The Cat in the Hat and his friends at the Homestead Branch Library welcomes St. Patrick's Day with some hat making fun:

THE FRIENDLY LEARNING THEATRE COMPANY IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER DONATED STORYTELLING PROGRAMS TO.  IF YOU ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT MAY WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A DONATED PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT KATIA GOMEZ AT 786-303-4036 FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND CONSIDERATION.  THANK YOU! 

ARTICLE:

A Better Way to Educate through Storytelling! (excerpt included herein)
By: Indiana Bones

STORYTELLING is the way we learn naturally; it conveys emotions as well as information.

Have you ever noticed that when you’re being crammed with facts and information only a certain amount tends to stick in your brain and the rest just disappears into some type of informational overload ether? However when you’re told a story with the facts in context, more information is actually retained. This could easily be attributed to the fact that just like with our emotions, human brains are “hard wired” for stories.

Even before the evolution of language and words, humankind found that the best way to pass on information was through stories. The early “caveman or cavewoman” would communicate their stories with sound, movements and gestures. Then deep into the night in front of the light of the fire (of course, this was after fire was brought down from the heavens by an avatar) early storytellers would emotionally convey exciting stories of the big hunt or other significant adventures of the clan. In this fashion information was passed on, taught if you would, to the next generation....

Storytelling can be an incredible teaching tool. In the classroom, the role of storytelling can go far beyond the acquisition of literature. I believe this is due to the additional emotional content that can be delivered through a story. Information that is then even more thoroughly retained, because the input of facts is received on an emotional as well as an intellectual level , this allows for the new information to be stored in a much deeper part of the memory within the human brain. Because of this often overlooked fact, I feel that oral storytelling should be considered one of the better ways to educate and teach information. It can be used in all aspects of learning if applied properly...

We hope you enjoyed this article excerpt.  To find and read the rest of this article, you may access it via the source link below:

Source:  http://storyteller.net/articles/243 


 Program Related Links:
 The links included below are additional resources to enhance our storytelling programs.   Enjoy! :)

Holiday Craft Finder:

Are you looking for just the right holiday craft for your child that is age appropriate and with the right level of difficulty?  Well this website's crafts finder has your answer...

http://www.kaboose.com/

Biographical History - Featuring Helen Keller

Did you know that there was an online interactive Helen Keller museum for children?  Here is a link to the Helen Keller Kids Museum Online for children to explore.  Children are able to ask Helen Keller's great grand-niece questions about Helen Keller.  Visit this great interactive website and learn more about this incredible woman.  Here is the link:

http://www.afb.org/braillebug/hkmuseum.asp

One of the most extensive collections of Helen Keller's artifacts and biography may be found in the American Foundation for the Blind's website.  You may view with your child actual letters written by Helen Keller and many photographs of Helen Keller.  You may view this website by clicking on the link below:

http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=1

Biographical History - Featuring Louis Braille

Would you like to learn some interesting facts about Louis Braille and to find out what sort of celebrations are being planned all around the world this year to celebrate his 200th Birthday?  Check out this great website at:

http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/louis/global_events.html


Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration of 2009

This link walks children through the life of Abraham Lincoln.  On February 12th, 2009, we celebrate his 200th birthday.  This is a great opportunity for children to learn about a man that was a great leader and president.  Have your child click on the link below for more this easy to follow biography...

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/presidents/lincoln/youth_1

Environment Awareness:

This is a great portal developed by the United States Federal Government for children.  The portal is a one source stop for children and classrooms interested in learning more about the environment as a whole.  It has numerous links to choose from for children.  Enjoy!

http://www.earthday.gov/kids.htm

Bullying Prevention

Are you a child that is affected by bullying?  Do want to learn some tips on how to handle a bully?  Here is a great link put together by the Health Resources and Services Administration that can help children learn how to take a stand against bullying...

http://www.bullyingresources.org/main/index.asp?area=main



Other Links:

BLUEDOG - School of Acting For Kids               

Bluedog’s ultimate mission is to educate and guide the students to work, develop, and strengthen their craft while encouraging verbal communication; mental spontaneity; tolerance; patience; self-confidence; social interaction; and a better understanding about themselves, while furthering the student’s creativity in a free, unconditional, safe, nurturing and fun environment.

Click on the link below for more information on their classes, location and schedule...
www.BluedogActing.com


NO SLEEVES MAGIC (from Wilmington, North Carolina)

No Sleeves Magic is offering magic shows to our clients.   All of their productions have been tested in front of thousands of adults and children across North Carolina, California and Florida, so don’t miss out on the best entertaining magic show that your children will love.  You may contact us at The Friendly Learning Theatre Company for prices and availability. 

You may visit our Winter Season Programs page for a description of the two magic shows available in South Florida and you may also want to visit their website directly for further information on their Company at www.nosleevesmagic.com .

ANDREW TOFFOLI (a Children's Book Author)

Andrew Toffoli, created the  hi·stories® presents series to serve as a teaching tool to expose young children to history.

The mission of hi·stories® presents is to educate children about history while using imagination and humor to teach valuable life lessons. Andrew
 was inspired by his love of family, art, history and teaching.  Andrew's friendly stories are a great way to teach children about history. Loveable animal characters coupled with engaging illustrations make these books a unique learning experience.  The books include, Christopher Cowlumbus, Bengalmin Franklin, Michelangelo Bunnyrroti and Lionardo Davinci and debuting in the Fall of 2009: George WashingTON

If you are interested in one of Andrew Toffoli's author programs, you may contact visit his website at  www.littlegerm.com.  Let's learn some history with Andrew Toffoli!!


Rex Art  

If you are in need of quality art supplies for you or your little ones, Rex Art is your stop.  You may order supplies from them online at  http://www.rexart.com/.  The Friendly Learning Theatre Company shops for art supplies at Rex Art.



We hope you enjoy our links! :)

 

     

 

 

 

             

 

        

 

        

 

        

 

 

        

 

        

 

        

 

        

 

        

 

        

 

     

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

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