Teachers workshops

 We teach them how to discover a family story to share. The skills help them find stories in history and  encouraging teaching these skills to students.  

* A bugle (or picture of one) becomes a lesson in how bugles were used in the Revolutionary War. 

* A war time letter connects to a soldier's experience. 

* A civil rights protest demonstrates how very close students are to the history they read about. 

*Teachers initiate projects that involve students' discovering family stories - and in turn, spark greater enthusiasm for reading and writing.

Trail of Tears. Great Chicago fire. WWII medals.  Civil rights experiences. Prohibition "businesses". A relative who escaped a war zone. You'll be amazed at the variety of historical sparks that come from one workshop!  

Was it a story you lived or learned? What emotion connects you to this story? A very happy moment? A very sad day? Were you frightened? When you learned this story, were you proud? Amused? Humbled?  Bringing the emotion out connects you to the 'facts', and more importantly, will help you connect to the audience. 

Write the story out - or write the details to recall what you want to say. In what order do you want to reveal facts? Start at the end? Build to a dramatic finish? What details are important for the audience to understand in order to feel danger? Excitement? Sadness?

We help you practice stand-up skills that actors learn: how you manage your voice and your body. You are entertaining and communicating:  How do you go from 'telling' the story to 'connecting' the story with your students?