Can you believe that school has already started?!  Wow!  I feel as if I said "Good-bye" to the last groups of students just yesterday, and here it is already time to say "Hello" to the next bunch!

Like the wide-eyed children returning to school, I, too, am excited yet not without some trepidation.  Will they like me?  Did I prepare enough?  Are my buttons on straight?  Will my earrings stay on? 

A couple of years ago, (which was my first year as a storyteller), I was filling in for a fellow storyteller.  In the middle of my storytelling, one of my earrings flew off, slipped down my shirt and clanged onto the chair I was sitting on!  (If only I had a dollar every time that happened!  Well, I'd just have a dollar). 

Ignoring the mishap, I continued on.  While eying the faces, it seemed no one noticed and, with a slight-of-hand, I nonchalantly removed the other earring before it became some kind of projectile that could've resulted in who knows what!  I continued on and was able to finish, escaping detection successfully.  Even the teachers hadn't noticed!  (I think!)

As you continue on your storytelling journey, whether this is your first year or non-first year, I would like to encourage you that no matter what malfunctions you may encounter (within reason of course), just take a deep breath, focus and finish your task. It's likely that everyone is so engrossed in your story that only you will know what happened and then, at a later time, you can share with the rest of the class!

In the classroom, Judi Sammons pulls out an imaginary golden key before she tells her stories. She asks the children to listen and unlock their imaginations to see the stories in their minds and to listen for new vocabulary words.  They can also find hints about the story in something she brings or is wearing.

To begin her story, Judi put on a little red kimono and rang her magic bowl..its beautiful sound always lets her know the best story to tell!  "The Wise Woman and the Sky" is a tale from Japan. The story speaks of a long time ago when the sky was only blue by day, only black by night. In a village lived a little old woman whose eyes twinkled as she hummed and worked in her dear garden. The people always brought her their problems and questions for she was wise and always knew what to do. That is just what they did  when they noticed that pieces of the sky were falling out, leaving  big holes! The woman patiently set to work even when the people doubted her. A young boy faithfully helped her as she sent him to find nearly impossible items..thread as long as the ocean is deep, a mountain-tall ladder, all the while asking her, "Can you fix the sky?"  She always wisely replied, "We will have to wait and see". The woman patiently worked up on the ladder in the sky and had a marvelous idea. She called all off the  little fireflies in her garden to fly up and beautifully light the night sky.

Will the stories we Spellbinders lovingly prepare and tell light up the hearts and minds of our listeners? We hope so. We will have to wait and see. Thank you Judi for beautifully telling this sweet story!

                                                  

Anansi loved stories! He wanted to hear them all, but  Nyame, the Sky God, wanted all Stories only for himself. Anansi asked to buy the stories, and Nyame told him the he must bring him a Python, a Leopard, Hornets, (there's the Calabash!) and The Unseen Creature.  All are tremendous undertakings for a spider! With the help of his clever wife, Aso, Anansi was able to capture and bring all of these creatures to Nyame and obtain Stories! All the stories that were ever told or would ever be told, to spread to the world to you and to me.

How very lucky we are! Karen says that in some African cultures, people repeat important things three times. Thank you for sharing and telling this fine story so well Karen! It inspires us in our storytelling and  for the year ahead. Very Good! Very Good! Very Good!

Check out the Spellbinders Facebook Page!  If you've Liked our page you can find this awesome graphic there!  Share!

Nancy Hunter is filling in as the Storyteller Coordinator for the schools.  Contact her for placements and changes of contact information.  You can find her email address on the Mesa County Spellbinders Roster.

It was suggested that a list of 3 - 4 favorite stories from each storyteller could be a good resource to have in addition to stories that we currently have access to.  If you would like to participate in this activity, contact Swan Johnson with your name and stories.

Karen presented sign-up sheets at the August meeting.  She will circulate these again in September to give everyone an opportunity to choose an activity.

Jeannie Smith is in the process of updating our member roster. 

Special Events Coordinator, Jean Yale, has received information on a Special Event at New Emerson Elementary in January, 2015.  More information will follow.

For the September 18, 2014, meeting (a big "Thank You" to those of you who do this!):

A new Board roster will be shared after the Annual Meeting so stay tuned!

1 - Print out a district calendar from the school district website so that you know all holidays, teacher work days, testing days when you work with your teacher on setting your telling schedule for the year.

2 - Extra credit - Mark Teacher Appreciation Day on the calendar so you don't forget to say thanks!

3 - Ask your teacher if there are any children with special needs in the classroom so that you can plan enjoyable storytelling sessions for all the children.  Such special needs could range from religious sensitivities to hearing loss to fear of loud noises.

4 - Contact your teachers early in the school year to set up your telling schedule.  Some at the gathering suggested popping by during teacher work days before school starts while others suggested waiting until one week of school has passed.

5 - Once set, email your teacher the full schedule you agreed upon for the year but still always email 2 to 3 days before a storytelling session with a Subject Line along the lines of Looking forward seeing you Monday at 10 am.

6 - Coordinate with the other tellers in your school to plan for one of you to introduce the program for the Principal and thank her or him for the opportunity to serve the school. Be ready for this meeting with the results of Spellbinders teacher evaluation and fact sheet on Spellbinders and the Common Core Standards.  Consider using this teacher testimonial and this fact sheet on Spellbinders and the Common Core Standards for materials.

7 - Ask your teacher(s) if there are any subjects they would particularly like you to tell stories on certain months.  This can be a tricky one.  While most tellers can find a story they love on the night sky or growing plants, all tellers should avoid telling any story they don't enjoy.  So, try not to leave the conversation open to particular stories.  Here is a great sheet that Littleton Spellbinders uses.

8 - Ask your Chapter Leader(s) what help they need in opening new classrooms/finding placement for new volunteers.  You love telling stories.  But, it takes A LOT of behind-the-scenes work from those in leadership positions.  Your relationship with your teachers - who are friends with other teachers - puts you in the ideal spot to help your Chapter leadership find new classrooms for new volunteers.

Be clear with your teachers about your expectations of them, particularly staying in the classroom during the storytelling session.  Here is a great two-sided card that Littleton Spellbinders uses.

9 - Write a thank you note to your teachers.  Yes, you are generously providing a service to teachers.  However, they are swamped with requirements.  Some upfront kindness on your part will go along ways to a year of good communication.

10 - Ask them to share stories and anecdotes with you on the impact YOU make.