Family Stories abridged (2015)
Evening of Chautauqua Stories nonabridged (2015)
Fall 2013
Dec. 9, Ms. Roberts' third grade storytellers performed their Chautauqua family Characters during their Family Storytelling Night. Seventeen of 23 students came with their family members this evening. It was a successful and gratifying culmination of our storytelling project. UNM Coaches assisted their storytelling mentees to the microphone and it was obvious their was trust, mutual respect, and confidence with each other. There are many stories at the end of the night and I hope we all will continue to tell these stories as we remember just how special this night was to all of us. We began this storytelling project with the premise that the students' family stories were the content and context for our teaching. We validated that their stories are worth telling, remembering, and I hope telling again and again. The Daily Times Education Reporter Joshua Kellogg covered the event and spoke to UNM Coaches, Ms. Roberts and some of the young storytellers. The article is below in the attachments.
Fall 2012
On Dec. 3, students performed their Chautauqua family story characters at AndreaKristina's Bookstore & Kafe. Fourteen students (of 19) attended and took the mike couraegously as they delivered the gifts of their storiesto an audience of 60. Apache Elementary School Principal Debbie Braff was there along with their fourth grade teacher, Alberta Smallcanyon. Their UNM Coaches also performed their Chautauqua stories for the audience. A great culminating night representing dedicated teaching by UNM coaches and two months of consistent writing process work by fourth graders. Seepowerpoints of the night below.
On May 11, 2011 students read their Family Hero Story from their published copy, compliments of UNM San Juan Center. The gym was quiet as their gentle voices streamed across the microphone with their crafted words. Parents and family members were reading along in their child's copy while others intently listened as the story was about them-mother, father, uncle, grandmother. Two students recalled family members who are deceased. It was one of the most powerful experiences to date of our Family History project. Parents and grandparents shared with us about how moving the stories were and several brought tears to their eyes! See our program below. The Author Chairs are evidence that children have stories to tell and stories are potent ways to honor their background knowledge and assess their achievement.
On December 13, 2010 in the Village Square of Apache Elementary School, students performed their Chautauqua Characters for their parents. Attachments below capture the process.