WORKSHOPS

For Students, Teachers and Parents
All workshops for students  contribute  beautifully  to PYP programs of inquiry and Language Arts curriculum. Workshops can be tailored specifically to where your students are  in their studies and development.  All workshops are interactive and enjoyable and are presented in a comfortable, supportive and non- judgmental style.
 

WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS

The Bing Book

The Bing Book is meant  to inspire students’ participation in the creative process by giving them a set of tools they can use to nurture and develop their own imagination and creative voice. Students learn that their ideas come from a unique inner voice, Courtney calls their “ inner app.” An inspiring idea is like a lightbulb turning on inside your head, which Courtney calls a bing! Using her engaging storytelling style, Courtney shares how she attentively listens to her own inner app, writes down emerging ideas, and then develops them her Bing Book. 

The Bing Book Workshop--Where do Ideas come from?  What do you do once you have an idea? This is an excellent workshop for all disciplines. 

Workshop Length: 45-60 minutes -Suitable for first through fifth grade and years two through six

 Student’s dig deeper into  the Bing Book concept. They will be given their own Bing Books ( books with empty pages) and will have time to work in them using the tools they are given to develop their ideas.  Some people hear their ideas while others see images in their heads. Students will learn to recognize and pay attention to their own inner voice ( Courtney calls it your inner app.) Students will play improvisation games that stimulate imagination and encourage them to believe in their ideas no matter how out of the box they may seem. They will learn there is no  such thing as a bad idea. It is important to write  all ideas down and avoid censorship.  Sometimes the craziest ideas turn out to be really good ones!

Songwriting

This workshop is for  writing lyrics.  Using principles from the Bing Book workshop students will be encouraged to recognize that they have an inner creative voice and will be encouraged to develop the habit of listening to it.   They will write down ideas, learn about the creative process and how to take idea and turn it into a finished product. They will write a short, four sentence song. They will be encouraged to keep on  writing  listening to  and trusting that inside voice.

Storytelling

Learning to tell stories contributes to language development, a student’s wellbeing, confidence in speaking in front of others, love of language, writing and story. Storytelling helps students make sense of the world inside and outside of them and is a wonderful support for social and emotional learning.  It is also really enjoyable.

Storytelling Workshop
Workshop Length: 45-60 minutes -suitable for kindergarten through fifth grade and year one through six

When we tell stories we have to be expressive.  Students will learn and practice basic storytelling techniques. They will play games and do exercises that focus on being expressive.  They will participate in a story circle where they  make up stories.  This is a highly interactive and fun workshop.

 WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS
Workshop Length: 60 to 90 minutes 
Storytelling for the Whole Family
Storytelling is enjoyable and important for families to do together. Making up stories and telling together creates bonds that last forever. Making up stories together helps children develop their imaginations and confidence in sharing their ideas. Oh and, it's fun! Family stories are as important as family photos. It is important for parents and children to share stories from their lives together and individually. Storytelling helps children make sense of the world around them and inside of them. We will work on basic storytelling techniques and on ways to help children tell stories and to tell and make up stories together. We will also work on ways to build family story albums.