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I bring my guitar or ukulele for song accompaniment in both pieces.

NA

Children in audience shape. Any classroom will work. It's nice if we can all sit on a rug, and a basic chair for me, please, is much better than a rocking chair.

I can use gestures and movements to retell a story. I can recount folktales. I can inhabit an imaginary elsewhere. I can recount fables and determine a central lesson. I can use voice and sounds for characters. I can sing in a chorus with instrumental accompaniment.

I tell the Aesop's fable, "The Fox and the Crow" with original song (guitar or ukulele accompaniment) & students join in singing the refrain 4 times, with variations. My tellings are upbeat, lively and fun. They add character gestures (non-locomotor) to the tale as it unfolds. For example, they sing as if the fox is serenading the crow, complimenting her on her feathers, eyes, wrinkly feet, and finally, her singing voice. After, we move (locomotor) as the fox in the woods and the crow on the branch, and use character voices. We discuss the story and moral, building vocabulary. The playfulness and humor as well as storyline keep them engaged. Next we have a pretend character interview exploring point of view. I pretend we are in a TV studio, and a child pretends to be the fox and describe what happened it the forest--same for the crow. Children then become the interviewers and pose questions. They are great at this, asking the characters what they saw, heard, felt, etc. Apply this later with any story. Creates understanding of another's point of view, and empathy to help them be more cooperative in class in general. They really comprehend the story, learn what a fable is, and have a great time. They really pay attention throughout! This version brings out the humor!

I always look for ways to kindly and respectfully invite caregivers to be involved. Adult participation signals to children how to act, also that this activity is important for us at any age.