FINDING YOUR VOICE AND MORE FOR READING ALOUD

Want to take your reading aloud skills to a whole new level and laugh all along the way?  Then, this workshop is for you.  Storyteller Jo Ho will teach techniques to communicate the mood and meaning of the story and characters through vocal variations, pacing, body positions, facial expressions, and eye contact.  Learn how to flavor your picture book story with accents or famous voice impersonations.  This highly acclaimed workshop premiered for the staff at Hallmark’s Kaleidoscope.  Handouts and suggested reading list provided.

 

LET'S DO A POEM 

It’s been said that poems are like puppeteers.  They pull the strings of children’s hearts, minds and bodies, and make them laugh, teary, curious and productive.  Lure your preschoolers into language by learning how to dramatize, personalize, and pantomime poetry.  Storyteller Jo Ho teaches this participatory workshop and has compiled a delightful collection of poems and lullabies for classroom use.  Handouts and suggested reading lists provided.

 

CHRISTIAN POETRY IN MOTION FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Storyteller Jo Ho demonstrates various dramatic methods of presenting Christian poetry and prayers. These techniques not only assist and prepare preschoolers for reading, but reinforce God's love and presence in everyday living. Related Bible verses are given for the poems and prayers.


TEACHING TRANSPORTATION TO PRESCHOOLERS THROUGH CREATIVE DRAMATICS

Jo Ho teaches delightful songs, finger plays, poems, stories, and games to help children develop a basic understanding of the many ways to travel. Participants in the workshop will learn to teach activities that involve methods of transportation by air, water, road, and rail. Handouts with lesson plans for classroom use are provided.


ME AND MY FAMILY
Kids discover their own uniqueness and connection with family when they learn the techniques of collecting, writing, and telling their own personal stories and stories from the family tree. Jo’s clever “Five Ways of Presenting Family Stories” will motivate kids to approach the art of storytelling with ease and excitement. (Grades 3 and up)

GETTING DRAMATIC!!
Using stories and drama games, Jo teaches students how to develop and strengthen communication skills using the 4 P’s:


Students that get the 4 P’s feel better about asking and answering questions, participating in class discussions and presentations, and public speaking. A student presentation of a popular picture book is done as a culminating activity. (Grades K and up)


IMPROV WORKSHOP FOR YOUTH
Tone your creative thinking and acting skills in this fun and energizing improvizational workshop. Local actress and storyteller Jo Ho presents some challenging and quick thinking drama games designed to strengthen on-the-spot performing. Participants pair up and group up to develop unique plots and characters and thinking skills are put to the test in several zany improv exercises. Bring your sense of humor and creativity for an hour of laughter!


DEVELOPING A CREATIVE DRAMATICS PROGRAM FOR YOUR CLASSROOM
In this highly active workshop, participants will learn how to design a 30-45 minute creative dramatics session for 3-8 year olds.  Instructor Jo Ho will teach several activities and exercises using movement, music, stories and imagination games.  The workshop attendees will have the opportunity to brainstorm creative ways to have children "act out" a picture book.  This workshop is 90 minutes and state approved for 1.5 credit hours.


TEN WAYS TO TELL BIBLE STORIES
Learn ten creative ways to tell Old and/or New Testament stories! Perfect workshop for Bible School teachers or parents wishing to enrich a child's understanding of biblical principles. All techniques presented involve interaction between teacher and child and introduce the listener to principle figures from the Bible.


BEGINNING STORYTELLING FOR ADULTS WORKING WITH YOUTH-
In this participatory workshop, attendees will learn basic storytelling techniques through voice, body, and movement exercises. Jo will demonstrate how to develop, tell, and incorporate stories into a curriculum and daily lesson plan. The workshop also includes instruction on story mapping and the opportunity to tell a 1-2 minute tale.


SEASONAL PLAY
Preschool, early elemenatry, or home schoolers learn creavtive ways to introduce to their children facts, delightful literature, and fun dramatic play for each of the four seasons. Jo presents a workable lesson plan for each season that includes a story to tell, a picture book story to read or act out, a song or poem with movement, a dramatic play activity, and facts about each season. A 90 minute workshop, state approved for 1.5 credit hours.