The following teacher in-service training workshops are MO/KS approved 1.5 clock hours (90 minutes) and detailed handouts are provided.

 

Scroll down for youth workshops.

 

Teacher workshops:

Polly, Turn the Water Off!  An Environmental Awareness Program for Preschoolers

 In this environmental education participatory workshop, teachers will learn activities that offer young children active involvement -- hands-on manipulation, sensory engagement, and self-initiated explorations.  Fun role-playing activities will engage young children to show care and respect for plant life, animals, and outdoor habitats for birds and wildlife.  Additional stories, songs, poems, and crafts will teach children proper ways to dispose of trash, recycling, and reusing materials.

 

ADAPTING PICTURE BOOKS INTO PLAYS

Teach children to develop their language and vocabulary skills and learn to express emotion as they portray the roles of characters in a book.  In this participatory workshop, instructor Jo Ho will demonstrate how to adapt children’s stories into plays.  Picture books, fables, fairytales, and even poems offer an easy division of roles and interesting dialogue among characters for young children.  You’ll learn how to script a story, preparing students for a non-memorized re-enactment along with simple costume, set, and prop ideas.  Combined with your creativity and a child’s imagination, any one of your student’s favorite books could be ripe for a stage debut.

 

FUN WITH THE CALDECOTTS

Since 1938 books receiving the Caldecott have been recognized for their “joyousness of picture books as well as their beauty.”  In this participatory workshop, instructor Jo Ho will demonstrate how to present a Caldecott for Story Circle along with craft activities, songs, finger play, poems, creative movement, group discussion questions, related reading, and dramatic play.  Award winners include Owl Moon, Make Way For Ducklings, The Funny Little Woman, and more!

 

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.  Learn 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. 

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.  In this participatory workshop participants will receive collection of poems and lullabies for classroom use. 

 

CHRISTIAN POETRY IN MOTION FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Workshops attendees learn various dramatic methods of presenting Christian poetry and prayers. These techniques not only assist and prepare preschoolers for reading, but also reinforce God's love and presence in everyday living. Related Bible verses are linked to the poems and prayers.

 

TEACHING TRANSPORTATION TO PRESCHOOLERS THROUGH CREATIVE DRAMATICS

Have fun with 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.

 

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.  Several activities and exercises using movement, music, stories and imagination games will be presented.  The workshop attendees will have the opportunity to brainstorm creative ways to have children "act out" a picture book.  

 

TEN WAYS TO TELL BIBLE STORIES

Learn ten creative ways to tell Old and/or New Testament stories!  This is an excellent 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.  Clock hours for Missouri.

 

 

BEGINNING STORYTELLING FOR ADULTS WORKING WITH YOUTH

In this participatory workshop, attendees will learn basic storytelling techniques through voice, body, and movement exercises. Demonstrations are given on 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 and early elementary teachers learn creative ways to introduce to their children facts, delightful literature, and fun dramatic play for each of the four seasons. Participants receive 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.

 

 

 

TEACHING PRESCHOOLERS HOW TO TELL STORIES

 

 In this preschool literacy workshop participants will learn 10 fun and creative ways to get preschoolers “telling.”  Jo will demonstrate unique methods of helping young children express themselves through stories using familiar objects, paper shapes, musical instruments, books, pictures, movement, and imagination games. 

 

 

TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

 

Give students a wonderful gift!  In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn stories, poems, songs and Bible verses that in turn can teach young children about the vital Christian character traits of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  Clock hours for Missouri.

 

THE SCHOOLYARD CIRCUS PLAY

 

This unique activity makes the teacher the ringmaster and the students the elephants, tigers, tight ropewalkers, prancing ponies, clowns and more!  Learn circus songs set to familiar tunes and delightful circus acts designed to enhance motor skills, teamwork skills, and character development for the young child.  Detailed instruction for each song and act with costume and set ideas included in workshop presentation.  The Circus Play has been used as a successful family night fund raising event for schools.

 

 

SHOW ME CHARACTER-ACTING OUT PICTURE BOOKS WITH POSITIVE CHARACTER TRAITS

 

Discover fun and innovative ways to instill in young children the character traits of caring, courage, generosity, optimism, and more, all known to promote success and happiness in life.  Using children’s literature as a comprehensive approach, Jo teaches methods for reflection and response to the story.  Learn activities, including discussion and role- playing, to prompt and nurture students in these traits.

 

 

YOUTH WORKSHOPS

 

 

MY FAMILY AND ME

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)

“the family jewel” (there’s one in every family)

“history hanging on the clothesline” (storytelling using family heirlooms)

“my favorite recipe” (holiday dinner stories)

“in Grandma’s shoes” (dressing up like a relative)

“why just yesterday” (taking a joyful look at daily living)

 

 

GETTING DRAMATIC!!

 

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

 

Pronounce (teaching kids to speak clearly)

Project (teaching kids to speak up)

Poise (teaching kids to speak confidently)

Personality (teaching kids to speak with spunk)

 

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 improvisational workshop.  With 30 years of teaching drama, Jo 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. Lots of laughter guaranteed!