Storytelling

Where I have worked.

I tell stories almost anywhere:

In schools and librariesIn nurseries and crèches

In museums and art galleriesIn buses and barns

pubs and clubs, churches and community halls

In woods and on farms

On a pier and in Deep Sea WorldIn the dark at Hallowe’en

In a Mongolian yurt at the Royal Botanical Gardens at the Zoo

On a mountain in the RockiesOn an airstripRound a campfire

On a hunt for faeriesIn care homes and hospices

In a tent at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

At festivals and fairs from Orkney to the Borders

from Ayrshire to Aberdeen and all points in between.

I share stories with

Children of all ages - Toddlers to teens, teens to 90’s+
Grown ups and very serious adults.
Anyone who wants to listen.

Judy Telling an Amazing Story to Children

The Work I Do

I work in Schools, Libraries And Other Exciting Places. A Storytelling visit is made up of 2x 45 minute sessions for children. This allows for two classes or two library groups. For adults a session lasts 1½ hours.

Workshops

Schools

For P4 -S2 children I can introduce children to “Telling A Story” or “Creating a Story to Tell”. Half-day or full-day workshop.

Better results can be gained from repeat visits of between 4 and 6 sessions. Planning is done with the teachers and all notes are provided for the teacher’s Programme Planning.

Teachers And Librarians

Storytelling Courses are usually half day, full day or twilight sessions and will be tailored to meet requirements. Handouts are provided. I also run workshops on “How to Share a Book” for librarians.

Adult Learning

I have run workshops in Oral Storytelling skills leading to participants being able to write their stories. These stories were published in a booklet. Storylines Project- Fife Council Libraries & Adult Basic Education

Senior Citizens Storytelling and reminiscing with residents of sheltered homes in Fife.

Projects Past and Present

I've written a booklet for North Lanarkshire Council -“SHARING STORIES with your child - A guide for Parents and Carers”- providing hints and tips and stories for pre-school and infant children. In conjunction with this I and other storytellers told stories in Nurseries and P1’s and ran workshops for the parents.

I've made contributions of professional material for the Storytelling Workshops resource pack for the Scottish Storytelling Centre and also stories for “Tales on the Tongue” published by Scottish Storytelling Centre.

I have developed and piloted STORYBOXES, a tool for oral and listening skills for the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Storytelling Residencies

A year long project with a colleague at Pitreavie Primary School Dunfermline working with every class including Special Needs.

At Douglas Primary in Dundee for eight weeks worklng with P5 and P6/7.

A six week project working with P1,2, 4,5, 6 and 7 at Blackhall Primary Edinburgh.

St John The Baptist Primary, Uddingston for 4 weeks working with P3/4 and a second residency with P3 a year later!

What they’ve said

She told us stories. Silly stuff! It was good. It was funny. Megan

She was funny. I liked that. She was concentrating when she told us her stories. I liked the bit about the butter melting on the boy’s head. Elena

I really enjoyed The Red Etin. I also liked the story at the start. I am one in three because of my two sisters….I’m especially happy you told us about the threes because that means I’m the smart one! Joseph

I really enjoyed the story where the cat ate the bean and I can’t wait to tell you the ending I made up. Linsey

I told my two sisters all the stories and I did all the moves. It was the highlight of my week. Jacquetta.

If you had never came I would not have been writing stories and would not be confident. I liked telling stories. Now I even tell stories in my bed to my soft toy Lambsy, my lamb. Emma

Judy, I get warm inside and get a calm tingle, like tiny starts, when you are telling the stories. Kiera

STORYTELLING CLUB - Blackhall
Feedback from children and parents has been overwhelmingly positive and your support is greatly appreciated. Children have developed new skills and enjoyed working together to achieve joint goals. These experiences greatly enhance children’s self- confidence and broaden their horizons. Margaret Scott. Head Teacher

SCHOOL VISIT
I think it is fair to say that every stage gained something from their experience. The children are still talking of the stories you told them- and many have been most impressed by the fact that you were able to tell them stories without any kind of book! Alieen Wilson Assistant Head Teacher, Burnfoot Community School

COMMENTS FROM ADULT WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
Absolute Beginners Storytelling Workshop- Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Workshop was excellent. Judy was both a great storyteller and teacher.
The Course was excellent-even better than expected!
Judy was brilliant and easily won over participants. Certainly an eye opener for me- much more than expected.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT COURSES
The Course was inspiring and really enjoyable. It was well presented and the content was appropriate for Infant teachers.
Very effective in providing ideas for storytelling. Looking at different ways of using stories- cross curricula.
Very effective! Lots of practical ideas and great handout.
Very enjoyable to see a professional in action!

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