More Storytelling Resources

I love reading Aesop's Fables. As a matter of fact we use them for our narration,copywork and dictation lessons in our homeschool. The fables are short,to the point but teach important life lessons that children of any age can easily understand. I just ran across this site and thought it would be worth mentioning www.aesopsfables.comAlso check out www.storiestogrowby.com. and www.bestoflegends.org. Keep the kids busy this summer with storytelling,reading and writing.

Storytelling Games and Activities

There are a number of games to get your children or anyone else for that matter interested in storytelling. Try these activities with your family. Storytelling binds families together and provides entertainment while teaching your children family history,folktales or classic stories.Collecting Family Stories
Have students collect true tales about the "old days" by interviewing older relatives. Have students find out about the history of their families as far back as anyone can tell them.

Family stories are tales about people, places, and events related to families or their ancestors. Family stories casually talked about at the dinner table,or retold at family gatherings remind us of great epics or notable short stories. The memorable stories of our lives and of others in our family take on special importance because they are true, even if every persons perspectives of the these stories are different. These tales are family heirlooms held in the heart not the hand. They are a gift to each generation that preserves them by remembering them and passing them on. Go and start stories with your family today!!

Keep the Faith,

Great Storytelling Resources.

Here are some great storytelling sites with some awesome resources you may want to check out. Don't forget to go to http://www.kidswritebooks.com/ and sign up for all the give aways.

Aesops Fables online at http://tinyurl.com/msxkjj
Legends of America at http://tinyurl.com/5m4mg5 ( this is a great site if you love history)
Paul Bunyan:American Folklore at http://tinyurl.com/35htdo
Stories for the Seasons at http://www.h-net.org/~nilas/seasons/ (seasonal stories)
Education World.com at http://tinyurl.com/3xovo9 ( lesson plans on 10 characters from American Folklore--Pecos Bill,Daniel Boone,John Henry and more)

"To do with out tales and stories and books is to lose humanity's past,is to have no star map for our future."
-Jane Yolen

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Grand Opening Party and Everybody Is a WINNER!!

That's right!! This is our BIG GRAND OPENING PARTY. Everyone who enter will win so hurry on over to http://www.kidswritebooks.com/ or click on the link in the rt. sidebar for all the details. We are so excited about this program for you and your family. Not only can kids publish their own books but everyone in the family can. If you have any questions you can email from here or from the kidswritebooks site. Now,go and claim your prizes!!!

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Great Books For Families

This book comes from The Let's Make A Memory Series. From the description--There’s something tender, sacred and very special about family traditions. Some are inherited from past generations, and some are born within your own family. Either way, traditions create closeness and seal the ties that bind families together.

In Creating Family Traditions, Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson share their own ideas that will help make meaningful, long-lasting memories throughout the years to come. It’s packed with easy-to-do, fun-filled activities for holidays and special occasions through all the seasons of the year, and can be enjoyed by all, from toddlers to grandparents. This is the second book in the Let’s Make a Memory series.

This book shows how important and powerful family storytelling can be in a family. How it bonds families together and brings them closer. This tradition is all to lacking from our fast paced lifestyle. This book is a great reminder.

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Storytelling....A Gift to Give and Receive

Storytelling is the way we learn naturally. Stories connect generations to one another. Children love their parents or grandparents to tell them stories from when they were kids. For years stories have been told to convey lessons,to teach and to educate. Storytelling can be a incredible teaching tool where information is more easily retained. Telling stories along with reading and writing can all work together to bring a more rounded approach to learning. Historical facts embedded into a good story can result in students retaining more of the information. Storytelling can be powerful. It supports speaking and listening skills,motivates reading and writing and stimulates the imagination. Stories can teach,reinforce and introduce ideas and curriculum's in a more logical and creative way. Stories can teach important life principles and lift our spirits. Stories help us remember our past and allow us to live on for generations. Stories can be used to present and preserve our culture and heritage. In this fast paced world it is so important that we look back at where we came from and share that rich history with our children so that they will share with theirs. At my house I am always repeating stories that my parents told me or about events that happened when I was a child to my son.

A Cheyenne storyteller once said,"Stories are gifts. It is up to us to GIVE and receive them." Share Your Stories,

I'm An Author Writing Workshop Online Version

Great news!! The online version of I'm An Author Writing Workshop will be having it's grand opening soon. Head on over there and check it out at the link in the right sidebar. We will be giving away all sorts of prizes to celebrate,more on that later. You will not want to miss all the give-aways. Someone will win the whole program for FREE,yes that's right FREE so check back often.

The I'm An Author program is a children's writing residency program that culminates in a bound book and has been created for use in the public/private school system, on a large scale. This is a great summertime activity for your kids and if you homeschool this online program would be a great writing program for next year.

We can help you,find,capture and publish your own book on any subject you choose, the sky is the limit. I just finished a family history book and my son is working on a book about his dogs. So anyone can publish their own book. I am so excited about this program for kids. I'm An Author will boost their confidence when they see their own story as a published book.

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Online Version of I'm An Author Writing Program Coming Soon

Extra, Extra, I have exciting news. The I'm An Author Writing Program (Online Version) will be up and running soon. If you are not familiar with the program, I'm An Author" is a 3-phase educational program that teaches children how to find, capture and share their stories through the art of oral storytelling, writing, illustrating and publishing their own story. The program will be entirely web based and will include a teachers page,tutorials and all the tools you will need to teach you children the I'm An Author Program which will result in a published book for your children. Your children will learn great skills putting their books together and getting them ready to publish. Working in the publishing center and watching their stories come to life will give them confidence in their writing skills. Adding pictures,artwork will allow them to put their own stamp on their book.Parents you can make their own books as well. The publishing certificate in the program allows you to make as many books as you would like and you will pay as you publish them. Here are a few ideas for books.VacationsFamily HistoriesFamily GatheringsBest FriendsHobbiesCollectionsRecipesTributeBaby Boy or GirlWedding You only limited by your imagination. More information will be coming soon on this exciting program. If you would like to be notified when we are up and running,comment here with your email address and we will keep you updated.
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The 912 Project--Join The Movement

Do you Cherish the Principles and Values upon which our great nation was founded?

Remember the way we were on September 12th? We weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were just Americans, banded together. Flags were waving and people were coming together in the spirit of all things American. Reclaim that spirit while you chronicle your own personal 9-12 journey. Chronicle your journey through each of the 12 values from the 912 Project. This 28 page journal will feature your own notes, photos and artwork on each page. Each value page features a quote from one of our founding fathers. Go here to join to get started with your journal today.

1.America is Good.
2.I believe in God and He is the center of my life.
3.I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4.The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5.If you break the law, you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6.I have a right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results
7.I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8.It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion
9.The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me

12 Values
Honesty
Sincerity
Reverence
Moderation
Hope
Hard Work
Thrift
Courage
Humility
Personal Responsibility
Charity
Gratitude

Do you agree with at least 7 of these 9 Principles?
Then you're a nine-twelver.

















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Getting Boys To Read Without Threatening Bodily Harm!!!

If you are looking for Father's Day ideas go here. If you have sons and can't get them to read without threatening bodily harm then you may want to read this article. I thought it was quite interesting. .Mike McQueen from http://www.gettingboystoread.com/ list several easy tips for getting boys to read.


Getting Boys to Read - Quick Tips for Parents, Librarians, and Teachers
Submitted by Mike McQueen from Getting Boys To Read .com
This is a growing list of general quick tips for getting boys to read. Check back frequently as this list will grow. I will post these to my Twitter and Facebook as well.

1.Most boys prefer to read NON-FICTION. Learn more at http://GettingBoysToRead.com
2.It's critical to RESPECT a boy's reading interests, even if we think it stinks. Learn more at http://GettingBoysToRead.com
3.Most boys prefer things that are SHORT, like Tweets :-) Learn more at http://GettingBoysToRead.com
4.Boys love MAGAZINES! They are chunkable and informative. Learn more at http://GettingBoysToRead.com
5.Boys like to DISCUSS things they read, but are often shy. Ask questions, engage them. Learn more @ http://GettingBoysToRead.com
To see the rest of the list,please visit http://getttingboystoread.com


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Show Your Dad How Special He Is.

Not sure what to get that awesome dad or husband for Fathers Day? Why not show him how special he is by writing a story for him or about him and having it published? What an wonderful tribute for your dad or husband. A published book would be a gift he will cherish and then be able to pass it on to future generations.Here are a few ideas

Make your dad or husband a Tribute Book.
Do you have a special occasion or vacation with your dad or family?
Is your dad or husband a sports fan? Make him a book about his favorite team or sport.Maybe you already have a story that you just need to publish. You can add photos,text or any memorabilia that can be scanned to your book
Make your Dad a family history book.The possibilities are only limited to your imagination. Visit my store at the link at the top of the page and purchase a publishing coupon and you can be working on your dad's book in matter of minutes. Tell me how you are going to spend your Father's Day.

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In Color by Jamey Johnson

Listen to the words of this song. It is such a powerful example of story,memories,and traditions in our lives. It is so important to write your memories down so they can be passed on and enjoyed by generations to come. Enjoy the song and if touches,inspires you or rekindles some old memory I would like to hear about it.
Keep the Faith,

Memories for Monday

In the past few days I have been working on a family history book for my family. Looking through all of the old photographs has brought back so many memories for me. I want to hear your memories,traditions and stories. I love hearing about other people's families and I know there has to be more people like me out there. Comment to this post with a link to your blog post where you share a memory,story,tradition or pictures. Let's keep our family history alive!!!




"Do you remember when....."bonds people together far more than shared chromosomes.
Daniel Taylor.

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Strangers in the Box

Strangers in the Box.

I wish I knew the people

These strangers in the box

Their names and all their memories

Are lost among the socks.

I wonder what their lives were like,

How did they spend their days?

What about their special times?

I'll never know their ways.

If only someone would have taken the time,

To tell who,what,and when,

Those faces of my heritage

Would come to life again.

Pam Harazim (rev)

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Hitting The Road This Summer??

Hitting the road this summer? Taking a cruise,plane or train? Heading to the tropics or mountains? Wherever your journey's takes you you are sure to make tons of memories with your friends and family. To remember your daily activities take along Story Dailies.Story Dailies are 16 story leaves that are designed to help you write your story one day at a time. Each card has several questions,take a few minutes each day to answer one or a combination of questions. When you are done with each one you can add a photo,postcard or any other memorabilia from your trip. Now,this is the cool part, you can let each person on your trip fill out one and at the end of your trip you have a nice journal of your trip from each persons perspective or do it all yourself, either way you will have a fun reminder of your trip. By completing a card daily you are sure not to miss anything that happens on your trip. Another idea is once you get home is to use the Vacation Story Starter to write your vacation story.These also have lots of questions to get your vacation story started. Here' the best part once you have your story written and your photos and memorabilia ready to go(remember anything you can scan into a jpeg image can go in your book.
Use our Vacation Designer Book to publish your own Vacation Memory Book.

I hope you have a great vacation wherever your travels take you. Keep your memories for a lifetime so you can relive your trip over and over again. Email me with any questions or comments. I offer many options to help you get your memories preserved.
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Tribute Book

I started my Family Tribute book at the publishing center. I just wanted to share the first page .I was not exactly sure where I wanted to start since you could go back several generations. I decided that for this book I would start with my grandparents. I will go back and start another book on our ancestors after I am done with this one. I am very excited about starting this book. I am going to make one for each of my siblings and my parents. Except for one of my grandparents all of them has passed away before my kids were even born. This Tribute book will be a way for my kids to know a little bit about them.

I wanted to show a page that was not completed. You can add photos to the red boxes and text to the green boxes. You can also change the templates to add more pictures or text.
To get started on your own story visit my store at the link above. Have questions or comments drop me a comment or email.
Keep the Faith,

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I have been going through all my old pictures from when I was a kid and boy it has been an experience. Looking at pictures of me when I was in first grade which was ?** years ago but in a way seems like only yesterday. I am splitting them up into groups of each child ,scanning them into my computer and uploading them into a family history book. I also have a bunch of old pictures of my great great grandparents that I am so excited about being able to put those is a published book so that my children's children can pull those books down from a shelf one day and get to live a little bit of history through them. If you have some old pictures consider putting them into a nice bound book . Here are a few of mine .

Me and my sister.

My grandparents at their 50th wedding anniversary.
Me in 8th grade.

Me in about 4th grade.

Me in about 2nd grade.

Me in about 1 st grade

My other grandparents.
Me in about kindergarten.

Old Family pictures. I am not sure of the dates of these right now. I just thought they were cool.


I do know that this is my great great grandfather who fought in the Civil War. This made Jackson very excited since he is studying The Civil War right now.

I will share more pictures soon as well as screen shots of putting the books together online at the publishing center.

Keep the Faith,

I

Budget Friendly Sets

Looking for a way to write your story or help your kids write their own stories? Do you want to write a book about your school year or an accomplishments of one of your kids? You can write a book about any subject,you can add photos,memorabilia,artwork,anything that can be scanned can be uploaded into your book. I put together a set to get you going and save you money at the same time. The set includes: The Sassie Binder,The Writing and Publishing Guide,Notebook pages,Story Pockets and a $29 publishing coupon. The binder will help you keep organized. The pages and story pockets will allow you to keep your story,photos and memorabilia together. The publishing certificate can be used for a 5x 7 24 page soft bound book,which can be upgraded to hard bound. Click on My Store for my information.

Keep the Faith,