Workshops for Adults

Judy Sima is known across the country for her practical, interactive, hands-on workshops with educators, librarians, students and families. She is a frequent presenter at the National Storytelling Conference, American Association of School Librarians, Michigan Reading Association and Michigan Association for Media in Education. Judy is a leading authority on youth storytelling. With 20 years experience coaching students and adults, Judy has helped many others to become storytellers. Judy’s enthusiasm is contagious!

Workshops are tailor-made for your group and include an extensive handout and resource list.

 

Storytelling? Yes, You Can!

Leave this introductory workshop with the ability and confidence to tell stories immediately. (2-6 hours. Teens and adults)

Literacy Alive: Using Storytelling to Stengthen Language Skills

Discover projects and games that will help storytelling come alive in your classroom while strengthening literacy skills. (1-2 hours. Classroom Teachers and School Library Media Specialists)

Raising Voices: Encouraging Youth Storytellers

Learn how to encourage young storytellers through games, activities, group chants, and a structured story learning process. (1-2 hours. Teachers, Librarians, School Library Media Specialists, Recreation Instructors, Home School Providers, School-age Childcare Providers, Scout and 4-H Leaders)

Telling Stories to Tots n' Tweens

Learn how to tell stories to children, whether it’s for your own children, grandchildren, friends, or children you work with, including how to use props, participation, song and other ways to get children actively involved in the story. (1-3 hours. Librarians, School Library Media Specialists, Storytellers, Childcare Providers, Recreation Leaders)

Storytelling in Your Elementary Classroom

Make your lessons come alive and encourage the joy of learning in a way that excites and enthralls children. Learn how to integrate storytelling into all aspects of the curriculum from Language Arts to Science. (2-4 hours. K-5 classroom teachers)

Making Magic with Middle School Programs

Learn the who, what, why and wherefore of exciting learning programs guaranteed to make your Library Media Center the epicenter of the school. Includes: Book Club, Reading Quest, Battle of the Books, Reference Challenge, Book Circles, Brown Bag Seminars, Reading Advisors, keeping your staff happy and other ideas involving, students, staff, and community. (1-3 hrs. School Library Media Specialists, Grades 4-8 Classroom Teachers, Public Librarians)

Adding Action to Your Storytelling

Learn how to liven up your stories by adding actors, action, song, and interesting props as well as tricks for inviting your audience to join in and leave them begging to “do” it again. Includes four types of participation: Actors & Action, Peat and Repeat, Sing-along with Me, Puppets & Props
and more! (1-3 hours. Storytellers, Librarians, School Library Media Specialists, Childcare providers, Recreation Leaders, Scout Leaders)

Once Upon a Time...The Tools and Tales of Storytelling

Learn how to evaluate storytelling books to meet your needs. Explore the content and features of dozens storytelling books – including How-to-books, storytelling collections, philosophy, activity books, and sources for props. (1-3 hours. Librarians, School Library Media Specialists, Classroom teachers, and Storytellers)

Storytelling Intensive

Designed for small groups of individuals who want to spend time developing and perfecting a story of their choice. Each participant will receive an uninterrupted period of time to tell their story and receive individual and group coaching. (6 hours. Storytellers)

Storytelling Weekend at Your Place

Topics may include but not limited to: beginning storytelling skills, the business of storytelling, storytelling resources, personal narratives, coaching young storytellers, and storytelling in the classroom. Includes times for participants to tell stories and receive feedback and coaching. (1-3 days. Storytellers, Teachers, Librarians)

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Featured Workshop Presentations:

  • American Association of School Librarians – Birmingham AL 1999, Kansas City 2006, Pittsburgh 2005
  • Association of Independent Michigan Schools
  • Birmingham Storytellers Guild, 2006
  • Colvin Run Elementary School, Vienna VA - 2005
  • Detroit Story League Storytelling Festival – 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2007
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Huron Valley Chautauqua Historical Storytelling Program - 2001
  • International Reading Association – Chicago 2006; Toronto 2007
  • League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling’s Sharing the Fire - 1997
  • Macomb Area Association of State and Federal Program Specialists
  • Macomb Intermediate School District
  • Macomb Reading Council
  • Massachusetts School Library Association – 2006
  • Metro Detroit Reading Council
  • Metropolitan Detroit Science Teachers Association – 2000, 2001, 2002
  • Michigan Association for Media in Education – 1991, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • Michigan Education Association Instruction and Professional Development Conference 1995, 1996,
  • Michigan Library Association Spring Institute - 1997, 2002
  • Michigan Reading Association – 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004
  • Michigan School Age Child Care Conference – 1991,1992, 1998, 1999
  • Michigan Story Festival - 2003, 2006
  • Mid-South Reading and Writing Institute – Birmingham AL 2006
  • Missouri Association of School Librarians - 2001
  • National Storytelling Conference – Atlanta 1995, Indianapolis 1997, San Diego 1999, Kingsport TN 2000, Denver 2002, Bellingham WA 2004, Oklahoma City 2005
  • Northlands Storytelling Network Conference in Iowa and Wisconsin – 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006
  • Oakland Country Reading Council
  • Oakland Intermediate School District
  • Oakland University
  • Ohio Order for the Perpetuation of Storytelling – 1996
  • Rutherford County Librarians, Murfreesboro TN - 1997
  • Saginaw Area Reading Council
  • Storytelling in Education Central Michigan University – 1991
  • Storytelling Weekend in Shipshewana IN - 1996
  • Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2007
  • Wayne State University
  • Windsor, Ontario Board of Education - 1991