 Name: Mary Jo Huff
Location: Newburgh, Indiana
E-mail: maryjo@storytellin.com
Web: www.StoryTellin.com
1. Specific place story was shared:
Elementary School on Aug. 29 and Daniel Wertz Elemtary School on Aug. 30.
The students were introduced to the stories in the box and listened to stories before they wrote their own
stories. Friday, Aug. 31 the box was explored by students at the University of Southern Indiana. The
RiverTown StoryTellers OOOOOHED and AGHHHHHED on Tuesday, Sept. 4. On Sept. 5 Mary Jo and the box traveled
to the University of Evansville to be explored by the education students. On Sept. 7 the box was introduced
to all 5th grade students at Chandler Elementary school. The students read stories and listened to the
stories before writing their own stories. They are in the midst of a 6 train writing project.
On Saturday, Sept. 8 the Story Box was featured at the Literacy
Day event sponsored by the Courier & Press Newspaper.
This has been a community event and the entire experience has
enabled hundreds to get a small taste of storytelling and the power of writing stories.
2. Biography:
Mary Jo Huff is an award winning Author, Storyteller, and Early
Childhood Consultant. Mary Jo does Keynotes around the country on the power of language and is passionate
about literacy. She also presents workshops, staff development, family nights, puppet play along with
storytelling for adult audiences. Mary Jo has produced an awarding DVD, Storytelling CD and authored award
winning resource books.
3. How did you share the stories in The Story box?
The box was placed on a table for the students and adults to
examine. Stories were picked out and read. In the Elementary Schools Mary Jo told stories with each group.
The project was explained at every site that was visited.
4. How did you add to The Story Box?
There is an additional StoryBox traveling with the original big
box. Since the Story Box was with so many children there was not enough room for our projects. A new purple
box was included and place in the mailing container. We have stories from young students and college
students. A DVD was added along with information from our literacy group.
5. How did you take care of The Story Box?
The Story Box was on the go so it had a place of honor in my
van with a seat belt to keep it safe.
6. What would you remind or recommend to someone who is caring for the box?
Prepare for the box ahead of time. Make contacts and arrange
for an introduction to storytelling.
I would recommend taking good care of all contents and putting
them in envelopes to protect the paper. Play the CDs or DVDs and enjoy the experience. Tell stories from
the box and introduce the areas of the world that the box has visited. We used a world map and the children
had a better understanding of where the box has been and where it is going. Also, repair the box before
sending it forward.........it will become fragile. |
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