November, 2005

Native American stories and legends the focus of storytelling residency

Fourth-graders write down ideas for stories they will author based on Native American tales and legends.

The Schoharie Creek. Vroman's Nose. Howes Caverns. The Route 20 Swamp?!!

Fourth-graders brainstormed a list of local landmarks and geographic sites (many authentic, a few embellished) to weave into stories they are writing based on tales and legends they heard as part of an artist residency with Native American author and storyteller James Bruchac.

Fourth- and second-grade students learned about the use of fictitious monsters and real animals used in cautionary tales and lesson-teaching stories in the Native American culture.

"These types of stories served a purpose," said teacher Melissa Durrant. "They were told by parents and older family members to make children aware of dangerous areas and to discourage certain behaviors."
Bruchac split his four-day residency between grade levels. On the first day the animated storyteller shared tales from his many books including "When the Chenoo Howls," a collection of stories featuring scary monsters and important life lessons.
 
The second day was dedicated to writing workshops, where students learned about and put into practice key writing techniques.
Bruchac encouraged students to describe their monster with such detail that "someone else would be able to draw it." 
"Be sure to use looks, shapes, smells, and sounds," he suggested, reminding students that while their stories should be scary, "no guns, no knives… your stories should not contain violence."

Inspired by the brainstorming exercise with Bruchac, fourth-graders feverishly jotted down ideas for the cautionary tales they will create in class.

Fourth-grader Mikayla Wolken was looking forward to writing her own story, explaining how she and her classmates prepared for the workshops by reading many different Native American stories in class and writing summaries of what they read.

Nicole Engle had previously read books written by Bruchac, including "How Chipmunk Got His Stripes" and "Raccoon's Last Race."
"I like the stories," she said. "They're funny, they teach lessons and they're about animals."

Second-graders will publish their stories in hard-copy books, while fourth-graders will have their work published on simulated birch bark or another "traditional" material.

The stories will be exhibited at this year's Duanesburg Days celebration.

The Parent-Teacher-Student-Organization (PTSO) and the Duanesburg Education Foundation provided funding for the artist residency.

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