The Storytelling Round Table at the 2016 Texas Library Association Conference in Houston helped sponsor renown storyteller and mime, Antonio Rocha (pronounced Hosha with a short o sound). His TLA pre-conference workshop was titled "Beyond the Voice: Using Movement, Expression and Mime in Storytelling."  My head is still spinning with Antonio's tips on incorporating mime in our storytelling journey. With permission from Antonio, I thought it best to blog about this unforgettable day in hopes that what was taught will be practiced often until we can try out some of the movements at a storytelling event in the future.

Antonio worked with us on pulling a rope, opening a door, and using our eyes! I've included clips to help you see what was taught.

Thank you Antonio for sharing your passion with us. You make it all look so easy when in fact, it's a lifetime of constant interaction with the world, research, practice, and finally the beautiful portrayal of story you share with us on stage. Thank you!

I was fortunate to present this workshop at the 2016 Tejas Storytelling Conference in Waco June 2016. The theme of the conference was "Bridging Our Differences: Embracing Our Diversity" My inspiration came from children' author, Grace Lin's Ted Talk on Windows and Mirrors through reading. Grace Lin is a wonderful  children’s author who presented the best Ted Talk ever regarding books on all of our shelves. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is one of my favorite books! I l realized storytelling could easily be substituted for books. Gist: Kids need storytelling to be mirrors, making connections to what they hear and see. But they also need storytelling to be windows. Kids who always see themselves in stories need to be able to see things from other view points. By empathizing and sharing, kids can see outside of themselves. Look at the stories you tell – is there a balance of windows and mirrors? 

I included various activities that have been used quite successfully in the classroom preK - 12th grade to help our students see both the window and the reflection of themselves and others through story. I've attached the files below rather than make this blog much longer. Please try them out. Each activity works in all curriculum contents.  

The gem of all gems for me was a website I uncovered just a week ago. It's called The Literacy Shed- sharing visual literacy ideas and tips. These short animated clips are placed in categories and most are without words. What a perfect beginning for storytellers and writers. So many of these stories allow us to walk in others' shoes while at the same time making connections with our own lives. Coolest website ever!!!

It's always nice to hear other contributions to this subject, new ideas and old ideas that we've forgotten about. Please share!

Photo Credit from photopin.com: ​photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38991571@N00/27496469035">Cute Baby fat</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)</a>