Programs
The Story Lady in Action
Story Visits
PRESCHOOLS AND CARE CENTERS - Ali's high-energy storytimes get children involved in the fun through movement, sound effects, and lots of imaginative play. A visit from The Story Lady runs about 30-minutes and includes an original tale, poems, and songs. Each story session follows a theme, typically connected to the school calendar or season of the year. Ali specializes in entertaining younger children ages 2-6.
Author Visits
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - When The Story Lady visits your school, students will watch a 30-45 minute story show followed by classroom author chats. The discussions cover a range of information about writing and storytelling. Ali talks about her writing process including idea generation, drafts, and editing. She also shares some of the original illustrations that appear in her picture books. The show and chats are best suited for K-1st graders. Ali also offers author chats for students 2nd-5th grade.
Workshops
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TEACHER WORKSHOPs - Ali visits preschools and care centers offering continuing ed workshops for teachers. During the 1-hour sessions, educators explore ways to incorporate the performing arts into their early childhood classrooms. Ali shares easy to use songs, movements, and imaginative play activities that can be used throughout the school day. Many of the workshop rhymes and activities come from her resource book, Smiles & Wiggles: A Year of Imaginative Fun
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STUDENT WORKSHOPs - 1-hour student workshops give children a quick peek at storytelling and theater basics. Students will explore story creation and performance through high-energy theater games and activities. Ali will touch on topics like the parts of a story, stage presence, and facial expression.
Camps
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5 DAY CAMP - ARTVENTURE - During these week-long summer camps at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, students are guided through a group writing process that begins with brainstorming on day 1 and ends with a finished story and performance on day 5. Using theater games and movement activities, Ali focuses on concepts like stage presence, facial expression, and working as a team. Campers also make their own costumes and work together to create the show's scenery and props. Stay tuned for ArtVenture camp registration info.
