“As soon as we finished the workshop with you, I was asking the headteacher to book you to come in and work with the children.” Drama teacher, participant in twilight training session on storytelling
“The children all benefited as they were engaged throughout the storytelling process. For many of the children, who may learn in different ways, it brough the story to life and made it easier to remember and visualise through the role play.” Year 3 teacher, Knavesmire Primary School, York
“I’ll definitely try some of the approaches you used in our literacy lessons – the children were really focused and absorbed.” Year 1 teacher, Carr Infants’ School, York
“Mrs Heinemeyer is brilliant!” Y1 Teacher, Hob Moor Primary School,York
Oral storytelling can open children’s (and adults’) eyes and ears to the world around them, and help them consider their own feelings and opinions about difficult issues – such as sustainability and environmental problems. It can stimulate critical thinking and creative responses to these topics.
This has never been more important, as schools are developing their ‘Sustainable Schools’ strategies in all subjects, and the new National Curriculum emphasises values, cultural awareness, empathy and thinking skills.
As ‘Nettlefoot Kate’ I work with groups of children and young people at a level appropriate to their age, and according to teachers’ own priorities for the session. Sessions invariably begin with a straight, vivid telling of a story for children to get inside. Movement, rhythm and language work, outdoor learning, musical, art and craft work, drama and discussion follow on from this.
I often:
* Tell stories outside in a natural setting to explore aspects of the area – its ecology, history or religious/spiritual significance (I often use storytelling to support Forest Schools work in schools or the outdoor playgroup I run)
* Use stories as a springboard for group drama work on a sustainability issue
* Help children research a story based on an issue or topic of concern to them and tell it themselves (individually or in groups)
I have worked as a storyteller in many primary and secondary schools and a wide variety of informal and formal settings, with all ages of children and adults. I hold an MSc in Education for Sustainability, public liability insurance and enhanced CRB disclosure. I have a First Aid qualification and have undergone (and greatly enjoyed) introductory training in Forest Schools.
To make enquiries or a booking, contact me on catherine.heinemeyer@googlemail.com or 01904 612418.
Some shows ready to perform in schools
I am always delighted to put together a programme to suit your school and areas of current interest to your pupils.
Some example solo workshops with schools
Map out a story. For Years 1-6. Duration: 1 hour to half a day
This activity is about entering into the world of a particular story, understanding how places and the natural environment affect how people think and act, really stepping into another’s shoes and walking in them. After telling the children a story with a rich landscape (for example, where a character makes an important journey, or where people from all over the village must unite to deal with the spirits of the bog), I work with them to create maps of the world of the story. They incorporate details from their own imagination, and use the maps to help them tell the story themselves. If time permits, we might also ‘map’ out the scenery on a much larger scale (e.g. the school gym), using props and cloths, and explore different parts and characters of the story together while walking around the landscape.
Journey to the Compost Kingdom: For younger children (Key Stage 1). Duration: 90 minutes – 3 hours.
The King and Queen of the Compost Kingdom are worried. Who will look after their people, and take care of the Mighty Compost Heap, when they are dead and gone? So they hold a competition. Young people from far and wide are invited to bring a gift to the Mighty Heap, and a story to go along with it. Whoever brings the best ones shall be the next ruler. Will it be the Princes and Princesses of the Land of Moneybags? Or the people of the City of Wastealot? Or someone else entirely?
Find me a story: for any age group. A partially outdoor workshop. Duration: anything up to one day.
Acting as explorers before becoming storytellers, individuals and groups go out looking for objects that might say something: a feather, an abandoned bird’s nest, a crisp packet, a strangely-shaped twig, a rusty nail. Then together we build stories out of them: a great big crazy one in the round, then more thoughtfully in small groups, maybe even individually, until we have really become experts on those objects and their role in our particular ecosystem. If time permits, a Story Walk is conducted by multiple storytellers as a final performance.
The Story of Felt: a stories-and-craft workshop for Key Stages 1 or 2. Duration: One or several half-day sessions. All equipment supplied.
Long ago, some shepherds noticed that their fleece shoes became matted on the inside when their warm, sweaty feet walked along in them. This material turned out to be strong and warm, and they soon found out how to make it beautiful. Working with different fibres, colours and techniques, children learn how to make felt and about the cultures who first made it. Each group clustered around their new piece of felt develop the story of their own piece and what it means.
