Besides her author talk with slides, Judy teaches storytelling, creative writing, and creative dramatic classes and workshops at a variety of venues. In addition to teaching at three colleges, Judy conducts her programs at schools, libraries, conferences, and wherever she is invited. Participants appreciate her informal, enthusiastic style, with maximum group interaction as she shares her knowledge.

1. STORYTELLING – A program that features age appropriate stories (myths, legends, folktales, etc.) interspersed with the various techniques and strategies of telling a story. A brief background of storytelling is included, as well as the awareness that storytelling, like music and dance, is an art form.

2. IT’S ALL IN THE TELLING – Participants will learn how to find a story to tell, embellish and make adaptations, work it with storytelling techniques, and finally tell the story. An excellent workshop for teachers, lawyers, salespersons, speakers,presenters, or anyone involved in communicating with others.

3. TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES OF READING ALOUD – Following a brief
rationale of the importance of reading aloud, a variety of techniques are demonstrated. Included in this session are subtle educational aspects of reading aloud – how to sequence a story, appropriate questioning techniques, global thinking and reasoning, logic, etc. If this is presented for parents or teachers, hands-on activities are included to allow them to practice these strategies.

4. FROM BOOK TO STORY – How to analyze a story, extract it from the book, embellish and work it into a story that can be told is emphasized. Techniques of storytelling are incorporated.

5. FROM IDEA TO BOOK – A slide presentation based on my experiences in getting a book published includes the initial query and proposal, agreements, editorial process up to the final product – the book (“Life on a Pig Farm.”) A question/answer period is held at the end for those interested in writing. Good for all ages, including adults.

6. GET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING – Through a variety of hands-on activities, participants will experience how to create their own stories. A group story will be created, embellished and told before it is ready for the written form. Storytelling techniques are included.

7. STORYTELLING FESTIVAL – As a follow up activity of Get the Creative Juices Flowing, this allows the students to present their own stories. I would coach, co-ordinate and MC the event, or work with teachers to show them how to plan such an event as a future activity.

8. TEACHING THROUGH STORYTELLING – Teachers will learn how to construct a story using the facts, concepts and values they wish to teach. Using story as a discipline tool is included.

9. READERS THEATRE – ANOTHER APPROACH TO READING – Students and teachers will see how easy it is to analyze and script a story for reading, instead of using a book. Besides developing analytical and writing skills, children learn to read more expressively. Readers theatre can also be used as an activity for the family, any organization or youth program, theatrical program, or tutoring program.

10. I CAN BE ANYTHING – Using a variety of activities, participants will learn to develop characters through the use of body movement, facial expressions and effective use of voice. Creative dramatics can be an effective tool for teaching on all grade levels.

11. USING NEWSPAPERS IN THE CLASSROOM – For all grade levels (K thru 12), the newspaper can be used as a single tool to teach all of the disciplines in education. A variety of hands-on activities are incorporated. An excellent workshop for students and teachers.

12. TEACHING STRATEGIES – Based on research data, this workshop provides 15 teaching strategies that are effective for ALL children, helps increase learning and test scores, decreases discipline problems and reduces teacher burn-out. This workshop includes lecture, demonstrations and activities, and is excellent for all teachers and student teachers.

13. FINDING YOUR OWN STORY – Through several methods, adults can bring their memories to the surface, then construct them into personal stories that can be told to others. An excellent workshop for those interested in preserving family history.

14. START WRITING – NOW! – An introduction to writing, which includes where to find ideas, how to make each word count, creating characters, dialogue, description, and plot development. Participants will be actively involved in the writing process.

15. WHAT YOU CAN WRITE FOR CHILDREN – An overview of the children’s market from board books to magazine articles and everything in between. Explanations of the genres, formats, and recommended ages are discussed in depth.

16. FOR TEENS ONLY – Basic information is provided in this workshop for students 13 -18 who have interest in writing. Students create a written piece, which is read and crtiqued by the group.