Students develop cultural heroes

Rogersville Review

Thursday, May 6, 1993

By Teresa Rimer, Editor YA Today

Have you ever told a tale? Well, for the right reason its okay.

Storyteller Debbie Rauch says telling tales or stories is a great way to learn and to have fun at the same time.

She captivated her audience of third and fourth graders at Carters Valley Elementary last week by spinning a yarn called the Turnip Story.

The tale begins with her Dad who went to pull a huge turnip from the garden. He needed help so he sent for his wife and they couldnt pull it out, so she sent for her daughter, who sent for the dog, who sent for the cat, who finally sent for the mouse. They all pulled and tugged as hard as they could. Then plop! The turnip came out of the ground and everyone toppled over.

By using your imagination you can create a story of your own. You may want to lift your grandpas giant pumpkin, or catch of flying saucer. The object is to create a story of your own.

Debbie encourages students to remember ancestor stories, tales of relatives long dead.

She also asks her students to recall names of three people from the community who are heroes to them. Then she wants to know why this person is a hero.

You may know a story about a local hero that needs to be told. He may be a great hunter, athlete or farmer. Think about it. Your story may be told for generations to come. It may be funny or scary or both.

The program taught by Debbie at Carters Valley Elementary is called Cultural Heroes. It is sponsored by Jubilee Community Arts in Knoxville and other cultural organizations.

The program lasts for 10 days and ends in final performance with participants presenting their original story.

In the process, students are taught basic skills used in public speaking.

Photo Caption 1: Carters Valley Elementary hosts storyteller, Debbie Rauch, in a ten-day workshop called Cultural Heroes sponsored by Jubilee Community Arts.

Photo Caption 2: Rauch teaches body language, eye contact and the proper speed and volume used in public speaking through the storytelling workshop.

Photo Caption 3: Third grader Kenneth Spincer catches on quick and begins spinning a tale about a giant watermelon.

Photo Caption 4: Debbie Rauch kept the attention of David Mann and the class as she beings the class laughs with her version of the turnip story.

 

 

 

Please note: My former storytelling name from 1989 to 1997 was Debbie Rauch. In May of 1997, I returned to my maiden name of Debbie Dunn. That has been my storytelling name ever since.