WHAT IS STORYTELLING?
Interactive Storytelling is a dramatic presentation of an story or poem shared with a person or audience. It may be oral, audio, visual or mime. The purpose is to share information, entertain or teach a lesson. The length may be 2 minutes to an hour.
The Interactive Storyteller encourages audience participation with the repetition of words or the use of sounds from instruments. Depending on the story, the results may draw a variety of emotions-a room full of laughter; tears; sighs; grunts; moans and other rare sounds.
The storyteller may enhanced the story with props, displays, slides or dress to showcase a personal story or reenact the life of a person
A STORYTELLER CREATES A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT LAST A LIFETIME.
ABOUT ME
GWENDOLYN
Gwendolyn Lewis, known in the storytelling world as Ms. Gwen and The Ambassador of Family Literacy, received her post- graduate education in library science and elementary school administration.
Her true belief in family literacy addresses the idea that family and community involvement influences and reflects the quality of a child’s learning.
She addresses the illiteracy epidemic by traveling throughout Michigan presenting interactive family literacy workshops and storytelling using the book she authored PLANT A SEED… READ 101 ACTIVITIES TO MOTIVATE CHILDREN TO READ.!! Ms. Gwen also had a radio program titled. “Plant a Seed…Read!”
Many of her stories enhances character building –stories of kindness. She also reenacts the Lives of Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King and Maya Angelou.
Her performances includes Storyteller for MLK Jr. Day in Redford, Michigan; the Detroit, Shelby Township, Huntington Woods; Inkster and Oak Park Libraries; Jackson and Flint Storyteller’s Festivals; Detroit, Redford, Farmington Hills, Southfield and Warren Public Schools; McDonald’s Corp.: P.A.C.E. and Advantage Senior Centers. She is listed in the Michigan Humanities Touring Directory; and a member of the Detroit Association of Black Storyteller and Detroit Story League.
She gives Annual Recognition to MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS IN LITERACY IN THE 3rd and 8th GRADES at Sampson Elementary School in Detroit, Michigan.
MY OBJECTIVE
To diminish the illiteracy rate by sharing family literacy skills and storytelling.
PLANT A SEED....
READ!
Plant a Seed Read is releasing a new version this November! Pre-Order your copies now for your school, library, non-profit, outreach, etc.! Let's continue to work together to show the importance of literacy! Click the button below!
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ORGANIZATIONS
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American Association of University Women - Rochester, MI "Coretta Scott King", 2014
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Central City Community Soup, Glazer School, Detroit, MI "Create a Larger Vision - Working Together"
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Beta Gamma Phi, Southfield, MI - Beans and Corn Bread, Storytelling, February, 2013
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Delta Sigma Theta, Freedom School, Detroit, MI, July, 2014, "Being Kind to Others Theme"
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National Congress of Black Women, Oakland Community College, Royal Oak, MI, February, 2013
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Ms. Senior Michigan, "Phenomenal Woman, 2012, 2014 and 2011 - "Alone"
SCHOOLs
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Jefferson Elementary School, Redford, MI - Black History Stories - 2013
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Fisher Elementary School, Redford, MI - Literacy Program - Storytelling - 2013
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Murphy School, Detroit, MI - Black History Stories - February, 2014
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George Washington carver Academy Pre-School - Theme "Getting Alone" - April 29, 2013
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Pepper Elementary School - "Maya Angelou" - February 2, 2012
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Wayne County Community College District - "Papa, Hold My Hand" Interpretation - July, 2014
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Inkster Headstart - Literacy Night - March, 2012
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Detroit International Academy - "Maya Angelou" - March, 2012
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Chattendon Middle School, Warren, Michigan - "Maya Angelou" - March, 2012
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Mound Elementary School, Warren, MI - Storytelling - May, 2012
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Edison Elementary School, Madision Heights, MI - Story Hour 3rd Grade - March, 2012
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Durfee Elementary School Detroit, MI - Literacy Fair - May and July, 2014
community sites
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Detroit Historical Museum, Family Literacy Day, 2013 - "Mary McLeod Bethune"
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Detroit Public Library - Kwanzaa Celebration - 2013
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Inkster Public Library - February, 2014 and Summer 2014
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Westland Public Library, Black History Program, Martin Luther King Jr. - 2012
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Starfish, Inkster, MI, Storytelling in the Park - June, 2013
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Tabernacle Baptist Church, Group 29, Detroit, MI, Stories
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Rosedale Park Church, Interpretive Readings, The Christmas Angels - 2011
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The Charles Museum of African American History, Kwanzaa Celebration Story - December 2011
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African World Festival, Storytelling - August, 2014
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Bryant Community Center, Ann Arbor, MI, Storytelling - February, 2012
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Don Bosco Hall, Family Night, Storytelling - 2011
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Baxter Green Community Center, Storytelling, Ann Arbor, MI - March, 2012
TESTIMONIALS
We Liked Her Because....
“Your storytelling was STELLAR,..The students and staff has been raving about your Presentation of Coretta Scott King.”
Dena Licovski, Program Coordinator,
East Middle School
Farmington Hills, Mchigan
“You are energetic. We like how you engaged the children”
Patricia Walkeer, Asst. Principal
Vernor Elementary School
Detroit, Michigan
“ You were right on target – strong, confident and fun,
A great conclusion to our Children's Concert.”
Judy Sima
National-Known Storyteller
GWENDOLYN LEWIS
BOOKING OR INFO
STORYTELLER
