SCHOOL PROGRAMS – To Inform, Educate, and Entertain Students
Teachers, if you are looking for just the right story to enhance your social studies and language curriculum… you will find the tales Ms Fiona tells often have a twist, are funny, and fit the Georgia standards.. See If the Shoe Fits or Timeless Tales of Wit and Wisdom, conference sessions for educators.
Humanities education in Georgia schools is very important.
Fiona taught school for 22 years and has the unique ability to adapt her programs to the age level of the group.
People have told her that they can see her teaching experience shining through.
Elementary School presentations are 35 to 45 minutes long. She suggests back-to-back shows.
Each group should be limited to 200 students.
*From The Voice of Elementary Teachers: “Her teaching experience gives her the wisdom to handle any kind of group. Children who rarely sit still are mesmerized! The child can be six or twelve, yet she adapts the pace and the language to tweak their interest, often using the same story… changing the age of the character.
"Dare To Be YOU" (K/12)
Fiona shares how she felt different when she became blind and how she found a way to fit in.
Using folk tales and her own personal stories, Fiona tells how she reads with her ears and her hands and how she learned to adapt to the sighted world. She uses funny personal stories and makes a connection to the same insecurity and fears of a little crow who didn’t fit in.
“Charlotte Crow thinks she is ordinary and only valuable if she is adorned with magnificent colorful feathers.“
Fiona shows her how to look inside and see her beauty and worth in the adaptation of this ancient Aesop fable.
Fiona references Helen Keller and Louis Braille. She gives information about using a guide dog. No, Fiona no longer has a dog guide. She uses a cane.
**Note on GA standards: Leadership skills… Honesty integrity, fairness, responsible behavior ethical work habits, passion for goals.
Subtle teaching is done by telling entertaining personal stories about difficult tasks, overcoming fears, having patience, becoming organized, paying attention, and harnessing other life skills.
Volunteers from the group practice sighted guide techniques and learn to use their words for more effective communication.
Interactive, humorous tales and adaptive technology demonstrate self-confidence and self reliance.
"Snow Flake" (Pre-K thru 2nd grade).
One of the "Three Blind Mice" (Fiona in costume) shares funny folktales with a twist about being blind. It teaches the important of respect, manners, and learning a second language!
This story features a character in Fiona’s book, "Bettina the Bold".
"Queen of the Okefenokee" (K thru 12)
Lydia Crews grew up on Cowhouse island in the swamp.
Fiona has created fascinating Tall Tales about Ms. Liddie’s adventures as a young girl growing up in the late 1800’s.
*Fiona grew up near the Okefenokee Swamp, learning the folklore and historical fiction of famed female millionaire, Lydia Crews, aka Miss Liddie, who was known to be an early conservationist.
"Swamp Critters" (2nd thru 5th grades)
Stories that introduce students to the southernmost wetland region of Georgia , once considered to be the “Seventh Wonder of the World”, and the survival traits of native animals. These humorous stories also demonstrate the geography of the swamp and its importance; and how the swamp is sustained.
Folktales about the animals of the swamp and how they survive will keep children on the edge of their seats.
Georgia Standards:
- Georgia history, includes settling of the Scot-Irish, the movement of the Florida Seminoles and the Indian Wars of the early 1800’s for third grade.
- Georgia standards: social studies (K/2 grades)
*Fiona’s favorites are the trickster tales. Tricksters are all about surviving and living to the fullest—a major ideal in her own life!
"Imagine That!" (3rd grade and UP)
Fiona tells personal stories of how a blind person can write a book. This is a story about using adaptive technology to become an author. It teaches children to use descriptive words in their communication.
Fiona shares her journey of becoming a professional storyteller and converting her voice to the printed page.
"Who’s Afraid" (3rd grand and UP): Age appropriate stories
This is based on American Literature which is required for the students’ performance based skills.
Fiona tells American ghost tales, legends, and scary stories.
"Who’s Really in Charge"… finding your gifts and talents. (Middle school)
In a challenging way to the students, Fiona tells personal stories, both humorous and thought provoking which demonstrate coming out of dark despair and finding one’s self.
Fiona tells of her own journey from being sighted to being blind; and returning to be a productive individual.
This storytelling program is for pre-teens, adolescents, teens, and rehabilitation groups of all descriptions. Furthermore, Fiona has taken this to the juvenile justice system, rehab centers for teens, and church youth groups.
