Heather Whaley

Readings

Heather emphasizes the value of storytelling and oral presentation and talks about writing stories, songs, verse and poetry in particular. All grades receive a brief introduction to storytelling background, transformation and importance in community.

Heather relates her own experiences of growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario with a Scottish father, Italian grandfather, a grandmother from Liverpool, England and her Ukrainian, Finnish, Polish and Ojibwa friends, then moving to Toronto after marriage and meeting other cultures. Her explanation about the initial trauma of leaving a small town northern life to live in a large city helps students understand that transferring to an unfamiliar place is difficult but also very exciting. She provides the audience with an opportunity to think about their heritage and cultural background and what might be unique or the same as others. Heather utilizes the art form of storytelling to help facilitate learning and to conjure up curiosity in children. She also uses storytelling as a vehicle to deliver her original songs and personal stories and to connect the power of words, music and rhythm, one universal commonality humans of all races share. Her programs are built around this concept.

JK – Grade 3
45 – 60 minutes (JK - grade one - 30 minute classroom rotation upon request)

Heather’s performances for younger audiences include traditional and original tales, poems, chants & tunes that, for the most part, encourage participation. She focuses on literacy by introducing sequential, patterned and musical stories and songs to help promote comprehension, language development and oral communication as well as positive attitudes and appreciation for language. Teachers are inspired to follow-up by encouraging children to draw pictures of their favourite characters, setting or event in story-block format, and to initiate conversation by asking who, what, where & why questions to students. Older students are encouraged to rewrite a story they heard and tell it back to classmates.

Grades 4 – 8
60 minutes

Heather tells a variety of folk tales, urban legends and ghost stories to upper grades. Many are based on history and beliefs of a culture or are reflective of a time period. The tales are interspersed with music, poetry and song. She brings a tasty mix of intriguing folklore to students and encourages researching interesting historical tid-bits to shape and adapt stories effectively. Student’s critical thinking is challenged as they listen and anticipate possible outcomes of dramatic stories, or the twists and turns of humerous ones. Heather delivers both a casual and theatrical style presentation that represents to students the importance of preparation, rehearsal and the power of a well told story. Teachers may elate the storytelling session to curriculum and follow-up in the classroom.

Literacy and Family Reading Nights: Full 60 minute concert or up to three 30 minute sessions. Themes by request.

Special Equipment:

n/a

Book Sales:

Heather brings CDs of her original material.

Workshops

STORYTELLING & WRITING: Grade 2 - 6
up to 90 minutes maximum

Elementary Students learn to compare stories to "tell" with written stories and how to recall sequence of events and patterning in story to help their comprehension. The workshop focuses on how to write ‘using your own voice’ based on a 'really' good model story and how to get ideas and use creative writing to build confidence! Workshops are tailored to suit grade divisions.

STORYTELLING: Intermediate
Half Day
This workshop focuses on encouraging oral language through storytelling and spoken word presentations. Examples of diverse stories are delivered. Students are facilitated in learning how to transfer story from the page to telling aloud & writing personal stories to tell. Students and teachers are encouraged to have open discussions about how storytelling can help us understand diversity, cultural differences, and social issues and to tell stories in the classroom. Students learn to tell to one another in a comfortable, non-threatening environment.

SONGWRITING: IntermediateTwo Hours maximum

Young adults / Writing for your target audience. Learning the difference between Songwriting and poetry - How to Write a "really” good song based on a really good model song - Getting ideas through observation, references, activities and exercises to learn patience in finding your "voice". Students learn about the Lyricist at work and the singer/songwriter.

Special Equipment:

Overhead Projector and a flip chart or chalk board.

Book Sales:

Heather brings CDs of her original material.

Biography

Heather performs and brings to life both traditional and original stories and songs throughout the GTA and beyond for children and adults and uses homemade instruments, props and guitar to enhance her delightful folk style. She worked at the Whitby Central Public Library for 13 years where she exercised her passion for storytelling and singing in children’s programming. Heather attended many professional development workshops and courses throughout her career with the library and on her own, including learning to play guitar and taking voice lessons in mid-life! She continues learning and growing wherever possible. Heather resigned from the library to perform full-time, create and write, mostly songwriting for children and adults. Her visits are designed to entertain, address themes and issues that appeal to various ages, and meet grade level curriculum. She specializes in children’s and young adult programs. In middle schools and high schools Heather includes ballads, original contemporary, folk, and blues music with personal tales that are profound or humourous. Tales that inspire teens to want to write, use instrumentation, sing and tell stories. She has been involved with performance and community programming for over 20 years.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:

STORYTELLING TO CHILDREN:
Encouraging, inspiring and facilitating new teachers, librarians and beginning storytellers on how to use storytelling effectively in the classroom and in programming through research, preparation & delivery. Highly interactive and participatory!