INSET for teachers etc.

‘Highly engaging sessions… We all learned a lot not only from the very well explained materials and but also from Rob’s imaginative presentation skills and sheer enthusiasm for his subject.’

— Heather Davis, Head Teacher

‘At last, joined up thinking about storytelling and imaginative education!.’

— Andy Johstone, Advisory teacher.

Well known for his lively performances and workshops for school pupils of all ages, Rob Parkinson has also been presenting to audiences of education professionals for almost 3 decades now. His work explores the immense possibilities of storytelling as both an art in itself and a many faceted educational tool that can move beyond basic literacy to enhance many other areas of the curriculum, providing a much needed imaginative education that can simultaneously develop emotional intelligence and clear thinking. Rob’s ideas have recently influenced educators working in locations as diverse as rural India and urban Brazil and have been gaining ground in the UK following recently renewed interest in storytelling as a literacy tool.

Rob is always willing to discuss and tailor-make special presentations to suit the requirements of schools and other organizations.

Some presentations and workshops are listed below:

Making the most of stories (Extended workshop or twilight)

‘‘Stimulating, useful and full of valuable insights that will change the way we think, plan and work together. Many thanks!’

–Alison Lucklow (Head Teacher).

Where next with storytelling? Talk into writing makes sense but is that all there is? Aren’t stories and storytelling more than basic literacy tools? Are we getting as much as we could from them? Extraordinary evidence has been accumulating over recent years for the positive effects of stories, storytelling and story making. They develop memory skills, emotional intelligence and insight, can hugely enhance curriculum delivery in and, curiously, even improve mathematical skills.

In this groundbreaking, creative and stimulating workshop, Rob Parkinson explains why this is so, why stories and the telling of them are central to human intelligence and the education of imagination. Practical exercises and examples show how teachers can inform their work across the curriculum through adopting story-based approaches. Rob draws on work with schools and other organisation in vastly different cultures where story has been taken seriously and suggest that a truly evidence-based education would have story at its core.

Outlines of twilight, half day and full day sessions are available on request.

Natural Storytellers: Starting points for story making in speaking & listening (Workshop and/or talk)

‘Teachers from all the schools had a great time and were very impressed… We got a tremendous amount out of it.’

— Jason Simms, Literacy Co-ordinator, St Michael’s School, Welling South East London.

All good teaching starts from what we do naturally. Telling fibs, making excuses and day dreaming may seem negative traits, but are expressions of the same faculties for narrative and imagination that lead to the creation of great novels and films. By drawing on and developing what children do naturally through fun story games used in an intelligent and considered framework, abilities to speak and listen are encouraged and stretched, whilst written story making skills are given an huge boost.

Ideally a full day course with 4 sessions, this inspiring course has also been presented in shortened form in a half day with 2 x one-hour sessions. A stimulating and entertaining 1-hour talk covering the essentials of the approach is also available.

For a full description with learning targets and typical 4-session outline and a guide to fees Contact us.

The Art of Storytelling for teachers and assistants (Workshop)

The ability to fascinate and enchant pupils with a suitable tale is hugely useful in itself. But storytelling is also imaginative communication at its best and all teaching involves elements of it. Even teachers who would not immediately associate what they do with telling tales can learn how to be better and more effective communicators through learning the art and craft of storytelling.

In this flexible workshop, participants can learn:

• to understand and use their own and pupils’ natural story skills
• how to use verbal and non-verbal language in storytelling
• techniques of pacing stories and engaging young audiences
• what the skills of a good storyteller are
• skills of developing, elaborating and changing plots
• skills of adapting to suit different audiences and ages
• how to play and use story games
• how stories communicate and improve all communication
• how to develop storytelling confidence
• how to develop a repertoire of stories

Ideally a 4-session full day course, effective half-day courses are also possible. Single hour talks cover some of the territory and introduce some of the skills. The course is adaptable for parents and others.

Read or download the full course description and outline.

Imagine that

Why imagination needs to be guided and how to guide it (Talk/workshop)

Imagination may be a natural skill, but it needs understanding, directing and developing. In recent times, children have been effectively taught to plan, to set aims and to carry out intentional tasks, but not to imagine in focused and controlled ways. This short talk/workshop draws on techniques used in advanced learning, therapy and even hypnosis, creatively applying all of them in practically effective ways that work in the classroom.

For a full description including learning targets and typical session content Contact us.