Anne Glover’s
Story-String World
Les Contes et les cordes
Teachers’ Study Guide
Guide pédagogique
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101
ANNE GLOVER STUDY GUIDE
-2-
Storytelling
Stories are everywhere! Oral storytelling is not as strong in our culture as it used to be, but
we still rely on stories for entertainment and education. In this modern era, various media
have become the storytellers. I enjoy bringing storytelling back to the realm of human
interaction, and encouraging people to tell stories. Everyone is a storyteller, and everyone
loves to hear a story!
Try this!
• Tell a story of your own, or re-tell one of Anne’s stories.
• Tell a story with string – you can invent shapes for your own story.
• Tell a story to people your age, then to young children, then to adults. How is it
different or the same?
• Experiment with speaking in front of a group, whether it’s telling a story or answering
a math question. What is it like if you look away? What is it like if you look at your
audience?
Explore the subject of storytelling through the following questions:
• What is the difference between watching a show or movie on television and
listening to someone tell a story in person?
• How is the role of the audience different from a TV show to a live performance?
• How is the performer’s work different?
• How is it different for you listening to a story read to you and listening to a
story told to you?
• How long have people been watching television?
• How long have people been reading and writing books?
• How long have people been telling and listening to stories?
• When do you tell stories?
• When do you listen to stories?
• Who tells you stories?
• What kinds of stories have you heard?
• What makes a story a “good” story for you?
Discuss one of the stories in Anne’s show, or any other story:
• From whose point of view is the story told? Who do you feel sympathy for?
• Try telling the story from the point of view of one of the other characters.
• Is the story “true”?
• If the story is a folktale, where is it from? Do you know others that are like it?
• Are there any characters that are so vivid you can picture them, or hear their voicesin
your head? What makes a character come to life?
• Does anyone in the story remind you of yourself, or of someone you know?
• Can you extend the story? Write or tell what happens after the end.
• Stories can evoke many emotions. How do you feel as you listen to this story? Is it
scary? Funny? Tense? Sad?
Anne Glover Study Guide ©2009 StoryString Productions
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101
ANNE GLOVER STUDY GUIDE
-3-
String Figures / Les Jeux de ficelle
Why String Figures?
String figures introduce us to a universe of string diversity! For thousands of years, cultures
all around the globe have been using string to tell stories about the world around them.
The string figures and stories from a culture reveal much about that people’s environment,
food sources, and beliefs.
String figures are instantly engaging. Even blind students I have worked with have loved to
feel the shapes and to learn to manipulate the string.
String figures are an effortless way for children to develop dexterity, eye-hand coordination,
patience, perseverence and to improve reading and writing. (According to some experts,
math as well!) After my Artist-in-Residence programs, I often hear from schools that
students’ behaviour and learning have improved since the string work began. Research
shows important brain development connected to this kind of “exercise.”
Strings to use
Yarn and plain string were all I used for many years. Thicker and softer will be easier to
manipulate. Depending on hand size and arm length, use 60 cm- 2 meters. The bright cords
I use are avalable from my website (www.anneglover.ca) They are durable, easy to work,
and (hurray!) they’re washable.
Try this!
• For an introduction to simple shapes, go to http://anneglover.ca/simplestrings.pdf
(You can also acces it from the “String Stuff” page at anneglover.ca) Allow time for it
to download – it will take a few moments. You will see how to do Opening A, Tree,
Leg Catch from Vancouver Island First Nations, Pizza, Pyramid, and Star. You’re on
your way!
• Learn figures from each other, from books, from websites, from grandparents.
• Invent your own figures.
• Do string shapes with a partner: your left hand with your partner’s right hand. Then
try it with two strings between the two of you. Now try a string figure with 2
partners, or in a circle. Can the whole class do a figure hand-to-hand all around the
circle?
• Do them with your eyes closed… Or standing on one foot… Do them with your
eyes closed, standing on one foot!
• Create a string story. Older classes can perform for the younger classes… or vice
versa!
• Visit a seniors’ home and play string games with residents there. Just watch their
eyes light up!
• Have strings and string figure books & videos available for indoor recess.
(See Resources, below.)
Anne Glover Study Guide ©2009 StoryString Productions
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101
ANNE GLOVER STUDY GUIDE
-4-
Sign Language / Le langage signé
Sign is the language of the Deaf and of many students with special needs. I use elements
of Sign to embellish my stories or to create a visual bridge between English and French.
What I do is closer to ASL than to Signed English, but I am by no means fluent in Sign.
Even for those who do not “need” to use sign, it offers a kinesthetic and visual means
of communication and learning. Children generally love to learn sign, and pick it up
very quickly.
It’s always best to learn from a fluent signer, but sign dictionaries are also very helpful.
See “Resources” for some suggestions.
Try This!
• Learn some signs from sign language dictionaires or from fluent signers.
• Integrate some sings into classroom activities.
• Start a signing club at your school.
• After the show – what signs can you remember from the stories?
• Tell a story using some signs you’ve learned.
French / Le Français
I have always loved languages, and I like to share this enthusiasm by using French (and Sign)
in my show. It’s woven into the progam so that even those who don’t speak any French
can still follow the story. Students use visual cues, context and other non-verbal aspects
of communication rather than relying on understand every word.
Try This!
• After the show, discuss general observations of the French in the story. Are there
any words that stand out? Are there any observations on the sound of French?
• Try playing samples of different languages, and see if the students can identify which
one is French. Exploring the sounds and rhythms of a language helps us understand
that a language is more than just a list of words.
Tricksters
All around the world, there are stories featuring a character who loves to play tricks! Often
the pranks backfire. Some people say these stories are just for fun, some people say they
are for teaching a lesson.
Try This!
• After the show, discuss the theme of tricksters in the show. Who were the
tricksters? What tricks were played? Was there a lesson taught by the story?
• Look for trickster stories from different cultures – Coyote, Raven, Anansi… what
other tricksters can you find in folktales?
• Children are often said to be full of mischief. Can you make up your own trickster
story?
Anne Glover Study Guide ©2009 StoryString Productions
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101
ANNE GLOVER STUDY GUIDE
-5-
Resources
Educational Resources by Anne
DVD: How to Make the Dog and Other Favorite String Tricks For
learning string tricks.
Step-by-step instructions, different camera angles, and slow motion make all these
string tricks a snap to learn. This program features Anne’s favourites, from the
simple to the complex. “You did a SUPER JOB! -- the best ever in my humble opinion.
… You've set a new standard -- congratulations!”
--Mark Sherman (International String Figure Association)
DVD: Le Coeur du singe / The Monkey’s Heart
Volume One of Anne’s innovative and painless way to learn French!
Here she tells the classic folk tale of a crocodile on a mission to catch a monkey.
Anne intertwines English and French, Sign language and string figures to create an
irresistible package for all levels - from complete beginners to francophone. Suitable
for FSL, Immersion, and everything in between!
DVD: Fanfan et les extraterrestres / Fanfan and the Aliens
Volume Two of Annes’s bilingual DVD series with a story about her
little brother who never wants to go to bed.
There are surprises for all when “aliens” appear one night. Anne intertwines English
and French, Sign language and string figures to create an irresistible package for all
levels - from complete beginners to francophone. Suitable for FSL, Immersion, and
everything in between!
CD: In the Studio with Monkey
A collection of deliciously funny trickster tales, woven together with
dialogues between Anne and “Monkey,” a character we guarantee
you’ll never forget!
Super Strings
Bright, durable, washable, strings are available in Rainbow Packs (10),
Class Sets (30) and Bulk Bundles (100)
Anne Glover Study Guide ©2009 StoryString Productions
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101
ANNE GLOVER STUDY GUIDE
Other Resources for String Figures:
On the web
http://www.anneglover.ca/string.html
International String Figure Association: http://www.isfa.org
Or do a search on “String figures.”
En français
Search on “jeux de ficelle,” or try
http://www.isfa.org/fisfa1.htm
http://www.isfa.org/farctic.htm
http://www.museevirtuel.ca/Exhibitions/Holman/francais/life/recreation.php3
Books Here are some of my favourites:
Gryski, Camilla Cat’s Cradle, Owl’s Eyes: A Book of String Games
Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1983
Many Stars and More String Games. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1985.
Super String Games. Toronto, Kids Can Press,1987.
International String Figure Association Fascinating String Figures.
New York: Dover Publications, 1996.
Jayne, Caroline Furness String Figures and How to Make Them.
New York: Dover Publications, 1962.
En français: Gryski, Camilla Jeux de ficelle, Tome 1 & Tome 2.
St-Lambert: Les Editions Héritage,1988.
Story Collections and Books on Storytelling (some of my favourites)
Egan, Kieran Teaching as Story Telling: An Alternative Approach to Teaching and
Curriculum in the Elementary School. University of Chicago Press, 1986.
Livo, Norma and Sandra A. Rietz Storytelling: Process and Practice.
Libraries Unlimited, 1986.
Pellowski, Anne The Story Vine: A Source Book of Unusual and
Easy-to-Tell Stories from Around the World. Macmillan, 1984.
Sawyer, Ruth The Way of the Storyteller. New York: Viking Press, 1972.
Yolen, Jane Favorite Folktales From Around the World.
New York: Pantheon Books, 1986.
Anne Glover Study Guide ©2009 StoryString Productions
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101
-6-
ANNE GLOVER STUDY GUIDE
-7-
Story Collections and Books on Storytelling (some of my favourites) con’t.
Clarkson, Atelia, and Gilbert Cross World Folktales: A Treasury of Over Sixty of the
World’s Best-Loved Folktales. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons,1980.
Courlander, Harold The Tiger’s Whisker. London: Methuen & Co, 1960.
and George Herzog The Cow-Tail Switch.
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1974.
Sign Language Books
Bornstein, Saulnier, Hamilton, eds. The Comprehensive Signed English Dictionary.
Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet College Press, 1983.
Butterworth, Rod & Mickey Flodin The Perigee Visual Dictionary of Signing.
New York: Putnam, 1991.
Costello, Elaine Signing: How to Speak with your Hands.
Toronto: Bantam Books,1983.
Riekehof, Lottie L The Joy of Signing. Springfield, Mo.:
Gospel Publishing House, 1987.
Sternberg, Martin L.A. American Sign Language Dictionary.
New York: Harper & Row, 1981.
Thank you!
…for inviting me to your school! If you have any questions or comments, please contact
me. I love to hear from you!
Anne Glover
20 San Jose Avenue
Victoria BC V8V 2C2
(250) 360 2101
[email protected]
As a performer who has toured extensively in British Columbia schools, I would like to
acknowledge Artists In Education, which is generously funded by the BC Arts Council and
Vancouver Foundation and forms the backbone of the ArtStarts in Schools touring
program.
Anne Glover Study Guide ©2009 StoryString Productions
www.anneglover.ca (250) 360-2101