BOCES ID
2242
For
K-2, 3-5, Middle school, High school
Categories
Storytelling, Theatre
Curriculum
The Arts
Costs
$425. for one show, $300 for each additional show same day. Day in residence (performance and four workshops) $625.
Dates Available
Year round
Program Theme
Once upon a time, we taught children through the oral tradition. Now studies prove children who actively listen to stories, expand their imaginations, becoming better thinkers, readers, and writers. Storytelling, especially by a master of the art, provides an ideal way to educate children. Tell me your story. I’ll tailor tales for your school.
Program Description
Find a selection of Jonathan’s storytelling over on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/jonatales/videos
Finger Fables – Grades Pre-K – 2
Your master storyteller teaches young children to actively listen, with this “hands on” experience of Fables. Drawing from Aesop to Anansi, these selections naturally provide morals and many ways to retell, reenact, sequence and write.
CCS – Reading gr. K – 2 #1-9, (i.e. responding, retelling, key details, characters)
Story Theater – Grades K – 4
Guided by their tale-teller, using simple costumes children step into classic fairy tales. Selections come from Grimm Brothers, H.C. Anderson, Jataka Tales, and your requests. Workshops use “Ingredients for a Fun Fairy Tale” to prompt writing, new endings, and retellings from a different character’s perspective.
CCS – Reading / Literature – 1-4 # 9, 10, 11 Informational – 1-4 #1-3 Writing 1-4 # 3 (main idea, characters, story structure compare/contrast, responding to Literature)
Website
Phone
(845) 216-9087
Address
11 Maple Lane
Cold Spring, NY 10516
Associated Acts/Performances
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” / “ A Christmas Carol” solo shows for students with live musical accompaniment, by Jim Keyes, A Q & A, a student guide
The Hudson River Ramblers – stories and songs of the Hudson River. Native, Colonial, Revolutionary, Industrial Revolution and environmental times with folk musician Rich Bala.
The World in Tales – Grades 2 – 5
Students experience diverse countries and cultures on a “story journey” around the world. Listening to a folk or fairy tale from six continents, they’ll discover what makes each place unique and will understand their values. Fifth graders get “Tales of the Americas” Ask about a live musical accompanist. Workshops show students how to write their own tale using characteristics a country they pick. CCS – Reading/Informational – #3-5, 7, 9, 11 Writing 4A Speaking & Listening 1f, – Main Ideas, Structure, Integration, Cultural perspectives, Different backgrounds, Responding with original story)
New York Lore (History on the Hudson) – Grades 4-5, 7, 11
New York’s history experienced through dramatic stories of Native, Colonial, Revolutionary, Industrial and Environmental times. Offers creation myths, Dutch and British settlers, George Washington, Sybil Ludington, Women’s rights, Pete Seeger, haunted history. Add NY songs with the Hudson River Ramblers.
Workshops show students how to use primary sources to write a persuasive letter to a historical figure. CCS – S.&L.1e, 4 / L.S. 3, 4a, 6/ R.S.L. H/SS 6-12 – 1-3, 9 – retelling, analysis, understanding perspectives, primary sources, point of view
Medieval Manners & Manors – Grades 6-12
Jonathan the Troubadour immerses students in medieval times. They experience feudalism, feasting, knighting, and guild rules. There’s a mystery tale students help solve. Many done caps and cotehardies to step into skits. They’ll bow, speak “forsoothely” and sing in “olde English.” A double period event, complete with a ten-page teacher’s guide.
CCS – S & L 1e, 2/ W.S. 11c & d / L. in H & S.S. 3, 4, / W in H & S.S. 8, 9 (analysis, context,historical perspective, using sources, draw evidence, reflection)
Myth – Grades 2-12
Select a culture’s myth, from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Norse, Native for your performance program. Garbed as a bard from the period, your storyteller engages, with dramatic technique, a skit, and humor. Ask for Myth-Making workshops. CCS – S & L 1e, 2/ W.S. 11c & d / L. in H & S.S. 3, 4, / W in H & S.S. 8, 9 (analysis, context, historical perspective, using varied sources, draw evidence, reflection)
Shakespeare is Elementary – Grades 4-12
This is a three-day residency where every student has a chance to have fun performing an authentic, unedited kid-friendly scene from Shakespeare. Three actor/educators coach in students in scene groups of four. A culminating assembly highlights the experience, with groups from each class sharing their scenes from Shakespeare. Scenes are provided. CCS – S & L 4/ R.S. 1-4, 11 / W.S. 3, 4, 11 (tell a story, responding to literature, audience awareness, perspective)
Letter of ReferenceNovember 24, 2008To Whom It May Concern,Over a month ago ‘Jonathan Kruk, Storyteller’ visited our school for 3 assemblies. Just recently, a fellow parent mentioned that their son was still raving about Jonathan Kruk’s performance. It’s really quite remarkable, when you think about it, with all that our children are inundated with and stimulated by, ‘Jonathan Kruk’ still came to this child’s mind. How refreshing! A Storyteller!Jonathan Kruk is an incredible one-man show without the bells and whistles, no big sound systems or lights, no pomp. That said, Mr. Kruk’s performance is so colorful and stimulating, it makes you come alive. He is a fantastic storyteller! Your imagination tingles. Child or adult, you become completely captivated as he uses his body, voice/ sound effects, and hands to make his characters practically appear in front of your eyes.As a PTA volunteer, Jonathan made my job very easy. He’s a pleasure to work with and the children love him. Knowing some of our school history and background he incorporated those details into his stories. (And there’s nothing like a spooky Halloween story for the kids just before Halloween).Mr. Kruk is a very flexible and insightful artist. He has the children’s best interest at heart. He knows that children love to learn and can learn if the information is presented in the right way. Children have incredible imaginations. Jonathan helps keep them alive.When Jonathan has finished his performance, it doesn’t stop there. He encourages the kids to maybe draw or talk about how they could change the ending of a story and make it completely different.Thanks to Jonathan Kruk, the art of storytelling, is still alive and well!Sincerely,Tuscan ElementaryMaplewood, NJ