“History, Legends, and Innovations” was the focus of Yavneh Academy’s annual fourth grade Storytelling Festival on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 21 and 22. Students used storytelling as a method to explore the American presidency, traditional American legends and innovators. They learned about characterization, story structure, language usage and verbal presentation skills through five workshops with their resident storyteller, Rivka Willick, whose goal was to help the fourth graders find and create their own stories.

History is filled with stories—some which are true and some told so often that they are taken as fact. Some have evolved into a combination of fact and fiction which totally surprised the audience. The festival explored these tales and then transitioned to the exciting world of innovations which have enhanced and transformed every aspect of our lives. Storytelling is an art which utilizes one’s voice, gestures and imagination. Each class focused on a different topic within this broad spectrum, and the students connected to their stories through their own personalities and interpretation while creating a bond with the audience.

They shared their stories with Yavneh students in grades 1-5 on Tuesday morning and then presented for their families in the evenings. Under the guidance of teachers Lynn Bloom, Linda Gans, Alison Landa, Talya Mandelstam and associate Danielle Schlisser, the students read, explored, researched, wrote and performed their tales as part of a folklore unit within the curriculum. The festival is coordinated by librarians Rachel Glasser and Susan Thaler.

The Yavneh Academy Storytelling Festival provided students with a great deal of fun and excitement and, most importantly, a sense of confidence and accomplishment.