Storytelling Unit at South Hill School

Professor Anne Byrne's class in Storytelling has been doing an enrichment project with South Hill School for a number of years. Each year, her class works with a group of South Hill School classes on storytelling techniques. The children learn to develop their presentation skills, and they build confidence in their ability to make a public presentation.

Ithaca College students assist these children in developing their oral communication skills by weekly sessions at South Hill School. Then, the culminating activity is a celebration of storytelling on the IC campus each spring.

The FDA experience

Our partnership with FDA is a rich experience for all involved. For the past eleven years, we have been collaborating with FDA to enrich programming at both schools. These pictures are from our Fall, 2006 workshop at FDA for our student teachers.

FDA Summer Performance Workshop

Under the leadership of Professor Elizabeth Bleicher, eleven FDA students participated in a week-long performance workshop where they worked on their writing, critical thinking, and speaking skills. Assisted by Professors Paul Hansom, Lee-Ellen Marvin, and Scott Thomson, the students worked on speech writing, literary analysis, dramatic impact, oral presentation, and improvisation. Also assisting were two amazing student assistants and Master of Arts in Teaching graduate students.

The workshop also gave these students the opportunity to live on a college campus and experience college life for a week. They had the opportunity to meet and talk with college students of color who talked with them about college life and how to succeed. There was also time for bowling, mini-golf, a backstage tour at the Hangar Theatre and a theatre performance at the Kitchen Theatre, swimming, an ice-cream social, movie night, a trip to a local state park, dinner on the Ithaca Commons, and a picnic.

This photo gallery documents the week's activities as they unfolded. It was a great experience for all and these students have won their place in our hearts.

Fall, 2007 FDA workshop

   Our senior and graduate student teachers participate in our annual fall workshop at FDA where they work with FDA students and teachers, as well as teach classes under the direction of FDA teachers. This experience is the highlight of the semester prior to their official student teaching semester. It gives them the opportunity to teach and work in an urban school with primarily Black and Latino students. Ithaca College student teachers and faculty spend a week at FDA during fall break. They shadow a student, work with small groups of FDA students, and teach classes while they are there. In the evening, after preparations for the next day are complete, students are free to enjoy the nightlife in New York City.

Select any image in this gallery to send it as an e-mail postcard.