by Kate Nelson, Communications Officer, MCG In the summer of 2013, Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG) undertook an ambitious tree planting project in our MCG member Communities. Together with the help of funding partners and some great summer students, MCG planted up to 9 black ash and several hundred white spruce trees in six communities. As part of this project there was an education component that brought youth together with Elders or Community Knowledge Holders. We were able to witness several demonstrations of traditional basket making and other uses of Black Ash. This winter we re-visited those folks and recorded their thoughts on traditional uses of Black Ash. The images and information that was shared with us will be used in MCG educational materials geared towards youth. It was a privilege to be welcomed into the homes of many Community members and hear their stories of not only their work with native tree species, but of their lives. We look forward to showing you the materials as they evolve.

Special thank you to Gerald Toney – Annapolis Valley First Nation, Annie Paul -Indian Brook First Nation, Libby Meuse- Indian Brook First Nation, Donna Hurlburt- Acadia First Nation / Acadia University, Rose Morris – Gold River First Nation, Leonard Cremo – Pictou Landing First Nation, Noel Nicholas – Pictou Landing First Nation, Gilbert Sewell – Pabineau First Nation and Della Maguire – Glooscap First Nation for taking the time to speak with us and share your inspiring stories and vast knowledge. It was a privilege to spend time with each of you. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,Note: Most of the books I used as resources for draw and tell stories are out of print. However, it was fairly easy to obtain decent and relatively inexpensive used copies. Tell and Draw StoriesMore Tell and Draw Stories Lots More Tell and Draw Stories More Tell and Draw StoriesTell and Draw Stories Tell and Draw Stories Before I delve into the various sources of draw and tell stories, I would like to talk a little about this method of storytelling.

Try it, you'll like it! Why spend the time learning how to do draw and tell stories? Here are some tips to help you get started: When I first started participating in Flannel Friday, I had no idea that "Draw and Tell" stories would be my most popular posts. "The Night Walk," the first one I posted, is the most popular with over 4,000 views. Overall, the draw and tell stories are the most popular posts on this blog with over 10,000 views. (Cut and tell stories are a distant second with around 3,700 views.) More people are interested in draw and tell stories than I realized. This was a surprise to me since I didn't think they were used much in storytime any more. They seem old fashioned in these tech obsessed times. People have probably been drawing in dirt or wet sand as long as there have been stories to tell. It is this connection to our past that appeals to me. I also love the idea of creating a picture as I tell the story. Children love it because not only do they see the picture being created but they also like to guess what it will be.

Some clever folk have adapted this format using technology. umizoomi backpack toys r usA tablet can be a drawing pad and images can be projected. backpack snackersI still prefer a pad of newsprint and a Sharpie but then markers were new technology when I was a kid.poncho backpack 2030l Because of the interest in draw and tell stories, I am going to explore this format in future blog posts. targus backpack sri lankaI have gathered some of the resources I have used over the years as well as some that are new to me and will talk about them. hatchet backpack jansport

I will also post some tips and techniques as well as talk a bit about how I came up with my own stories. backpack anwbI hope that these posts will encourage people to try this form of storytelling.eberlestock packs ebay Now that I am retired, I do some volunteer reading to kindergarteners at a local elementary school. The Wednesday before Halloween I did "The Halloween Hike" for two of the children. For various reasons we did not meet for almost a month. When we met again, the first thing one child asked was for another drawing story. I think I'll be doing more of them and maybe by the end of the school year I'll teach the children how to do one themselves. Welcome to the November 14 Flannel Friday Round-Up! This week's submissions include several classics along with a large helping of cute. Nikki of heytherelibrary is dealing with "Thanksgiving Overload" by using "Stone Soup" and "Turkey Wore His Red Feathers."

The large, colorful vegetables for "Stone Soup: will be a hit any time of the year. Kathryn of Fun with Friends at Storytime did a "Nocturnal Animals" storytime. Her five little owls are not only colorful but have very expressive eyes giving each one a distinct personality. Katie of Story Time Secrets has a "What's On Your Plate?" flannel that can be used in different ways with different ages. Although the food theme goes well with Thanksgiving, it can be used at any time of the year. Maggie of Playing the Hits presents her version of "Little Mouse." She talks about expanding vocabulary by using unusual colors and even patterns. Jess of From the Liberry of ... shows us her version of "This Is the House That Jack Built." She features another method of making figures for the felt board. I like how when she couldn't find what she wanted, she created it herself. Tara of Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends celebrates the season with a "Pumpkin" storytime for all ages.

Her prop for the song, "Pumpkin Vine," is fantastic. So is her "Magic Autumn Cauldron" activity. Kristen of Library Village shows us how she made finger puppets for "Two Little Blackbirds." Jane of Piper Loves the Library celebrates birthdays with cupcakes including candles and flames. I like how she combines felt and paper - mixed media for Flannel Friday folk. Also, congratulations to Jane for being ALSC member of the month!That Is NOT a Good Idea! Inspired by Flannel Friday's annual Halloween Round Up, I wrote another Halloween draw and tell story. This is my third one! This week's Flannel Friday is hosted by Sue of Library Village. Be sure to visit Flannel Friday for more storytime inspiration! This is my presentation as part of a panel, "Storytime Shake-Up," for the 2014 New Jersey Youth Services Forum held on October 1, 2014. A copy will also be available on the New Jersey State Library's Youth Services site. Flannel Friday's Pinterest Pages provides a wealth of storytelling ideas.