Sherry Norfolk - Storyteller, Teaching-Artist, Author
Meet Sherry
Sherry Norfolk tells stories with a style that is distinctly her own - full of rhythm, motion, multiple voices, and opportunities for interactive participation. Audiences of all ages find joy, humor and pathos in her stories, drawn from folktales from around the world. Along with the electric stage presence developed through professional storytelling since 1981, she brings impressive academic credentials: a B.A. in Elementary Education and a Masters in Library Science. Sherry also served as a consultant on Turner South's Stories to Learn By initiative. Sherry found her way to storytelling following a 17-year career as a children's librarian. She believes that storytelling is an effective means of motivating children to read, as well as a wonderful, non-didactic way to teach universal values. Stories can also elevate understanding and acceptance of other cultures, and promote environmental awareness. In addition, Sherry has storytelling tapes and is the co-author of the book, The Moral of the Story: Folktales for Character Development available through August House Publishers.
"Students jumped, chairs scraped and then the tension-relieving laughter ensued. What a great moment!" - Decatur City Schools Media Specialist
"An instant hit with the youth because of your animated stories" - Alaska Children & Trade's Services
"Your ability to engage the audience attests to your talent" - Anchorage Public Library
Sherry Norfolk - Career Highlights
- Cherokee Rose Storytelling Festival, Carrollton, GA
- Corn Island Storytelling Festival, Louisville, KY
- Freeport (Bahamas) Storytelling Festival
- The Hawaii State Library System
- The Anchorage Municipal Library System
- Live Oak Storytelling Festival, Charleston, SC
- Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff
- National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, TN (Exchange Place Teller)
- St. Louis Storytelling Festival
- The Verbal Arts Centre in Derry, North Ireland
- The Hong Kong International School
- Storyteller-in-Residence, Callaway Gardens, GA
- Big South Fork National Recreation Area. TN
- Young Audiences of Atlanta & St. Louis
- Mississippi Arts Commission, Staff Development
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Mercer University “Adjunct Professor of Storytelling & Literacy
- Citadel Reading Conference, Charleston, SC
- University of Alaska, Staff Development, Anchorage
- Florida Atlantic University, Adjunct Professor of Storytelling
Sherry Norfolk - Educational and Community Programs
Find Your Ideal Program!
- Out of the Darkness
- Tales from the First People
- I Read it in a Book
- Ozark Sampler
- Where in the World is...?
- Spine Tinglers and Spine Ticklers
- Value Packed!
- Clearly Clever
- Exploring Ecosystems
- Upon Request
OUT OF THE DARKNESS (PreK-3)
Cultures the world over tell tales of how the sun got to be in the sky. These stories bear striking resemblances to each other -- patterns which young listeners can detect and build upon. In this interactive program, children hear how-and-why sun tales from around the world, then participate in a group writing experience to create a brand new story, which Sherry immediately performs on-stage!
TALES FROM THE FIRST PEOPLE (PreK-12)
Stories from a wide variety of North American native cultures are shared, introducing listeners to the values, traditions and intellect of our First People. Each program is carefully tailored to the individual audience.
I READ IT IN A BOOK (PreK-8th)
Motivating kids to read is the key to lifelong learning -- and this upbeat, highly interactive book-based program is designed to make students run to the bookshelves! Sherry brings books to vibrant life, using voices, sound effects, action and audience participation to help children strengthen important emergent literacy skills such as visualization and vocabulary acquisition while learning that books are reading are FUN!
OZARK SAMPLER (PreK-6th)
Tales of the Ozarks reflect the origins of the people who told them: many of the stories came to the Ozarks from the hills of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, and often parallel European stories in theme and content. Sherry shares these stories that celebrate the animals, people and traditions of the Ozarks with humor and affection.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS...? (PreK-8th)
These stories could come from anywhere in the world! Sherry draws from a repertoire of Beautifully-crafted folktales from six continents in this fast-paced interactive romp. The stories highlight the people, animals, habitats and customs of diverse cultures, allowing listeners the opportunity to recognize the ways in which we are all alike, and appreciate and celebrate our differences.
SPINE TINGLERS AND SPINE TICKLERS (PreK-12th)
A variety of slightly scary poems, literary tales, folktales and original stories are explored while young children get the shivers as well as the giggles! These highly interactive stories employ all "ways of knowing" through rhythm, stimulating language, kinesthetic and oral responses and vivid visual imagery. Stories for older students are also drawn from a variety of genres, providing a high-interest introduction to folktales, literary stories, urban legends and poetry that will engage even the lowest-interest learner!
VALUE PACKED! (PreK-12th)
Folktales to develop character: here's how to teach caring, teamwork, respect, etc. -- without preaching! Students reflect on good and bad character traits as they listen to entertaining and interactive folktales. Character-based lessons are embedded in stories, allowing children to recognize positive and negative role models, interpret stories from varying perspectives, and develop an understanding of the ways in which each individual's decisions and actions affect others.
CLEARLY CLEVER (PreK-8th)
Tricksters appear in every culture: those characters who are often lazy, sometimes greedy, but clearly clever -- who use their brains rather than their brawn to solve problems, get out of trouble, and help their friends. These fun-filled folktales provide listeners with plentiful opportunities to observe and analyze the problem-solving skills of the protagonists. Everyone is invited to join in determining whether those characters are heroes or villains during brief but thought-provoking group discussions
POURQUOI? (PreK-5th)
How and why stories from around the world "explain" the characteristics of animals, plants, sun, moon, stars and landforms. Since the beginning of time, man has tried to make sense of his world through story. These folktales from world traditions demonstrate the humor, imagination and insight of our ancestors. (Note: if requested by presenter, Sherry will help students recognize the pattern of these stories and lead them in developing a group story of their own, which she will immediately tell on-stage!)
EXPLORING ECOSYSTEMS (PreK-3rd)
Arctic regions, seas and deserts, swamplands and rainforests, woodlands and mountains are explored in these highly participatory folktales which highlight the distinctive animals and plants of each habitat. Stories can feature a specific habitat or an assortment of your choosing!
UPON REQUEST (PreK-12)
Programs can be designed for specific themes, special events and holidays.
Sherry Norfolk - Residencies
Tell It!
Residencies for 3rd-12th grade students provide immersion in the both the art and process of storytelling. Students explore multicultural folktales as they learn storytelling and public speaking techniques and develop poise and self-esteem. Develops very effective communication skills for service learning!
Hear It, Write It, Tell It!
Fast-paced, hands-on approach to creative writing and storytelling, emphasizing the relationship between oral and written communication for grades 2-12.
Sherry Norfolk - Student Workshops
Experience intimate, hands-on training with a master!
Quick Writes
After hearing a folktale, the group will be led in using the framework of that tale to create a new story, then asked to create their own individual stories, tell them to partners and write them down. Instant creative writing success! Grades 2-6
Stories Alive!
For parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to develop children into lifelong learners. Dynamic presentation includes hands-on exploration of successful reading-aloud for all ages.
Sherry Norfolk - Staff Development for Educators and Librarians
Sherry will be happy to work with you to develop a program that will meet your specific training needs.
A Power Tool for Brain-Based Education
Brain-based educational research can be applied easily and effectively through storytelling.
Storytelling for Classroom Teachers and Librarians
A hands-on introduction to the art of storytelling and its use throughout the curriculum and/or in the library.
Character Education Through Storytelling
Infuse character education through the curriculum meaningfully and non-didactically through story.
Teaching Kids to Tell Stories
Tested methods to teach students how to create, learn and tell stories.
Raising Readers: Motivating Children to Read
This workshop is for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to develop children into lifelong learners. Dynamic presentation includes hands-on exploration of successful reading-aloud for all ages!
Sherry Norfolk - Keynotes
Ideals for conferences, staff development & state conventions
ALWAYS A STORY
Inspiring and lively discussion of the many ways story and storytelling impact the lives of children.
MAMAS, YOUR KIDS CAN GROW UP TO BE READERS!
For parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to develop children into lifelong learners. Dynamic presentation includes hands-on exploration of successful reading-aloud for all ages. Effective ways to raise children who love literature, language and books.
