Dan Gibson Storyteller/Banjoplayer Dallas, TX dan.gibson@juno.com 214-331-4559

Selected by the Texas Commission on the Arts for its 2006-2008 Touring Artists Roster. http://www.arts.state.tx.us 800-252-9415; 512-463-5535

Getting the Most from a Guest Storyteller at Your School Many thanks to Mary Grace Ketner for permission to adapt this page from her web site. Storytellers will work with you every step of the way to help you achieve your educational goals as well as to let students enjoy oral literature and the storytelling tradition. Let Dan know if you are looking for stories which support a particular curriculum topic or originate from a particular culture. Fees are negotiable, and can include portions of days or special projects. Travel and out-of-town expenses are additional. Consider sharing the costs by teaming up with other teachers/librarians/schools for a "package deal." This could include performances over one or more days among several grade levels or schools. Out-of-town travel and expences are in addition performance fees. Apply for subsidy funding (up to 50%) through a grant from the Texas Commission for the Arts. For details, check the TCA web site or, even better, call 877-817-3122 (toll free); or 817-321-8300; FAX 817-321-8302; or e-mail anina@arts.state.tx.us This is a first-come/first-served funding source, so apply as early as possible. The application is submitted on-line only. The first time you or someone else from your school fills out the application form, it is pretty tricky, but after that, you can simply fill in the blanks. After you have hired a storyteller be sure to keep the lines of communications open (the storyteller bears an equal share of this responsibility). Call or send a confirmation about a week before the visit to tie up loose ends or give the final schedule and directions or a map with particulars such as where to park or how to check in at your school's office. Invite other teachers,supervisors and librarians to visit your class on the day the teller comes whenever possible; plan breaks and lunch for all-day engagements. One proven plan for storyteller visits to elementary schools is to schedule grade level programs in the library. Avoid placing children of vastly different ages together, such as an afternoon kinder with a 5th grade session. The length of each program can vary depending on the ages of the children. K-1 programs are usually shorter than those for 4th and 5th grades. Avoid cafetoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums for storytelling. The acoustics are usually terrible, and those rooms are usually too large to foster the "up close and personal" atmosphere in which storytelling works best. Libraries, music rooms, or spare classrooms (remember those?) provide the best storytelling venues.