What is a book? Where do stories come from? David explores these questions with grades K-12. Students will: learn to hold stories in paper-folding and string figures; find stories in stones, weather patterns, and the life cycles of plants and animals; invent finger plays and pattern stories; compose and retell their own life experiences.

David’s residencies directly address competency goals in Arts and English Language, students also explore core concepts in Science for Inquiry, Systems, Order, Change and Constancy as they explore the natural world for ancient patterns that create new stories. As your class discovers and creates stories, Social Studies competencies are involved when they practice pattern recognition, problem solving, interpretation, and public speaking. A residency with David Novak is A Telling Experience!

"David,

I wanted to share with you something you inspired. My class has written pour quoi tales and today we had the parents come in for our storytellers' campfire. We made a "campfire" out of a crate, a lamp, and yellow and orange tissue paper taped around the outside. We made construction paper twigs and sticks then snapped our fingers, popped our palms, and slapped our hands to get our fire going. Finally we warmed them by the blaze before sharing our stories with our parents. It was magical! THANK YOU!"

(click the fire to see how David creates A Storytellers' Fire)
:-)

Fran Emmel
Charles Townes Center @ Sterling School, Greenville, SC 29607

"David,

Thank you again for coming to visit. The class was very excited both before and after your presentation. I thought the stories correlated nicely with some of the subject matter we have been working on in class and the students enjoyed being able to actively participate. I hope you will be available in the future for more telling experiences. I have told several others of your storytelling and I hope they will take advantage of this opportunity.
Thanks!"
Jonathan Burnette
North Buncombe Elementary, NC