805-368-3182

FAMILY EVENING PROGRAMS

Jim learned his storytelling skills at the hands of his aunts, uncles, parents, and teachers. Family stories bridge generations, provide a memory bank for those yet born, and offer valuable guidance simply through the sharing of family stories or sagas. Jim offers schools opportunities to go beyond a school visit to gather with families in the evening. Jim involves all in his participatory tellings as he engages students and parents in a festive collection of tales. Whether linked on the eve of school assemblies or a stand alone booking, Jim is always flexible to make such experiences both accessible and affordable.

YOUNG AUTHOR’S CELEBRATIONS

Jim is a well-known free-lance journalist-author. While his focus is oral-storytelling, Jim is savvy about promoting excellent writing. He also brings written stories to life with his oral presentations. Whether it is an assembly, a workshop, a story creation, Jim is available to help celebrate the work of young authors and offers guidance in creating their voice.
Photo: Jim Cogan Celebrates Dr. Seuss

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS/RESIDENCIES

Speaking Up: The Power of Storytelling in Education

Person-Place-Plot: Jim offers 60-90-minute workshops to guide teachers to help students develop their own written and oral storytelling skills. Jim provides a 3-step model using drawing, partnering, and presentation activities for participants to create a story sketch. Teachers learn by becoming storytellers themselves and can readily pass on this method in their own way to the students they teach. Storytelling is a universal skill as it grabs the attention of many different learners. Workshops are recommended to focus on specific age groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-8.