Improve Your Teacher-Student Interactions Do you have some students who frequently misbehave? Do you want to improve your interactions with those students? This story demonstrates that you simply need to change the radio frequency you are broadcasting and to alter the way you dance with them.
Click TEACHER’S TIPS to read the full article on Examiner.com by the School Conflict Resolution Examiner - Debbie Dunn.
More About The Author:
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the staff development follow-up workshop she created to accompany her curriculum called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills. To print off this story in role-play form, please click on the following link: Click HERE to download and print.
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
Aunt Eva and a Dog Named Bob Aunt Eva, suffering from many handicaps, was going to be all alone for the week her sister and brother-in-law would be in Niagara Falls. Before they left, Carl turned to his dog and said, "Bob, you take care of Aunt Eva. Don't let anything happen to her."
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
Character Education Lesson Plan - Through this lesson plan and Conflict Resolution skits, students will gain an understanding of why it is more trustworthy and responsible to be part of the solution rather than to be part of the problem.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Lesson Plan - Animal Justice for Hyena and Hare "Animal Justice for the Hyena and the Hare" - A Conflict Resolution and Character Education Lesson Plan teaching the concepts of justice, being responsible, dealing with threats, Critical-Thinking, Oral-Speaking, and the usage of I Messages and diplomacy.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Animal Justice for the Hyena and the Hare Character Ed. Tale - The Grandmothers of the Kikuyu tribe of Kenya tell stories to teach the children important lessons like don't be greedy. Listen to this tale and see if you agree it also has a strong message about Justice and about being Responsible.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
The Scream Lena heard a scream! The children were safe in bed. Her husband, Sylvester, was off in the barn, helping one of the cows birth a calf. As she ran outside to help her husband, their normally friendly dog began to attack her. What was Lena going to do?
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
Serena and Faith Serena guides Faith as she makes the choice whether she wishes to be a citizen of the DIET AND EXERCISE ISLAND or the FOLLOW YOUR BLISS ISLAND. Which will she select to meet her weight loss goals? Find out by reading the story called "Serena and Faith."
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
Parable of Little Pearl: Thou Shalt Love Thy Body! Imagine that every time you condemn yourself for being overweight, your inner child is trapped in an icy tomb. The only way you can free her and yourself is to embrace and love your body as it is this very moment. Please enjoy the Parable of Little Pearl.
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
The Three Little Pigs Vocabulary Challenge A Vocabulary Challenge Tale: Do you need some help learning some definitions and usage of some more challenging vocabulary words? Try out this parody of an old, traditional tale called "The Three Little Pigs."
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Vocabulary Challenge A Vocabulary Challenge Tale: Do you need some help learning some definitions and usage of some more challenging vocabulary words? Try out this parody of an old, traditional tale called "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com
The Uninvited Wedding Guest Jeannie loved Kent and Kent loved Jeannie. So one day, they decided to get married. They found a preacher. They found a church. Their wedding day was fast approaching. Unknown to them, there was an uninvited wedding guest who planned to attend.
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1989. For more information on her Storytelling and Workshop offerings, please visit her Storytelling Website at http://moredunntales.com. She is the author of "The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist" written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. This book was published in March of 2008. For more information about this Bell Witch book, her one-woman show based on this book, or to purchase the book using Pay Pal, please visit her Bell Witch Website at http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Her next book is due to be published later in 2009. It is titled "White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder," also written under her pen name of DJ Lyons. For more information about this book, please visit her Ask DJ Lyons Website at http://askdjlyons.com.
This story is about a boy not only making a false accusation of a good friend, he punches him in the nose. Will his friend agree to forgive him? Find out in the story called "Matt Falsely Accuses Jonathan Of Stealing."
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Jason is offended and angry that Blake put him down. The rest of the morning went from bad to worse. At lunch, his best friend Lee taught him how to use the SPAM method of anger management and Stairstep Thinking to psych himself into feeling better again.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Control Your Anger with SPAM (Stop-Ponder-Appreciate-Moment)
Emily and Mike have a great deal of trouble keeping control of their temper. The guidance counselor teaches them about a method of Anger Management called SPAM (Stop, Ponder, Appreciate, the Moment). The story is called "Control Your Anger With SPAM."
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Blake was filled with fury. You could have cut the tension between his parents with a knife. They yelled at each other half the night, as Blake lay trembling and angry in his room. At school, he felt the need to vent that anger on some of the students.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Sam Chooses to Self-Mentor Instead of to Give in to Psychological Warfare
Remember Shawn and his gang? You will hear some more details about their psychological warfare attempts in this story called, "Sam Chooses To Self Mentor Instead Of To Give In To Psychological Warfare."
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Pranks, Idle Threats, and Promises This story demonstrates that it is not appropriate to make threats or promises to administer bodily harm at school. The action of making threats or pulling pranks can often backfire as it did in this story called "Pranks, Idle Threats, And Promises."
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Shawn and his gang were waging psychological warfare on Tyler. One day, Dennis playfully nudged Tyler while he was with them. Instead of laughing in welcome, Tyler and the gang accused Dennis of hitting Tyler and warned him he better watch his back.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
This story will demonstrate the VICTIM-VICTIMIZER CYCLE in action. The two characters who interact together are a bully named Jake and a boy named Eddie. The story is called "Bully Jake And Eddie."
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
This is a story about a Princess who has never laughed and a goofy guy named Jack. The story was inspired by Richard Chase's story called "Jack And The King's Girl" found in his book called THE JACK TALES.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
It All Happened Because Mark Overslept And Missed Breakfast
Conflict happens when one or more of your Basic Needs get messed with. Listen to this story about Mark and the chain reaction of actions that happened as a result of what was going wrong with him.
In addition to being a Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn is a Conflict Resolution Specialist. For five years (1998 to 2003) at an East Tennessee middle school, Debbie taught Conflict Resolution techniques, Character Education strategies, and Public Speaking. The class was called Communication Skills. This story is part of the curriculum she created called 3 C's: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.
Do you have a story you could donate that could potentially travel the world? Please consider donating it to the Story Box Project at http://thestoryboxproject.ning.com/. You can see the 4 stories that I donated at my page on that site.
Have a great day and best wishes to you all, Professional Storyteller & Published Author, Debbie Dunn
Recently, I was asked to share my experience in being a Conflict Resolution Specialist. I started my response with, "My answer is complicated rather than a simple answer. Isn’t that true of most things?
In the summer of 1998, I was hired to teach a related arts class for an East TN Middle School. The state of TN had recently mandated that participating schools teach some form of the “Peaceable Schools” program.
Creating the Peaceable School: Program Guide: A Comprehensive Program for Teaching Conflict Resolution (Paperback) by Richard J. Bodine (Author), Donna K. Crawford (Author), Fred Schrumpf (Author)
They hired me one week after the teacher training in that program took place. I bought a copy of that book for myself and spent the summer studying that book and many, many others. I also began thinking back through my life when I was in middle school. I wrote some stories about that time period. I interviewed friends and family members for conflict situations they were involved in and wrote stories and role-plays about that. I looked through story collections and folklore collections and found stories that would lend themselves to a conflict resolution story that might be relevant to middle school students. That first year was quite a year of learning.
The principal, a real man of vision, knew that one of my greatest area’s of expertise was in creating curriculum. He knew I was a professional storyteller. He knew that I had previously taught elementary school for seven years. I was certified to teach K-3 and 1-8. He asked that I come up with a class that would teach conflict resolution, peaceable schools, character education, and public speaking. We finally decided to call my class COMMUNICATION SKILLS. I taught this class through the use of role-plays, storytelling and story-reading (reader’s theater), and Bloom’s Taxonomy discussion questions (6 per story). I always did a week-long storytelling/public speaking unit as well. This class was such a joy and honor to teach.
By the way, this was his second of his only two years being our principal. Then they hired on a woman principal who was also a woman of vision. I taught this class for five very happy years until a budget-cut forced our district to cut out almost all special programs. During that five-year period, I had 150 6th, 7th, and 8th graders a day for a 9-week period. I taught about 500 kids a year these topics. Some of my students the following year were repeat students. It was truly a dream job while it lasted.
As for the PeaceableSchool program, it was a pretty good program if you were an elementary school kid. As for our hard-nosed middle school kids (over 50% of them lived in trailer parks), most of them being street-wise and tough, that program was far too wimpy. The kids would look at me, roll their eyes, and say, “Miss Dunnnnnnnnnnnnnn, give me a break.” In my head, I had to agree.
An example of one of the stories:
Two 12-year old fraternal twin brothers were fighting over the one orange that was in the house. One wanted to make orange muffins. One wanted to have a glass of orange juice. Half an orange was not going to be enough for either boy. The two boys argued and cried. Their mother came up with a unique solution. The brother who wanted to make orange muffins got the outer part of the orange. The brother who wanted a glass of orange juice got the inner part of the orange. Both boys were happy.
That spring, I went through a peer mediation training along with one guidance counselor and several hand-picked kids. We started a peer mediation program at our school. I did this for the rest of that year and the following year. Once they hired a second guidance counselor, I only acted as a consultant and helped with the training from that point forward.
That spring, the school shootings happened at ColumbineHigh School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999. That event galvanized me. I realized that I was going to have to do much, much more if I was going to get through to these middle school kids and make a real difference in their lives. I spent those last few weeks of school interviewing about 200 kids. I used my planning periods to visit other classes. I also interviewed my own classes. I brought in a tape recorder. I promised them that as long as they didn’t tell me a story that I must report by law, everything they said would be entirely anonymous. There would be no consequences for the anecdotes they shared. In the interest of helping others and improving my class, I asked them to share with me what kind of things they had to deal with on a regular basis at school, at the community center, at home, and out in the neighborhoods. Those kids poured out their guts to me. I spent that entire summer re-vamping my whole program. Since I was no longer required to include the Peaceable Schools stories, I deleted all but the basic concepts about peer mediation and a few other topics that were still of definite value.
I wrote the most overt, in-your-face, hard-nosed stories that I could based on the true events these kids shared. The kids were my teachers. They taught me what did and did not work. I refined my program over and over again. I researched book after book, looking for the best that I could bring to this class. I also did a lot of praying before writing each story as I so longed to write it in such a way that I could positively impact the lives of these students given into my care. I realized that the story had to touch their heart. In those brief seconds between an overt action that would galvanize them to react in either a negative or positive fashion, I wanted to plant a seed and give them a set of tools that they could use to steer them toward a more positive reaction and response than a negative reaction and response. I also had to learn to release the outcome of what I taught. I realized it was going to be more the spiral effect of teaching. Even if the kids didn’t allow themselves to step down or turn away from a fight the first time or the second time, … perhaps eventually, the concepts I taught would get through to them and they would find more positive methods for dealing with themselves, their friends, acquaintances, family members, teachers, etc.
Those kids poured out their hearts to me. I gave my very best and my heart to them and that program. I eventually came up with over 3000 pages of curriculum. I had a totally unique program that I taught to each grade. A man from the Central Office came up with a grant to print my 7th-grade curriculum called “The 3 C’s: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, & Communication Skills.” It was composed of a step-by-step teacher’s manual and a student manual.
I eventually taught workshops and teacher in-services on that subject in my last year before the budget-cut took place. It was five of the happiest years of my life. It was truly heart-breaking to have to become a regular teacher after that. I stuck it out for 2 ½ years as a 7th-grade English teacher. But it was just not the same. So I turned in my letter of resignation and left the school-teaching profession. In the meantime, my curriculum gathers dust in my storage building.
The process I used was as follows:
I would introduce the concepts. We would discuss vocabulary and terms.
I would read the story that addressed that topic.
We would pass out the role-plays that were a reproduction of that story in reader’s theater form. We would get volunteers to play the actor roles. They would sit up front and share one microphone between them. The rest of the class took turns reading the narrator parts. They passed a microphone from desk to desk. My class was set up like a double-horseshoe to keep the microphone cord from getting tangled.
Afterward, I would lead the class in a discussion of the story by asking six Bloom’s Taxonomy Questions. Often, I called these questions “candy questions.” I always had runts, skittles, or some other-type candy on hand. If they shared an honest answer and tried their best, they had the option to come up and get a piece of candy as a sort of reward. I had stickers for those kids who didn’t like candy.
We also had a time where students could share the real problems they were facing with teachers and with other students. We would “lab” this in on-the-spot role-plays. The class and I would help brainstorm how they could deal with this in a more win-win fashion. The kids would then act out this situation, trying on various solutions like you would try on an outfit. The kids would sometimes report back on whether this new response helped.
Eventually, I hope to get portions of my curriculum published. I also hope some schools of vision will find the funding where I can once again teach that class.
In the meantime, I am writing a non-fiction book on bullying. I have finally set up an anonymous survey on one of my websites: http://askdjlyons.com/Bullies_Victims.html. I have a STORIES OUT OF A TRUNK program called “Be Bully Free” ready to start presenting to interested elementary schools around the USA in the fall: http://moredunntales.com/id5.html. My passion continues to be conflict resolution. As long as the schools will pay my travel expenses and a reasonable fee, I would like to bring my “Be Bully Free” program to schools anywhere in the Continental United States.
Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated from any of you. Do you think schools in your area would like to have that program at their schools?
As far as my survey, do you have groups of kids that could fill out that anonymous survey?
So what do the rest of you do in the way of conflict resolution? I would love to hear your story.
Best Wishes to you,
Debbie Dunn, Professional Storyteller & Conflict Resolution Specialist
Abby Looks for the Blessings in Being a Full-Time Resident of a Nursing Home Abby was forced to give up her independence to become a full-time nursing home resident. What are the blessings in that kind of life?
As a professional storyteller, I also perform stories and teach storytelling workshops at nursing homes. Please visit my storytelling website for more information or to book a performance: http://moredunntales.com.
Professional Storyteller, Ms. Debbie Dunn, is writing a non-fiction book about bullies. Please write about a time you got bullied (called names, forced to hand over money or possessions, hit, kicked, or pushed). Please include full details of what he or she said or did and how you responded each time. In other words, write a paragraph in response to most questions. No need to tell me your name. This will protect your privacy. Thank you!
This is mainly aimed at students; however, feel free to share events that happened to you when you were in elementary school, middle school, high school, or college.
Options: a. E-mail your answers to Debbie Dunn at her e-mail address of moredunntales@yahoo.com.
2. What grade were you in when this bully situation happened?
3. What did the bully say or do that got you upset?
4. Was the bully a boy or a girl? What grade was he or she in?
5. How did you respond? Did you cry, run away, call them a name back, hit them, tell a teacher or parent, or what?
6. Where did this bully situation take place? In the classroom, cafeteria, gym, playground, hallway, bathroom, or where?
7. Were there any teachers around at the time? Did they see? Did they respond? Did they help?
8. If there were no teachers around, did you report to a teacher what happened? What about your parent or guardian? Did either or both of them do anything to help you?
9. Did the bully do anything to bother you again or was it just that one time? If they did bother you again, what did they do this time and all the other times?
10. How did you respond each time?
11. Has the bully ever apologized?
12. Do you do anything to self-mentor yourself in an effort to make yourself feel better such as remember to take deep, calming breaths, give yourself a pep talk, confide in a family member, guidance counselor, friend, or someone else whom you trust, write in a journal, distract yourself with an enjoyable activity, etc?
Thank you so much for your help! I feel your answers will be really helpful to others reading the book I am working on. Have a wonderful year! I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Best Wishes,
Ms. Debbie Dunn Professional Storyteller & Conflict Resolution Specialist (I taught conflict resolution to 500 middle school students a year for 5 years.)
Announcing Debut of Debbie Dunn’s newest STORIES OUT OF A TRUNK Program called “Greedy Spider”
Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn will visit Little Milligan Elementary School on Friday, May 1, 2009 to conduct her latest STORIES OUT OF A TRUNK Program called “Greedy Spider.”
Little Milligan Elementary School is part of Carter County, TN. It is a K-8 school located in Butler, Tennessee with only 144 students.
8:30 to 9:15 – Debbie will perform Jack Tales & Other Fun Stories for the entire school
9:30 to 11:30 – All the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders plus seven 5th graders (54 total) will be the performers in the STORIES OUT OF A TRUNK play called “Greedy Spider.” These 54 kids will take part in a 2-hour workshop. The play parts will be introduced. Auditions will be held. Then we will conduct a dress rehearsal in the gym.
Debbie provides her sound system and all 54 costumes. She acts as narrator and director as she leads the students in getting ready to perform the afternoon assembly. To view all 59 costumes, click HERE. This page will open in a new window.
1:00 to 2:00 - Parents & Press plus all the teachers, students, & staff are invited to watch the play called “The Greedy Spider” featuring 54 kids from their school. Debbie Dunn acts as Narrator & Director. She will also perform a solo story or two.
PLAY DESCRIPTION: The Greedy Spider made his 8 children do all the work. One day, each Spider Kid was invited to a different party. He was too greedy to risk going to a party that would not serve the best food. He only agreed to let his children go to the parties provided they would tie a rope to one of his eight legs. Then, if his favorite food was being served, the child was directed to pull on that rope so he would only have to attend one party. In the meantime, he would take a nap. At each party, there were stories told before refreshments were served:
At one of the parties, The Loud-Mouth Frog was performed. Performers: Frog, Crow Parent, 3 Crow Babies, Squirrel Parent, 3 Squirrel Babies, Queen Bee, 3 Bee Babies, Rabbit Parent, 4 Rabbit Babies, Monkey Parent, 3 Monkey Babies, Bear Parent, 1 Bear Cub, & Snake.
At another party, The Tiger & His 5 Counselors (a revised Aesop’s Fable) was performed. Performers: King or Queen Tiger, Best Friend Fox, 1st pair of Counselors: Deer #1 & Deer #2; 2nd pair of Counselors: Coyote & Fuzzy Rabbit; and 3rd Wise Counselor: Eagle.
At a final party, The Foolish Porcupine was performed. (Re-told by Debbie Dunn. Original version of tale called "The Foolish Rabbit" by Rafe Martin). Performers: Foolish Porcupine, 3 other Porcupines, both Raccoons, An Alpha Wolf and his pack of 5 other wolves, and Lion.
Finally, the Refreshments were served. It turns out that every party was serving the Greedy Spider’s favorite food. Therefore, each Spider Kid pulled on his or her rope. Come watch the play to enjoy the comic results.
For more information or to book a STORIES OUT OF A TRUNK Program for your Elementary School, Children's Program, Library, or Summer Camp, please call Professional Storyteller Debbie Dunn at (423) 422-9728 or e-mail her at moredunntales@yahoo.com. I have negotiable rates.
To view all 59 costumes, click HERE. This page will open in a new window.
Debbie has been telling stories and teaching storytelling around the USA, full-time from 1989 to 1997, part-time from 1998 to 2008, and full-time from January 2009 onward.
Debbie tells age-appropriate stories.
Debbie encourages lots of audience participation as she performs.
Debbie has been a member of the National Storytelling Network and the Tennessee Storytelling Association since 1990.
EDUCATION
In 1980, Debbie earned her 2 Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and in Sociology.
In 1989, Debbie earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Storytelling.
PUBLISHED AUTHOR AND ONE WOMAN THEATRE SHOWS
Debbie performs One Woman Theatre Shows based on her two published books written under her pen name of DJ Lyons:
- The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last; The True Story Of A Poltergeist (published March 2008) - White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder (published early in 2010)
TEACHER
Debbie was an Elementary teacher for 7 years: Pre-First, Chapter I Math Lab, Grades 4, 4-5 split, and 5.
Debbie was a Middle School teacher: Conflict Resolution teacher for 5 years (Grades 6, 7, and 8) and a 7th Grade English teacher for 2 ½ years.
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