My Mother's Classroom by Terri Jackson

I was raised in a family of educators. My mother, Everlyn S. Franks, taught first grade for many years. She use these techniques and concepts in her classroom many years before scientists and researchers figured it out.

 

She knew Storytelling would develop lifelong skills for children: cognitive understanding, communication, listening, language, and writing skills plus a love for nature.

 

A country girl raised on her parent’s farm, she told stories about feeding and caring for the animals. As the oldest child, Mother  also told stories about taking care of her siblings and how she managed family conflicts. Her students loved to listen to her  humorous family stories , with her quiet voice, and soon began communicating and sharing their own family stories with each other.

 

The class planted seasonal gardens with flowers and vegetables, to share with their families as the students learned to understand their connection with nature.

 

Mother‘s classroom was always filled with story and coloring books kids could borrow and take home.  Additionally, there was an aquarium with brightly colored fish the kids could count and feed, plus a record player for listening to stories or dancing to music. The kids love to play outdoors, but she always had some things they could play with indoors, keeping them engaged  in learning.

 

Reading about the importance of Storytelling to Children, I was glad Mother had a passion for helping children become successful adults through the Art of Storytelling.