The Story Connection is an engaging and dynamic interactive initiative designed by Community Works to support standards-based English language arts teaching and learning through the effective use of oral language experiences including but not limited to story-telling and theatrical presentations.

School staff members are trained to carefully guide students through a proven-effective multicultural program that involves the following high quality activities:

examination of oral history traditions

storytelling techniques

illuminating cultural history through storytelling

student writing (essays, interviews, poems, narrative, descriptions, et al) about cultural traditions

study of American and other national folk-tales, legends, myths, fairytales, nonfiction, et al

student art work celebrating traditions revealed through oral histories

theater techniques associated with oral history and storytelling

in-school story-telling and mini-theater performances

The Story Connection promotes standards-bearing work related to the following: Speaking, Listening, and Viewing components of the English language arts standards: E3a - participate in one-to-one conferences; E3b - participate in group meetings; and E3c - prepare and deliver an individual presentation. The Story Connection supports the goals of Project Read in elementary schools.

The Story Connection also offers students the opportunity to meet the New York State Arts Standards associated with creating, appreciating, and understanding art in the performing arts area. The Story Connection supports the goals of Project Arts across the grade levels.