Third graders and storyteller Regi Carpenter standing and participating in an activity

Third graders from nine local school districts learned about storytelling from author and performer Regi Carpenter during a recent Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program event.

“In this full-day workshop, students learned storytelling skills through writing, drawing, movement, listening and performance,” Herkimer BOCES Honors Program Coordinator Deborah Schoff said. “Working independently and in small- and whole-group ensembles, students also learned to collaborate, listen respectfully and engage creatively with one another.”

The “Soaring Stories – Storytelling with Regi Carpenter” workshop took place on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Complex in Herkimer. Students from Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mount Markham, Poland, Richfield Springs and West Canada Valley participated.

The Herkimer BOCES Honors Program is open to students in Herkimer BOCES component school districts and is designed to support the potential of students in grades 3-12 who have above average interests and abilities in a particular area. Programs allow for interaction with like-minded peers. Students learn by engaging in educational activities with presenters who are noted in their field. Exploration and programs provide for different learning styles and include topics in the arts and sciences as well as literature and history. Ongoing evaluation of all programs by teachers and students assures their relevance and quality.

Storyteller Regi Carpenter sitting in a chair talking to third graders who are sitting on the floor
Storyteller, author and performer Regi Carpenter teaches local third graders about storytelling during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center in Herkimer.

Storyteller Regi Carpenter and third graders standing for an activityThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a tableThird graders posing together at a table

Regi Carpenter posing with third gradersRegi Carpenter sitting in a chair talking to third graders sitting below her on the floorThird graders smilingTwo third graders standing and smilingThird grader sitting cross-legged on the floor and writing on paperStoryteller Regi Carpenter on the floor talking to two studentsStudent and adult sitting in chairs talkingTwo students standingRegi Carpenter drawing on a board up front as others look on from tablesThird graders at tables

Third grader and adult talking at a tableThird grader and adult talking at a tableThird grader and adult talking at a table