Teachers, Educators and Stage Co-ordinators,
Welcome to my enchanted world! I utilise the art of storytelling and performance to bring information to life in a meaningful and connected way.
My aim is to connect and to spread the love of books as a source of joy, education and imagination development!
I work with a wide range of audiences and contexts from schools, libraries and events (such as literature festivals).
I have a number of incursions that complement the Australian School Curriculum.
I am currently offering a magical storytelling reproduction of the well-known fairytale, ‘Goldilocks’, ideally suited to prep (or kinder in NSW) to grade two as part of the Literature unit. This incursion offers many educational outcomes and students will learn the composition of the fairytale, its enduring magic and reflect on why we still need fairytales. There is a seguing into the ‘fractured fairytale’ and a retelling of ‘Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians’.
Also, I offer general literature appreciation sessions (presentation of growth mindset stories and author appreciation as well as a literary adventure session).
INCURSION COST: $8 per student or $400 minimum (whichever is greater). The session is 50 minutes (plus 40 minutes set up and 40 minutes pack up time).
Also, please consider Fairy Poppilina, the Book and Fairytale Fairy, for Book Week festivities/celebrations!
Fairy Poppilina is also found on the ‘findschoolworkshop’ website.
1. FAIRYTALE EDUCATION / GOLDILOCKS INCURSION:
This is an invitation for all prep [QLD] / Kinder [NSW] and grade one, two e students to meet a “real” fairy, Fairy Poppilina, the fairytale and storytelling fairy, in ‘FAIRY POPPILNA’S GOLDILOCKS/FAIRYTALE EDUCATION SESSION’.
Students will learn the ‘secret magical’ fairytale recipe/ [fairytale composition] and its enduring power.
Students, at times, will also become part of Fairy Poppilina’s Storytelling Reproduction of the well-known fairytale, ‘Goldilocks’ – marching through the forest like the three bears and using their range of ‘bear voices’, allowing students to explore voice and movement, learn about focus, identify the main idea of this fairytale and learn how ideas can be expressed through role and story.
They will seek to find if Goldilocks ever apologised and if the three bears chose to forgive her; thus emphasizing how fairytales are evolutionary and adaptable; with the origins and components of the fairytale remaining but adapting to current values and concepts [such as growth mindset].
The key objectives are to engage and develop students to:
- recognise and apply literary concepts such as the distinction of a fairytale’s structure
- expression through voice, movement and role play
- apply creative thinking to problem solve and overcome real or imagined obstacles
- explore concepts relating to morals
- distinguish different personalities and build empathy
Fairy Poppilina looks forward to sharing her fairytale magic at your school!
Fairy Poppilina also recommends (and can include) a retelling of ‘Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians’, a fractured fairytale. and touches on how fairytales and fractured fairytales vary.
Fairy Poppilina is a delightful incursion provider and can also be found on ‘findaschoolworkshop.com’
NB: Prep/Kinder/Grade One teachers – this is a great session in follow up to the fairytale unit.
Grade Two teachers – the fairytale is a fine example of the narrative and complements narrative unit studies.
Grade Three – teachers, fairytales and fractured fairytales, link to the study of ‘Imaginative Texts’.
” This week our Preps had a visit from Fairy Poppilina to give a magical storytelling reproduction of the fairytale ‘Goldilocks’. Thank you, Fairy Poppilina, for coming out to see us. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed your story (retelling) very much!” Cindy Cropper – Faith Lutheran Primary – Victoria Point, Brisbane [November 2022]
‘BOOKS ARE MAGIC’ / GENERAL LITERATURE APPRECIATION:
Fairy Poppilina imparts the truism of: BOOKS ARE MAGIC! Through good quality stories, we LEARN, LAUGH and are LIBERATED. Good stories ‘stick’; they inhabit the dark recesses of the mind and heart.
“There is no friend as loyal as a book” – Ernest Hemmingway.
Fairy Poppilina has carefully curated her selection of stories to three main categories: growth mindset [PDHP], author appreciation and literary adventures.
GROWTH MINDSET STORIES:
Growth Mindset stories are integral to emotional development. Fairy Poppilina considers ‘Never Say No To A Princess’ by Tracey Corderoy and ‘Dogs Don’t Do Ballet’ two of the most mind-blowing, impactful children’s stories. This session includes a plethora of educational outcomes. Students will have the chance to create their imaginary friend and/or create a wishbox to stow their “dreams and aspirations”.
Never Say No To A Princess [Tracey Corderoy]
This is a personal development/growth mindset story that teaches valuable lessons concerning the importance of manners/being nice and friendship superseding material things. This pain-in-the-neck princess is never happy until one day she meets a dragon. As the story unfolds, students can think about positive ways to behave. Also, students may think about how friends come in all shapes and sizes ..
“I want no more things, I just want a friend to have fun with”.
Dogs Don’t Do Ballet [Anna Kemp]
Another growth mindset story that shows the importance of determination, tenacity and listening to your dreams. Also, this story illustrates the debunking of stereotypes metaphorically.
“There was Biff out dancing as light as a sugarpuff. Dogs can do ballet”. We can all do anything our hearts and minds desire…
AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR APPRECIATION – AARON BLABEY
Students will learn the fascinating back story to Aaron Blabey’s success as a children’s author and illustrator followed by receiving two of his outstanding works (see below). There is a group, story sequencing activity and much follow up discussion.
Noah Dreary [Aaron Blabey]
Consequences, redemption and resilience are encapsulated in this enthralling story of a boy losing his head PHYSICALLY AND METAPHORICALLY due to over-complaining! Its pithy messages of redemption and newfound gratitude are just so important!
Thelma The Unicorn
If there was ever a story to promote the theme of being true to yourself and being proud of who you are, then this is it! Wow and wow! Also, this story portrays the downside of fame. The ending is ‘goosebumpingly-endearingly’ sweet ..Thelma returns to her best friend who has always accepted her. Now Thelma does too.
“Thank you, Poppilina; it was a wonderful incursion and I have recommended you to other staff”. Teresa Horan, Teacher, St Joachim’s Primary School, Lidcombe.
AUTHOR APPRECIATION – JULIA DONALDSON
Students will learn how Julia Donaldson became famous (she had an epiphany in 1993 to turn one of her songs she had written into a picture book. This book was A Squash And A Squeeze and its publishing was a monumental point in her life and career) amongst other ‘fun facts’ about one of the world’s finest children’s authors. Subsequently, two stories will be presented followed by student activities.
A Squash and a Squeeze [Julia Donaldson]
Fairy Poppilina retells this story, which is based on an old Jewish fable and has an important moral about being grateful for what we have, with such warmth and dramatic conventions. It includes repetitive rhyme add lots of audience interaction. A little old lady lives all by herself but she’s not happy – the house is too small, even for one. The wise old man knows what to do: bring in a flapping, scratchy, greedy, noisy crowd of farmyard animals. When she pushes them all out again, she’ll be amazed at how big her house now feels.
The Singing Mermaid and/or Sugarlump and the Unicorn
Both favourites of Fairy Poppilina and told with great emotion and warmth.
Julia Donaldson, when visiting a literature festival in Sydney, was introduced to Fairy Poppilina and was intrigued to know Fairy Poppilina’s favourite Julia Donaldson story. When Fairy Poppilina declared ‘Sugarlump and the Unicorn’ her favourite, Julia Donaldson kindly bestowed an autographed copy of the said book to Fairy Poppilina!
LET’S GO ON A STORY ADVENTURE WITH FAIRY POPPILINA (ADVENTURE STORIES):
This session is to highlight the sense of adventure books allow us to experience.
The Journey Home [Alison Lester]
Can you imagine digging a hole in your sandpit and finding yourself falling into it and coming out at the North Pole? Then, whilst attempting to return home, you undertake a magical odyssey where you met Santa, a pirate, a mermaid, a fairy and a gypsy. What will you eat, where will you sleep? Such an imaginative story! Students are then asked which magical/mythical creature is most appealing and why. Students also have the opportunity to design their own magical journey – would it be in space, amongst the treetops, under the sea?
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt [Rosen]
Lots of magical movement and fun in this repetitive and exciting story!
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Other:
Fairy Poppilina would turn every book into a ‘storytelling sensation’ (yet realises this is humanly impossible and may not complement curriculum). However, she would like to mention other titles of books that are also very much favourites:
AARON BLABEY: Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley, A Mouse Named Julian
ANNA KEMP: Dave The Lonely Monster, The Worst Princess
CARYL HART: The Princess and The Presents, The Princess and The Peas, Whiffy Wilson (The Wolf Who Wouldn’t Go To School), Peter Pan, The Princess and the Giant,
OTHERS: The Children Who Loved Books by Peter Cavanagh, Farmer Duck by Waddell, Pinkalcious and Purpilicious by Elizabeth Kann, Amelia Ellicott’s Garden by Liliana Stafford, The Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant (Oscar Wilde).
FAIRY ‘FINEPRINT’
- The session time is approximately 45 minutes.
- Maximum number of students per session = 30 [one class at a time ideally]
- Minimum of three classes
- Fairy Poppilina is able to provide up to four sessions in a day
- Fairy Poppilina sets up in one spot for her visit [no moving between classrooms, just one room for the entirety, due to set up etc].
- Fairy Poppilina would LOVE a table, a chair and a music stand [if possible]
- Fairy Poppilina will arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for set up etc.
Great stories change lives. They introduce us to characters whom we don’t normally encounter in our day to day existences, they take us on adventures, they help us learn important lessons; essentially stories are pivotal to our emotional and educational development.
