Storytelling Podcast Bringing Folktales to Life

Circle Round is a storytelling podcast geared to children aged 4–10. Created and produced by parents of young children, Circle Round tells carefully selected folktales from around the world. The stories are adapted for today’s children into 10- to 20-minute diverse episodes that delve into topics such as kindness, persistence, and generosity. For example, in “The Queen’s Gift”—a story from Africa, the Middle East, and the Caucasus—a prince's newfound weaving skills come in handier than he ever imagined. In the Galician folktale “The Dancing Goats,” an aspiring musician dreams of making the whole world dance. Notable voices bring the stories to life with the help of a public radio host/reporter as narrator. A composer for the stage and screen creates original music for each story. The episodes are adapted and written specifically for Circle Round.

Reading/English/Language Arts Arts Global Awareness

Checking our Systems for Equity: Six Practical Ideas

As teachers, we must check our systems for equity each time we walk into our classrooms. The key word here is “systems,” for without thoughtful practices, even the most well-intentioned among us fall into the old traps of expediency, implicit bias, and tradition. Here are a few practical structures I use as equity checks that take very little time to implement.

Stayin’ Alive: Reflecting on Power of Poetry

By Stacey James McAdoo

“Poetry didn’t save my life; it saved yours.” This quote has been dancing around in my head for several days now. The poet who spoke these words meant them quite literally. If it had not been for the countless hours he spent developing, drafting, and delivering his words, he very well could have been out in the streets up to no good. Additionally, without the impact of his poetic words, someone else’s life may have been negatively impacted or even lost. This sentiment, though on the negative end of the spectrum, still communicates an important message: poetry is powerful, and it changes and saves lives.

Professional Specializations in Curriculum and Instruction

Penn State’s M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and Graduate Certification in Children’s Literature are taught by distinguished faculty from Penn State’s College of Education and conveniently offered online through Penn State World Campus. The M.Ed offers the following benefits.

Choice of five emphases: Children’s Literature, STEM Education, Elementary Education, Curriculum and Supervision, and Theory and Practice in English, Social Studies, and World Languages
Path that allows you to work with an adviser to customize your master's degree
Online courses replicating those in Penn State’s prestigious, high-quality resident program
Education from a university known for preparing and supporting teachers and education professionals.

No matter where you are in the world, you can pursue a master’s degree or certificate backed by a world-class reputation and accreditation, a student support team, and a powerful global network of students and alumni. Request more information here.

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