Ina • The Sunshine Storyteller

Ina’s empowering and enchanting programs of multicultural storytelling, songs, and movement impart character-building lessons that help students spread the wings of their imaginations and human understanding. Ina Buckner-Barnette, The Sunshine Storyteller weaves international tales, curious news stories, movements, and songs to create her interactive story concerts. Schools, libraries, museums, community centers, and festivals are her regular venues. She’s an Emmy award-winning actress, video producer, certificated teacher, and family literacy coach. Her programming supports the California State Framework for the Visual and Performing Arts. Her family-friendly performances and workshops will ignite your imagination and help your students shine like the sun! To learn more about her programs, visit www.sunshinestoryteller.com.

“Animal Crackers” - weaves funny animal folktales, news stories, movement games, and songs from around the globe to practice reading readiness and numeracy skills. For TK - 2nd grade audiences.
“Kaleidoscope” – funny animal folktales, sing-along songs, and news stories from around the world. For 2nd - 5th grade.
“Talking Drums” - A moving collection of Afro-centric folktales and songs to celebrate Black History Month. For K - 2nd grade.
“Out of the Dust” – My family history story about being pioneers who helped build the oldest living Black–owned town west of the Mississippi, Nicodemus, KS. This program includes a PowerPoint show of historical photos of pioneer life. For 3rd - 5th grade.
“Curiosities” – A program of wild and wacky, mysterious and slightly scary stories that's great for Halloween. For 2nd - 5th grade.
“It’s Kwanza Time” - Participatory stories and songs to explore the cultural traditions and celebrate Kwanza. For 2nd - 5th grade.

Workshops:
“Reading Together is Twice the Fun” – a 75 min. workshop of fun, low-cost, and low-tech activities to help parents, caregivers, and teachers share early literacy skills and a love of reading with children 7 and under. For parents, caregivers, and teachers.
“Making Word Pictures” - This 90 min. workshop offers practical and entertaining practice in using ”colorful words” (adjectives, adverbs, synonyms, and antonyms) to enhance student speech and writing. Participants will practice giving and receiving constructive criticism; using eye contact and gestures to enhance the telling of their stories. After implementing the workshop model lessons to encourage the use of descriptive language, classroom instructors and students alike will enjoy an increased use of dramatic presentation skills and a heightened interest in vocabulary expansion. For 2nd – 5th grade students.
Storytelling workshops - for students, teachers, parents/caregivers are available for $475/hour.