Creative Writing Using Belizean Legends Workshop: Dangriga, Belize:
“This was a really interesting session. I will use the describe the experience with their 5 senses and the strong words lists you shared. Thanks a lot!”

Storytelling Workshop:
“The workshop was Great! I will take back to my class getting the children actively involved during storytelling and to relate the stories to the children’s background knowledge. During the course of the storytelling, I will have children predict what happens next.”

What I learned from the story you presented about the Lion and Wise Old Rabbit — Charles Albert, Principal Solid Rock Academy, Dangriga (Note: in this story the lion bullies all the animals and the small rabbit creates a plan to trick him to get him to stop his negative behavior. In the original ending, the rabbit lead the lion to a well, where he believes there is another lion. He jumps in and the rabbit then leaves the lion in the well to die. The moral is: Turn about is fair play. We discuss the ending and what message it would send to listeners about the cycle of violence and then participants are invited to work in small groups to re-write the ending of the story and present their ideas to the larger group.)
In this story the lion was prominent and dominant because of his muscles and awesome physical strength. So he bullied on the weaker, smaller members of the animal kingdom. This got him into eventual trouble with the other animals.

Th rabbit is small and physically weak, but has intellect and was able to convince the Lion to get into the well by telling him another Lion was there that was bigger than he was.

Moral and Spiritual lessons abound for human society. All men are created equal and should value one another no matter the differences in physical features and talent. Muscle means power; and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We are to use power to the benefit of all members of society.

Though this story was focused on the classroom issue of bullying, it has wide practical application to the human society at large.”

Students wanted to meet the characters and were permitted to choose and express feelings, thoughts, and events that were triggered.

Frequent input and encouragement kept students wanting to delve deeper into their creative minds.

What a joy it was to hear the brilliant creations of my students. To have even more time with this vastly talented storyteller and educator would be magical! Thank you! Boonie S. Scott, Teacher 5th Grade Marlborough Elementary School

respectfully yours
Nelson Saldana

Jose Chuc, Bishop Martin School, Belize

I enjoyed your lessons of creative writing. Your reactions toward us and our stories show that storytelling plays a big part in your life and ours. I appreciate you taking time out of your life to come and share worthwhile stories. I would like to learn from you more often. Thank you!

Danika Valerio, Student, San Ignacio, Belize

Christian Lopez