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TEACHES TRADITIONS AND TOLERANCE
Music, Folk Tales and Fun
Singer, Storyteller Performs for Children in Winter Haven
by Donna Kelly-HartChildren laughed as Ursa the Bear snored and grumbled loudly as her owner poked and prodded her side. Ursa and her owner, folk singer and storyteller Lui Collins, entertained Elbert Elementary School students Monday while teaching them the finer points of folk tales.
Collins' appearance was an enrichment activity intended to solidify children's understanding of folk tales, said first-grade teachers Valarie Satterfield and Carol Sue Martin. The study of folk tales is part of the Core Curriculum mandated by the state, Martin said.
Using a guitar, banjo, and Ursa the Bear, Collins alternated storytelling with singing. "She does folk tales to music," said teacher Sally Anderson. "She uses songs as an extension of folk tales."
Anderson first learned about Collins when she had booked another performer for a house party, she said. When she heard about Collins' school appearances, Anderson approached the school administration about booking a performance for the students. "Lui has a wonderful way with children. She has a creative and gentle spirit," said Anderson.
The Massachusetts-based Collins began performing in restaurants in
1970. By 1973, music was her full-time occupation. She has released
eight recordings of folk music. Her children's album, "North of Mars,"
was released in 1995 and received a Parents' Choice honor."She's got talent," said third-grade student Samantha Webb. "I've never heard these songs. They're sort of old-fashioned," she said. Chelsea Hutchins, 9, enjoyed seeing a real banjo and hearing folk tales set to music. "It was cool," she said. "Even though it isn't real, doesn't mean you can't listen to it and learn from it."
Collins weaves tidbits of knowledge into her stories and songs. Children learn about the Inuit culture in "Sedna," a song based on a myth about the Goddess of the Sea and how her wrath affected the food supply of the people. When she involves children in singing "Maisha ni Safi," a song she composed while helping her son learn Swahili, children learn phrases in the African language as well as a tolerance of diversity.
Martin feels her kindergarten students benefited from Collins' presentation. "We talk about family traditions and how folk tales are made out of traditions," she said. Watching Collins, "gives them another way to look at folk tales," she said.
Collins was impressed with the students' behavior and interaction with her. "They've done such a good job in preparing these kids for this," she said "I really had them involved." This involvement and interaction with people of all ages is what Anderson sees as Collins' purpose. "She goes around and shares the wisdom of life," Anderson said.