What is a Storybag?

The Yéil ḵa Tʼá storybag is inspired by Storysacks, a concept by Neils Griffiths in the United Kingdom. His program is built around developing lifelong readers by creating interactive language experiences at home, which spark interest, motivation, excitement, enjoyment and fun.  A story sack can contain:

• a good quality storybook
• puppets or soft toys of the main characters
• a game to stimulate reading/language skills
• recording of the story
  
• scenery or backdrop of the story
• a non-fiction book that supports the theme of the main story
• idea card with activities to do together
  
• recording of a song
  

Thanks to the generous donation by Goldbelt Heritage Foundation of 450 drawstring backpacks, every K-5 child at Sitʼ Eetí Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley and Riverbend Elementary Schools will have a Yéil ḵa Tʼá storybag with the following contents, which you can download here:

• Script of Yéil ḵa Tʼá
• Puppet Making Instructions
• Formline Puppet Characters:
  • Yéil (Raven)
  • Tʼá (King Salmon)
  • Ḵaatoowú (Chickadee)
  • Shoox̱ʼ (Robin)
  • Tsʼeigeinéi (Magpie)
  • X̱ʼeishxʼw (Robin)
  • Woolnax̱ Wooshḵaḵ (Wren)

• Seven Popsicle Sticks (for puppets)
• Stack of Game Cards (used for 5 games)
• Card Game Instructions
• Flier listing Storybag contents, performance dates and URL for Online Resources:
  • Coloring Recommendations for Puppets
  • Recordings of Songs
  • Audio Recording of Story
  • Google Slides Story Backdrop

With more funding, we would have added a non-fiction book, box of crayons, glue stick and small scissors, but have been extremely pleased with this first attempt. Having online resources available makes a big difference!