Your conscientious effort to demonstrate fables through drama has helped my students show more interest and enthusiasm for the stories they read in our core-reading program. Your contributions of drama, music, props, and songs have been an inspiration to the class. These things certainly helped with their comprehension while improving their listening skills. They didn't want to miss anything! Thanks for a wonderful year!

Sarah H., Grade 3, Florida Public Schools

Aesop's Workshop has been a GREAT educational tool for my students and myself, we not only enjoy the wonderful stories, but we learn rhyming, vocabulary, culture, and specially character…for example, caring for others, respecting, following rules, and many, many others. Thank you, we had a great experience and we'd love Aesop's Workshop to continue to be a part of us.

Ivonne V., Grade 3, Florida Public Schools

I would like to take a moment to comment on Aesop’s Workshop that we are fortunate enough to have here. Aesop’s Workshop goes above-and-beyond teaching students, as well as teachers, incredible life long lessons, which help build ones personal character and tolerance towards others. The lessons involve hands on musical activities that help children understand how to make themselves better students, citizens in the community and a success now and in the future. Aesop Workshop makes the process of learning life long lessons an educationally fun experience. The students anxiously await the next time, knowing that they will be enjoying great activities!

Peggy F., Grade 3, Florida Public Schools

My kindergarten class has really enjoyed the lessons presented by Aesop’s Workshop. Not only were they entertaining for them, the children were also very engaged during the lesson. These “tales” had a way of getting the children to reflect on their own actions as well as the actions of others. I can’t tell you how many times our discussions continued long after the presentation. I think it is a program worth keeping in our school.

Debra E., Kindergarten, Florida Public Schools

Aesop’s Workshop is an innovative, exciting, and creative way to present versions of Aesop’s Fables. Stories and songs can be incorporated into the curriculum with lots of room for your own mixing and matching needs. The children love the stories and have the greatest time singing along with the fun lyrics. The stories can be used as puppet shows or as a play presentation. There are even buttons, rating scales and a listing of moral/messages for each story. I recommend this not only for Drama classes but for regular and special education classes as well. What a fun way to increase reading vocabulary, oral speaking and reading fluency skills while having fun and learning at the same time!

Maria A., Creative Drama, Florida Public Schools

Today, my students and I got a chance to be a part of Aesop’s Workshop. During the presentation, there was storytelling, drama, music, song, and character participation. The shoebox stage and Popsicle puppets were adorable. There were face puppets and hand puppets to bring the fables to life. Some of my kids had a small part to play in the fable read. Before it was over the kids, without any verbal cues, were drawn into the story and discovered the messages within. The music was humorous, making the kids want to sing and giggle. I must say, if this was a prescription for healthy living and learning, then we need a good dose of it, at least once a week. I can only imagine what kind of society we would have if every kid in school lived by these fables and the golden rule!

Maria B., Kindergarten, Florida Public Schools

Aesop’s Workshop has been such a positive and beneficial program. My second graders have benefited in many ways. Through fables, many character issues were focused upon. What a great and creative way to explore morals and social skills. The fables enriched my students’ skills in many areas (listening, comprehension by retelling stories, higher order thinking skills, oral communication, responsibility, and definitely behavioral and cooperative skills). Not only does the program teach these various skills through the stories, but singing songs, puppets, and role-playing also make this such a unique and special experience!

Lynn T., Grade 2, Florida Public Schools

I really appreciate your presentations on Aesop’s fables, as they are a treasure of literary knowledge that few children are exposed to outside of school. They teach good lessons on caring, responsibility, being part of a community, being a friend and the use of animals make them appropriate for all children, regardless of their backgrounds. Thank you for sharing this wealth of learning with my children.

Bev P., Kindergarten, Florida Public Schools

My students look forward each month when Aesop’s Workshop comes into my classroom. These stories come to life in the way they are written, read, and used with props. My students have learned many important skills they can use every day of their life while being problem solvers with their friends at school.

Deborah T., Grade 1, Florida Public Schools

The fables and stories in Aesop's Workshop have been shared in my classroom for several years now. With each visit these stories bring a caring energy that sparks reflective discussion in my students. The reality is that students face challenges from changing family dynamics to self-esteem issues. These stories teach moral decision-making skills. The stories and discussions that follow each reading offer strategies to handle our changing social issues. I would also like to comment on the unique stories, The Penny, The Little Yellow Flower, Riding on the Waves of Friendship, and The Rock of Ages as being significant turning points in the way my kids feel about one another in the classroom, the school, and their community. 

Kathy M., Grade 4, Florida Public Schools

Your project sounds wonderful. I am so grateful people like you are out there doing these things…I wish you all the best.
Issa
Singer, Songwriter, Composer, ~Calling All Angels~
Sheeba [info@sheeba.ca]

Enquiry from Log Cabin
Montreal, Canada

The modern world!...It’s a constant barrage of negative influences at a child’s fingertips! Song lyrics, video games, and role models behaving badly are creating the character in our children today. Aesop’s Workshop is a refreshing, educational experience that provides positive thought processes for children to develop beliefs and lessons learned, to rely on for the rest of their life. The Workshop fables provide decision points where children learn character lessons determining right from wrong, good from bad, and naturally instill an educational base for future decision-making in all students.

Aesop’s Workshop is educationally friendly. Guidance counselors, character educators, and classroom teachers can utilize the ready-made curriculum to focus on specific character traits. Each fable teaches an array of lessons that envelops student participation and ownership into the character development process. The life-long learning messages, naturally incorporates national standards according to the National Association of Guidance Counselors.

The children in my school, regular education and students with disabilities alike, openly anticipate a visit by Aesop’s Workshop. The incredible enthusiasm and attention to detail the students demonstrate during and after the lessons are second-to-none. It is such a rewarding and refreshing experience to hear the students openly discuss the characters and their traits. “I want to be like the rabbit,” declares a student. “The fox is not trustworthy like one of my friends,” declares another. 

Aesop’s Workshop has been too long in coming. All students can benefit from the educationally ‘rich’ environment the Workshop provides. The messages conveyed are second-to-none and will positively influence our children for generations to come.

Guy B., Curriculum Specialist, Florida Public Schools

I have had the privilege of attending and participating in one of the Aesop Workshop presentations. I was amazed as I saw these stories come to life, through the uses of music and puppets. Students were enthralled as they listened and sang along. These stories teach a strong moral message that our students are desperate to hear. As a Literacy Coach, I can say, the values found in the program is tremendous. Fluency, comprehension, and listening skills help to make this program useful during the 90-minute “Reading Block” time. These creative character education lessons make Aesop’s Workshop an invaluable resource for every classroom.

Katy B., Literacy Coach, Florida Public Schools

Thank you for spending time with my students yesterday, the kids just light up when you enter the classroom! Your fables build strong character as well as encourage a love of reading through a “Reader’s Theater” atmosphere. They love it! I appreciate the time you spend with them. You are welcome to come back any time!

Kimberly C., Grade 4, Florida Public Schools

Aesop's Workshop was introduced into our classroom once a month to conduct character-building lessons with our second graders. There are fables, legends, and classic stories to illustrate morals and messages. Aesop's Workshop engages our students using role-play, props, and songs. The students were interested and participated in the lessons. Often times I heard the students (and other adults) discussing the lesson with each other, days after the presentation. It was worthwhile and a welcomed addition to the curriculum taught in the regular classroom.

Team Teacher's, Tracey M. & Pam C., Grade 2, Florida Public Schools

I can't believe that anyone would have one bad word to say about Aesop's Workshop or about its presentation to the kids. They are always totally engrossed, engaged, and excited with your visits. My only problem is that we would like to see MORE of it!

Cindy G., Grade 2, Florida Public Schools