One performance is for the primary group, and one for the upper elementary group. Performances include paper-cutting stories, draw and tell stories, sign language stories, lots of audience participation, funny antidotes about writing and encouragement for the children's own writing. The remainder of the school day can be divided into 30 to 40 minute Breakout sessions of two to three classes each. Children usually are grouped by grade levels. Each Breakout session involves new stories and more specific instruction on the components of a story.
Students create their own stories, working individually or with a partner.
Valerie also works with students on the writing process. She uses a variety of unusual approaches to get even the most reluctant writers involved. She creates a photo collage of the day's events and sends it back to the school as a remembrance. Handout packets for the teachers are also available. Together includes stories that everyone enjoys listening to and several audience participation stories for students and their parents to create together.