Storytelling is an art; but it's also a life skill.  Being able to effectively capture your audience's attention is something that is needed in many situations in life. From being an engaging parent, teacher, or business owner, to communicating effectively in a more personal setting, the art of telling a great story can benefit you and your audience throughout life’s ups and downs. During the class, we will utilize the short stories of Louis Sachar in his book entitled “Sideways Stories From Wayside School.”  They are relatively short, comedic, and provide an excellent foundation for oral storytelling.  The first class will include a discussion of the fundamentals of storytelling, and how the use of eyes, voice, and body can affect the way a story is told.  We will also read through one of Sachar’s stories, noting the story arc and characters. The assignment for the next class will be to select a story from the book to work on through the remaining classes. Weeks two and three will be spent working in small groups in breakout rooms, and then reading for the group on a volunteer basis, followed by tips from the teacher.  During the last class the students will take turns reading to the full class.