Classes and Tutoring
for K-12 Bodyminds
This just in: Storytelling is a sport!
I use movement as a tool to help young people become confident readers, writers, and thinkers.
Services
Group Classes
Practice storytelling skills and improve reading fluency through movement — with Theater Games and Story Theater.
Writing Coach for High School Students
The Blank-Page Struggle is real! Let’s find a writing process that works. (And walks. And dances. And maybe does jumping jacks?)
Reading and Writing Tutor for K-8 Students
Ready to tell stories with your feet and play vocabulary charades?
I help young writers with:
- Brainstorming and collecting ideas
- Writing with focus and meaning
- Essay organization and structure
- Editing their own work for word choice, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Developing their unique, creative voices as writers
- All kinds of writing, from sketch comedy to informational essays to college-admission personal statements
Kind Words
“She’s terrific. My son has worked w[ith] a few tutors before but he absolutely raved about Cristin. She was approachable, positive, gave great insights, asked great questions and made him feel really comfortable. She’s fantastic! Will see her again.”
— Michael, parent of high school student, on essay-writing tutoring
“When we shut off the video, S said “OK, how many stars do we give it?”
— A (mom), S (age 7) and C (age 5) on Theater Games Class
And I was like, jeez, kids are really tough …
C jumped in and said “forty-five hundred!”
And I said, “Wow, that’s a lot of stars! S, how many stars would you give it?”
And she looked at me with her eyebrows raised and her head tilted forward, and said,
“A LOT. It was really fun, and creative, and it was good for our minds … AND our bodies.
I LOVED it.”
… Thank you so much! They have both wanted to get into the arts … This is awesome.”
“Cristin excels at breaking down complex ideas and communicating them in a clear, concise manner. She also has an exceptional ability to approach a piece of writing from many different angles, enabling her to find a unique perspective that connects with the intended audience. Cristin is a sharp editor who always demonstrates poise and consideration when providing feedback. And as a writer herself, Cristin has a distinct voice and a lively sense of humor. Beyond being savvy and skillful as an editor and writer, Cristin is also an absolute joy to work with! “
— Kendall R.
Move your body, grow your brain
Study after study shows that physical activity activates the brain, improves cognitive function, and correlates with improved academic performance.
- Some studies suggest that games and other so-called “play” activities boost academic learning. Many play-oriented movements — including stand-and-stretch, walking, dance, and drama activities — have the capacity to improve cognition. (Jensen, E. (2005), Teaching with the Brain in Mind, 2nd Edition, via ascd.org.)
- “Simple in-class activities can boost performance. Studies suggest that children who participate in short bouts of physical activity within the classroom have more on-task behavior, with the best improvement seen in students who are least on-task initially.” (Mahar, M. et al. (2006), The Effects of a Classroom-Based Program on Physical Activity on On-Task Behavior, via gonoodle.com.)
- “By providing a performance and an audience, Readers Theatre offers an authentic purpose for the kind of repeated practice required to become a fluent reader — especially for struggling readers.” (Vasinda, S. and McLeod, J. (2011), Extending Readers Theatre: A Powerful and Purposeful Match With Podcasting, via readingrockets.org.)
Coach Cristin 