First graders in Ms. Liebling’s class at Reiche Community School participated in a Side x Side storytelling and movement program throughout the course of the school year. Led by teaching artist Antonio Rocha, the program was integrated with a literacy unit on narrative writing and a science unit on Maine animals. Earlier in the school year, students worked with Rocha to learn storytelling techniques to convey their personal stories. They then chose how to tell their stories to an audience through writing or performance (or both!). In January, they studied Maine animals and then worked into the spring with Rocha to observe and adapt animal gestures and behavior using mime techniques.