
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 3, 1994                   TAG: 9411120016
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

Around Herman L. Horn Elementary School in Vinton, kids tell "Gobble tales." These stories, however, have nothing to do with Virginia Tech or Thanksgiving.

"Gobble tales," written, told and sometimes performed by Vivian Gobble's fifth-graders, are stories based on Gobble's own experiences and written in the style of Jack Tales, which is Appalachian folklore about a boy who seeks his fortune and is clever in doing so.

"Storytelling teaches sequencing, creativity and understanding," Gobble said. "Children love to hear stories and be read to."

Gobble, who has taught elementary school for 25 years, said she tries to make each day exciting for her pupils. "Mrs. Gobble lets us do lots of activities. She's a very, very good teacher," said the pupil who nominated her.

Gobble, who has two children and is eagerly awaiting the birth of two grandchildren this spring, lives with her retired husband on their farm. She enjoys raising donkeys and traveling.

by CNB