Notes from The Storytelling School 29/01/16
Handbook for teachers by Chris Smith PhD & Adam Guillian (Foreward by Pie Corbett)
Gorden Well's research showed that children who are able to read in the first four years of their lives are most likely to succedd in education. This is because they have developed the ability to sit, listen and concentrate. Stories also provide chn with vocab, the elegant turn of phrase and the tune of well-writing prose.
Oral stories have been told for thousands of years. This will provide chn with the above skills also.
A teacher telling a story without a book can directly engage with the chn.
Benefits of storytelling include:
- accelerated language learning
- increased inclusion and engagement
- enlivened teaching across the whole curriculum
- creation of memorable moments of magic in the classroom
- strengthened core life skills of speaking and sequencing from memory
- improved slef-esteem and enjoyment for all
The system used;
Hear - Tchr tells story
Map - simple story map of main events
Step - freeze frames of the main events
Speak - retelling
The development;
- imitation
- innovation
- invention
HEAR:
Tchr needs to go through process by self to learn the story. Firstly by listening to the story. Audio stories can be found at: http://www.storymuseum.org.uk/1001stories/
MAP:
STEP:
SPEAK: Practice saying the story aloud, if possible get your whole body moving.
After telling the story to students have a regular feedback routine. Examples of questions are:
What were your favourite moments?
What did you like about the way that story was told?
If you were telling the story, what would you change or add to the way it was told?
Students could participate in the retelling by:
repeating chants
little songs
sound effects
prediction
adding description
gestures
QUESTIONING GAMES
Tell Me More (Truth)
1. One s is styllr and one is listnr
2. Storyteller says two sentences about themselves
3. Listener chooses one word from the sentence they want to know more about and says 'Tell me more about ___________'
4. The storyteller then says two sentences about that word.
5. Listener chooses one word from the sentence they want want to know more about and says 'Tell me more about ___________'
etc.....
Tell Me More (Lies)
As above but storyteller makes up a character idea and talks about that.
Stories About Objects
A great game to develop 'inventions'. For example; bring in a random shoe and say something like 'This shoe is now a story shoe and we're going to find out what story it comes from. I will ask questions and I want you to put your hand up if you have an idea for an answer. (Use the matrix plot to come up with questions)
Stories from Pictures
As above but using a picture or a story map. Search on www.storymuseum.org.uk/1001stories
Who, What, Where, When
Same as Tell Me More but questioner can only ask questions using 'W' words.
Reflection Games
Teacher moves silently, class copies. Later, add sounds for students to copy, continue on to words and sentences.
Conversation Games
Students each choose a character, walk around like the character and at a sound stop and talk to another character as their character.
Guessing Games
Can be used for both fiction and non-fiction
Therapeutic Storytelling by Susan Perrow
Storytelling for a Greener World by Alida Gersie, Anthony Nanson and Edward Schieffeliin
Can be ordered through - www.ceresbooks.co.nz
Stories from Pictures
As above but using a picture or a story map. Search on www.storymuseum.org.uk/1001stories
Who, What, Where, When
Same as Tell Me More but questioner can only ask questions using 'W' words.
Reflection Games
Teacher moves silently, class copies. Later, add sounds for students to copy, continue on to words and sentences.
Conversation Games
Students each choose a character, walk around like the character and at a sound stop and talk to another character as their character.
Guessing Games
- guess the emotion
- guess the character
- guess the lie
Storymaking Games
Fortunately/Unfortunately
Show and Tell with a Twist - make up a story about the object.
Turning Oral Stories Into Written Stories
Use the matrix as a guide.Can be used for both fiction and non-fiction
Further resources ...
Storytelling with Children by Nancy MellonTherapeutic Storytelling by Susan Perrow
Storytelling for a Greener World by Alida Gersie, Anthony Nanson and Edward Schieffeliin
Can be ordered through - www.ceresbooks.co.nz
