Storytelling

Storytelling is an awesome way to boost imagination and creativity within students and to help students to tell a story that has been read. For ESL and ELL students, storytelling can also develop language and literacy skills. Whether students are making up a story or retelling a story, they should include the important story elements: character(s), setting, and plot. The activities below are part of a Storytelling Festival in which students will create a story and retell a story using media outlets.


 * Activity 1: Old Time Radio Show **

1. Students will have class time to work in groups to create a make believe story. Each group can be assigned a genre or pick a genre of choice: mystery, fairy tale, etc. All stories should include the story elements with a problem and solution.* 2. Story elements should be taught beforehand. 3.After working on stories for about a few days, students will practice reading their stories out loud using a tape recorder. Students will practice tone and expression base on type of story. 4. When students are ready they will receive a day in which they will read their stories over the school’s PA system for the whole school to hear.


 * Activity 2: Digital Storytelling **- Teacher will choose technology and software that best suits students’ age and capabilities.

1. Students will choose a book already read and in groups write a skit base on the book. Once again, the skit should include story elements. 2. Students will choose who will be specific characters and create their own props and costumes if necessary. Students can choose to do the acting themselves or choose to use illustrations (I will give students at least a week of planning time). 3. Once the skit is in place students will practice acting out their stories if they choose to be actors or practice reading the skit using a tape recorder, if they are just using voices and illustrations. 4. After practicing (a couple of days), students are ready to perform for the camera. Students will be allowed to show their stories on a projector during lunch times or for an assembly.