Title
Storytelling 101: Building Oral Communication Skills through Storytelling.
Art Form
Storytelling
Target Audience
Classroom teachers grades 3-8
Topic
Helping students develop oral language skills through storytelling
Length
3 1/2 hours.
Approach
The workshop leader will:
1. lead teachers in activities to identify and explore basic elements of storytelling,
including use of voice, face, gesture, dialogue, repetition and audience participation.
2. lead teachers through the process of choosing, learning, rehearsing and telling
one folk tale.
3. help teachers consider ways to teach students the process, and to adapt it
for different grades and abilities.
4. create a safe learning environment to encourage participants to take risks.
5. share materials and resources available for further study.
6. review with teachers major concepts from the workshop.
Results
Teachers will:
1. know how to choose, learn and tell a folk tale.
2. know storytelling’s basic elements.
3. be able to lead students through the process of choosing, learning and telling
a folk tale to a small audience.
4. be able to model storytelling techniques.
5. appreciate the value of storytelling in building self-confidence and oral
skills for everyday interactions.
6. appreciate storytelling as an art form that is central to human culture.
Rationale
All students can develop their oral communication skills and their self-confidence
in speaking to groups through storytelling experiences. Storytelling promotes
oral language development, creativity and imagination. Storytelling can motivate
students to read. In the process, they come into contact with world literature
and develop an appreciation of other points of view.
Description.
Ever since the first words were spoken, storytelling has been an integral part
of human experience. For students, storytelling can provide a lively vehicle
for developing their skills and confidence in oral communication. Using folktales
as source material, teachers learn basic storytelling techniques and explore
ways to teach students to tell stories effectively. Join storyteller Stuart
Stotts for this practical, hands-on workshop that provides strategies for actively
involving students in honing their skills in oral communication.
Logistical Factors
Limit 25 participants.
A room large enough for participants to break into small groups and have some
space around them, to talk with each other without disturbing the next group.
Chairs in a circle, one for each participant.
Large Table.
Water for drinking for everyone.
A snack at entry and for the break.
Flip chart on free standing easel and markers.
Attachments
Artist resume and references.