Chapter 6 How Many Ways Can A Story Be Told? Growing Up With Literature, 6e By: Walter E. Sawyer

Why should a variety of approaches for sharing stories be used? While children find security in the familiar, routines can become dull over time. Different approaches to sharing stories can keep the excitement alive, Involve additional multi-sensory activities, and Increase the opportunities for children to be involved in the telling of the stories.

Which method of sharing stories is easiest to begin with? Reading a book aloud is the easiest method to begin with It still takes planning and practice if it is to be successful.

Reading Aloud Reading aloud to children should begin when they are infants. The child who is read to grows up with the idea that reading is a normal part of life. Reading aloud to children is part of helping them to read. Should be a part of the everyday routine of children throughout their school lives.

Using Read-Aloud Books Practice using different voice inflections, pitches, and volume levels. Read slowly to allow students to use their imaginations. Be excited about the story, this feeling is contagious. Use humorous books. Summarize or paraphrase parts of the story as needed to adjust to the audience, recapture children’s interest, or better assist the children in understanding.

Good Choices for Read-Alouds Most children books are meant to be read aloud. Use books with clear, colorful illustrations. Use short, simple rhymes, and poems. Use books that encourage the naming of objects, letters, and numbers. Toddlers like books that describe mischievous antics of characters to whom they can relate. Know the children and story in order to ensure you have chosen a good read-aloud story.

What should one consider when choosing a book to read aloud? Books should be selected using criteria described in the aspects of literature section. The age of the children should be considered. One can analyze the book to determine whether it will lend itself to an exciting and enjoyable read-aloud experience

Why should a teacher read a story aloud to the children every day? to counteract the effect of television to provide good language models for children children like hearing stories to help children experience the enjoyment of literature

Storytellers In most cultures throughout time, the storyteller was a valuable member of the community. Storytellers were keepers of the culture. They were often guests of kings and queens. As literacy increased, storytellers lost some of their importance. A professional storyteller is both a performing artist and a careful student of literature.

How to Be a Storyteller Listen to practicing storytellers go about their work. Background in teaching, writing, and performance is common. Storytelling can include puppetry, mime, acting, active participation, and singing. Allow the audience to join in verbally by repeating rhythmic, chant-like speech, and/or filling in missing words. Allow children to join in with movements. Allow the audience to participate by making suggestions (minor details or open gate).

How to Be a Storyteller Storytelling is more difficult than reading aloud. Storytellers must put themselves and their language into the presentation. The story must be a part of the storyteller’s imagination. Can’t forget the story at midpoint. The spell of the story would be broken. Select stories with clear, strong characters. Most storytellers interpret a work before using it. Storytellers have to make decisions about the audience.

What are the characteristics of a good story for oral storytelling? Stories that are particularly good are those that contain strong characters, fairly simple settings, interesting narratives, and lines for choral responses. The story should be loved by the storyteller as well. Natural enthusiasm brings much to the telling.

Flannel Board Stories A flannel board is a piece of wood or other rigid material covered with felt or flannel. Characters and objects are cut from felt and placed on the flannel board to portray the visual action of the story. An alternative to flannel board is a Velcro storyboard.

Copyright 2013 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Flannel Boards Different sizes, shapes, and designs Recommended size 24” x 30” Some have pockets Used for a variety of reasons Children are highly attentive when used Builds sequencing Examples Made by covering sheet of heavy cardboard, display board, pre-stretched artist’s canvas, or wood with a piece of solid-colored flannel or felt yardage

Copyright 2013 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Activity Sets Use to reinforce learning Make out of pellon and felt Low cost, durable Creativity Decorate piece (layered felt) Build set ideas from books, stories, themes

Nonfiction Sets Young children are interested in narratives based in nonfiction topics. Make set pieces realistic. Depict distinguishing features of objects. Copyright 2013 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2013 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Stories and Activities Teacher-made or commercially made Sets improve: Listening skills and vocabulary Concept development Visual shapes and images linked to words and ideas Use of the flannel board to introduce stories

Copyright 2013 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Tips for presentation: Read the story. Practice. Set up flannel board. Check appearance of pieces. Place pieces out of view. Make seating arrangements.

Presentation It begins with the teacher placing pieces on the board in correct sequence. Teacher should check sets to be sure all pieces are available (store in folders). Copyright 2013 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Puppetry Most children love puppets. Easy way to enhance or interpret a story for children. Shy children will often speak to a puppet before they will speak to an unknown person. Puppets are allowed to be all of the things people might like to be at times.

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Benefits of Puppetry Motivation for oral language Promotes creativity Builds audience skills Builds vocabulary Encourages self-expression

Encouraging Use of Puppets Present puppet plays and skits. Take advantage of resources for puppetry in the community. Introduce different puppets periodically. Store puppet in an inviting way. Provide props and puppet theaters. Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Audience Skills Teach audience skills: Clap after performances. Listen Stay quiet during performances

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Tips for Teacher Puppetry A pre-recorded dialogue is good way to start. Develop voice and personality for puppet. Practice with puppet and coordinate hand movements. Use a mirror for practice with the puppet.

Types of Puppets Sock Puppet Jumping Jack

Types of Puppets Box Puppet Finger Puppet

Types of Puppets Garden Glove Puppet Stick Puppet

Types of Puppets

Basic Puppet Pattern

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Puppet Activities Have children act out feelings and emotions with puppets. The teacher can narrate actions for the children. Let children’s puppet reply to the teacher’s puppet. Record simple puppet dramas.

Puppetry Don’ts Do not try to be a ventriloquist. Do not use too much body movement. Do not distribute puppets to children without planning and guidance. The puppets will simply become toys to fight over. Do not expect puppets to do it all. Do not be afraid to take risks with new and different kinds of puppets.

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Types of Simple Dramas Reenacting life situations Pantomime Foundation for preschool acting skills Creative drama Teacher as co-participant with children Problem-solving dramas

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Playacting Tips Children must be familiar with story Motivate with recorded plays or movies. Begin by acting without words. Teacher serves as narrator. Allow children to volunteer for parts. Use simple props. Include multi-cultural themes.

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Benefits of Playacting Playacting promotes: Self-expression Use of correct speech Coordination of actions and words Creative thinking Self-confidence Listening skills Social interaction

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Using Books for Drama Begin with a simple drama without props. Read the book. Announce the dramatization to come. Select roles for children. Position children for the re-reading. Reread the story. Prompt the children while reading the story. Encourage audience participation.

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Development of Dramatization Dramatizing story involves: Listening Auditory memory Visual memory Remember sequence of events Audience skills

Copyright Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Use of Props and Staging Keep props and staging very simple. Vests, hats, gloves, etc. Paper plate masks Cardboard cutouts Colored sheets make good backdrops Plan a semi-permanent stage area

Children as Authors, Storytellers, and Illustrators Children are beginning to write as soon as they begin to draw. Don’t focus on mechanics but rather clarity, organization, and freshness of thinking. An adult can serve as a transcriber and facilitator for children’s stories. Encourage children to join the community of authors by helping them to know the authors of the books they enjoy. Create classroom books about a shared experience, story they have heard, or their imaginations.