language

Social Studies Geography Language Science Math Art Storytelling Tips

There are many ways to integrate language studies while using storytelling in the classroom. Through the use of story you can create many exercises for students. I will list a few things and you can add to them. Some stories use words that may be unusual to children and this is a good way to teach new vocabulary. In my storytelling I use call and response, for example I use a traditional Bahamian call "Bunday" and when I say that I instruct the audience to repeat the word "Bunday". This is very effective since it focuses the audience in the story and keeps them involved.

Try using the call and response and also creating a different call and response. Many cultures use the call and response. For example in Haiti the call is "crick" and the response is "crack". In Latino stories the call is "Barril" and the response is "Agua". See if you can find some from other cultures.

* Have students re-write the story in their own words. For young students they can write out the sequence of the story.
* List the conflicts in the story and write an original story using the conflicts and resolution from the folktale.
* Find a story with the same theme from another culture.
* Re-tell the story in your own works.
* Encourage students to speak loudly and clearly.
* Use the story to encourage discussion about the values in the story.

Please feel free to add your ideas:

For bookings please email: derek(at)derekburrows.com. Please substitute the @ sign for (at) or call 617.983.9184