The following is a discussion I posted for a course I took about how to use storytelling in the classroom. Some teachers shy away from using stories because they question how ethical it is to embellish them. I would like to challenge those educators to consider if the embellishment is in the best interest and well being of the student or teacher? If it is in favor of the student, it is okay to use the story. If the story is used as a way to manipulate the student into doing something that benefits the teacher, it should be avoided.
There are several things educators need to keep in mind when utilizing storytelling to improve instruction. First, determine if you are telling a story to teach a lesson or build community. A great way to connect with students is to use stories from your own life. This allows the students to see you as a real person and builds empathy (Ang, 2014). I like to start of with telling humorous stories from my life on the second or third day of school (establishing rules I do on the first day so the students know the code of conduct in the classroom). This builds relationships with my students and motivates them in their course work.
My recommendations are for middle school ELA.
When using storytelling to teach, it is important to make sure the story you are sharing is relevant to the lesson and the students know what you are teaching. Stories can be interpreted different ways, so checking for understanding and clearing up anything you did not mean to portray is crucial (Ang). Since the storyteller has autonomy it is important the students' wellbeing and happiness are kept at the forefront of the teller's mind. The storyteller's values and judgements need to line up with what is in the best interest of the students (Grose, 2010). Here are the steps to successfully using story telling in the classroom:
1) Determine what you want the story's theme to be (Grose).
2) Determine how you are going to tell the story to teach the lesson (theme) (Grose).
3) Is the story going to have extraordinary characters in normal situations or circumstances (Character based)? If so, it is best told in first person. Or, is the story best told in which normal characters with no special powers are in extraordinary situations or circumstances (Plot based)? Plot based stories are best told in third person (Hollister et al., 2019).
4) Construct your story with subtexts utilizing pictures, voice reflection and body language if you choose to tell it. Practice it a few times in the mirror or for your family before presenting it to students. Middle schooler are a blessing in that they are exceptionally honest -- which means if you have not practiced they will tell you where you went wrong. If you are using digital media try Storyboard ThatLinks to an external site. to create and share your story with the students.
5) Share the story and do a check for understanding to make sure your meaning was conveyed in the manner in which you wanted it.
6) Depending on what subject/theme was taught, have the students create their own story using Storyboard ThatLinks to an external site. . Give them the same theme and assign a character for the student to tell the perspective of a certain character of the story you just told. By allowing the student to tell the story it not only provides a check for understanding, but it also gives them an opportunity to be an active participant in a nonthreatening way. This leads to empathy for others and a better understanding of the lesson being taught.
References:
Ang, K. (2014). Storytelling in the history classroom. Agora, 49(2), 73–79.
Grose, C. (2010). Storytelling across the curriculum: From margin to center, from clinic to the classroom. Journal of the Association of Legal Writing Directors, 37–62.
Hollister, J. R., & Gonzalez, A. J. (2019). The campfire storytelling system - automatic creation and modification of a narrative. Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Artificial Intelligence, 31(1), 15–40. https://doi.or/10.1080/0952813X.2018.1517829
No comments:
Post a Comment