Story Telling

I recently became acquainted with the Review. It is a magazine sent to NJEA members informing them of new techniques and events happening in the world of education. One suggested strategy it offered was storytelling. The author, Jaymie Reeber Kosa in her story “Tell a Story” felt that this techniques works especially well, with students who do not listen, pay attention, or focus. Stories have been used to transmit values, engage the imagination and foster community. When storytelling is done effectively, storytelling silences the room and creates a space that invites every type of learner to participate.

Using stories allows teacher to communicate to those senses that students prefer when learning new information. Stories allow the students to visualize the events and engage their imaginations. Story telling does not rely on a student’s ability. Stories allow all students to enjoy and reflect on an idea. Story telling builds trust between students and teachers.

Use a story to introduce a unit or a new idea. Tell a story to illustrate how to do something properly. Use story telling to address a problem that you want to bring up in class. Tell a story to help students learn how to tell their own stories. Create a more inviting classroom environment by sharing your personal stories.

Before you begin storytelling, find a story that you enjoy telling over and over again. Get comfortable with this material. Play with the story. Tell it to an audience. Write it down in your own words to personalize it.