Lesson 3: Storytelling

Students discover the power and intrigue of storytelling.

Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts, Drama

Grade Levels: 6-9

Time Frame: 2 class periods

Materials Needed:

• Access to tv/vcr/audio player

• Family Videotapes/Clips

Learning Objectives: Students will:

1. Interpret the story being told in a family video/audio tape

2. Understand the relationship between acting and the story told

3. Write their own versions of the story

4. Understand the nature of modern storytelling

5. Understand how storytelling is an important part of family heritage

Procedure:

1. Contact parents with a brief letter explaining the goal of the lesson.

2. Ask students to collect family stories on audiotape or video. These stories can be collected at family reunions, parties, holiday get-togethers, or from friends of the family.

3. Have students view or hear their selected materials in class or at home and initiate a discussion on the story the individuals tell with their choice of movements and their choice of music, language, dress, expressions, etc.

4. Have students write or document in art or any other creative form their own version of the story.

5. Have students either proofread and edit their stories or finish their artwork.

6. Have students share their stories/art with their classmates.

• Students may want to create a Web site containing their versions of the stories as well as the sources which inspired and influenced the creation of their stories.

Extension:

• Have students tell their story in a storytelling session to other students in the school.

• Have students create their own storytelling event.

• Document this event and transfer the documentation to the Web.

• Have students record their stories for audio playback on the Internet.

• Have students illustrate their stories with original drawings/photos.

• Have a student begin a story and pass it on to another student who will continue the story. Keep passing the story on until the last student ends the story.

Oral History Unit

Lesson 3: Storytelling

Students discover the power and intrigue of storytelling.

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Lesson 1: Settlement Oral Histories

Lesson 2: Telling It Like It Was

Lesson 3: Storytelling

Lesson 4: My Oral History Project

Download Lesson 3 in Word Document format.