Storytelling

Storytelling is an oral sharing of a personal or traditional story, told using the essence of the tradition from which it originates. As a shared experience between teller and listener, it offers natural language experiences for students.

Storytelling can be an enjoyable activity for both tellers and listeners and should be engaged in at all grade levels. The teacher should model storytelling before expecting students to tell stories. As well, students should have opportunities to listen to Native Elders and other storytellers who can provide enjoyment and act as role models for their own storytelling experiences Our Elders: Interviews with Saskatchewan Elders {750:280} .

Storytelling allows students to internalize important aspects of story beginnings and endings, settings, characters, and plot lines. It provides practice in expressing ideas in thought units, using colourful and descriptive language, developing ideas in sequence, and choosing effective action words.

The speech abilities needed for storytelling are essentially the same ones required for all speaking activities. Storytelling encourages students to experiment with voice, tone, eye-contact, gestures, and facial expressions. It also lets them practise techniques for holding audience attention. Storytelling encourages reading motivation and aids listening comprehension. It can lead directly to story writing