Educators
Benefits of Storytelling *
Have you ever noticed when you start to tell a story in the classroom --
whether it is a prepared fairy tale or an impromptu anecdote about when you
were a child, it suddenly gets quieter and the students look at you with
increased interest?
This is the power of a story! Students relax and experience the story in their
minds. They picture the events and become part of the action! For educators,
the exciting news is that in addition to being fun, storytelling also has many
educational benefits. It is a great way to meet a wide range of curriculum
standards, introduce new concepts, and reinforce emerging skills. Below are
some of the many benefits students receive through storytelling.
Storytelling promotes an enthusiasm for language and learning.
Storytelling stimulates interest in reading and writing by demonstrating the
natural connection between the written and the spoken word and provides an
opportunity for all reading levels to succeed.
Storytelling develops a higher level of comprehension, and strengthens memory
and recognition of sequencing details.
Storytelling advances vocabulary and language development, enhancing both
writing and reading skills.
Storytelling introduces varied and effective patterns of language, both oral
and written, which are internalized through familiarity and use.
Storytelling develops listening skills, visualization skills, analytical
skills, creativity, and the imagination.
Storytelling teaches important oral presentation skills that can be used in
many different situations throughout life.
Storytelling furnishes a vehicle for the passing on of factual information,
values, and important life lessons.
Storytelling fosters positive peer interaction and cooperation and promotes an
appreciation for the talents of others.
Storytelling effectively integrates other subjects into the language arts
curriculum.
Storytelling helps promote multicultural sensitivity and understanding while
preserving the beliefs and culture of a people.
Storytelling offers students with behavior problems a positive outlet for their
energy, and these students often become star storytellers, which in some cases
can trigger change in classroom behavior.
Storytelling is FUN.
*adapted from “42 Reasons for Teaching Storytelling” compiled by Victoria
Gregor, Booker T. Washington Middle Magnet School, Hillsborough County Public
Schools
Sunshine State Standards Covered by Storytelling
READING:
Standard 1: The student uses the reading process effectively. (LA.A.1) #1, 2,
3, and 4.
Standard 2: The student constructs meaning from a wide range of texts. (LA.A.2)
#1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
WRITING:
Standard 1: The student writes to communicate ideas and information
effectively. (L.A.B. 2) #2
LISTENING, VIEWING, AND SPEAKING:
Standard 1: The student uses listening strategies effectively. (L.A.C. 1) #1,
2, 3 and 4.
Standard 2: The student uses viewing strategies effectively. (L.A.C. 2) #2
Standard 3: The student uses speaking strategies effectively (L.A.C. 3) #1, 2
and 3.
LANGUAGE:
Standard 1: The student understands the nature of language. (LA.D. 1) #1, 2,
and 3.
Standard 2: The student understands the power of language. (LA.D. 2) #1, 2 and
4.
LITERATURE:
Standard 1: The student understands the common features of a variety of
literary forms. (LA.E. 1) #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Standard 2: The student responds critically to fiction, nonfiction, poetry and
drama. (LA.A. 2) #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Standard 3: The student understands that science, technology, and society are
interwoven and interdependent. (SC.H. 3) #5
PEOPLE, PLACES AND ENVIRONMENTS (GEOGRAPHY):
Standard 1: The student understands the world in spatial terms. (SS.B. 1) #3
Standard 2: The student understands the interactions of people and the
environment. (SS.B. 2) #2 and 3.
THEATER
Skills and Techniques
Standard 1: The student acts by developing, communicating, and sustaining
characters in improvisation and formal or informal productions. (TH.B. 1) #1
Creation and Communication
Standard 1: The student improvises, writes, refines script based on heritage,
imagination, literature, history and personal experiences. (TH.B. 1) #1
Aesthetic and Critical Analysis
Standard 1: The student analyzes, criticizes, and constructs meaning from
formal and informal theater, film, television, and electronic media. (TH.D. 1)
#1, 2, 3, and 4.
Applications to Life
Standard 1: The student understands application of the role of theater, film,
television, and electronic media in everyday life. (TH.E. 1) #1, 2, 3, 4, and
5.
Curriculum Tie-Ins
Because storytelling is an integral part of the way we approach learning, it's
an important facilitator for learning in most areas of study in the school
curriculum. Listed below are but a few suggestions to help integrate
storytelling into your classroom activities.
ART:
Analyze stories for use of strong imagery and visual details.
Use stories to develop themes.
Use stories that create patterns or rhythms and translate them into visual
patterns.
Use stories to motivate and stimulate creativity.
HISTORY:
Use stories that are based on historical events.
Analyze details of stories that show cause and effect.
Use biographical stories.
GEOGRAPHY/ SOCIAL STUDIES:
Tell or listen to stories that show the way of life, customs, and beliefs of an
area or ethnic group.
Incorporate stories into the curriculum that explain the why and how of the
earth's formation.
Use stories that have geographical details in the setting.
When studying West African or Jamaican cultures, listen to Anansi stories then
discuss how these stories reflect the cultural identity of the people.
LITERATURE:
Use stories to enhance and reinforce vocabulary development.
Tell or listen to stories that provide examples of how literary elements are
used effectively.
Use stories to motivate and stimulate interest in reading and writing.
MATH:
When teaching how to solve word problems, turn arithmetic equations into
stories.
Look for stories that include problem solving, inference, sequencing, and
patterns.
Use stories that make comparisons and show cause and effect.
MUSIC:
Choreograph stories.
Compose songs to go with the stories.
Compose music to tell the story.
SCIENCE:
For a unit on scientific theory, look for how and why stories such as Why
Raven's Feathers Are Black and How The Leopard Got Its Spots.
For a unit on the rain forests, look at stories from or about the indigenous
people of Brazil.
To teach analyzing skills, use stories that show cause and effect or that make
comparisons.
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