Storytelling in Blocks

Oh my word!  I was so excited to discover a lost thumb drive with photos from my classroom in 2007-2008.   I thought I had lost all of my photos when my first laptop crashed.   My daughter found a random thumb drive and . . . well . . . a treasure trove of photos!

One of the folders had photos of Three Billy Goats Gruff "puppet" play in blocks.  I had made two simple Waldorf style troll "marionettes" out of fabric and provided a variety of toy goats.   I read the story every day for a week before putting these props in blocks.  I also retold the story using these props to model how to tell a story.

The addition of story props from a fairy tale spurred a whole new level of building.  Bridges abounded - small bridges, huge bridges, long bridges, short bridges - all inside the telling of the very mean and naughty troll.

 Huge bridges were built for the troll.

 Smaller bridges were built for the goats.

The story took on a whole new dimension as the children expanded the tale.  It was a collaborative storytelling journey.

The most stunning thing about this was the fact that a little boy who had not entered cooperative play yet (or parallel play for that matter) - began to take up the part of a goat.  It was such a moment, even the children stopped to listen to him "trip, trap."

 A few children began to write a new version of the story!

There was even a bit of fighting over who was going to be the troll!

It amazed me how much bridge building began out the simple addition of the story, "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."  The block center was vibrant with activity - with as many as 10 children at a time building bridges.

 "Whose that trip trapping across my bridge?  Who ever you are - I am going to eat you up!"

One student removed all of the goats from the blocks and put them in order of size.  Too cool.

Simple props from a favorite story + blocks = amazing!

Free Storytelling Cards - Three Pigs

I am so excited to share a free set of storytelling cards for the story of The Three Pigs.  This set includes word cards as well.  To access this free set - go to the Fairy Dust Teaching Facebook page!

Enjoy!

5 Great "Where the Wild Things Are" Ideas

Who doesn't just love "Where the Wild Things Are"? This is a wonderful book to bring a good dose of art. Just watch the story come alive in your classroom. . .

IDEA #1:  Wild Things Cardboard Tube Puppets

For more information go to: Funderberg 

IDEA #2:  Have a Wild Rumpus! Make Costumes!

This is such a fun thing to do!  I did only once but wow! It was the best to have 24 kids going for the wild rumpus!  (Okay - so it is an insane idea but fun. . .). 

For directions go to: Red Ted Art

 IDEA #3:  Wild Thing Paper Plate Mask

This is so cute!  Another choice for making costumes for that rumpus!

You could use construction paper instead of yarn as well.

For directions:  Spins and Needles

IDEA #4:  Brown Bag Puppets

This to adorable!  Designed by Underneath Photos

IDEA #5:  Wild Things Guided Drawing/Watercolor

I believe guided drawings are one of the most important parts of my kinder day.  There is so much gained in this little activity!  This is adorable!

For directions go to: Elementary Artist

IDEA #6:  Printable Wild Things to make 3-D Picture (okay so much for 5 ideas!!)

Directions at: Story Time Crafts

A few extra bits of inspiration:

From Esty: 

For more ideas: check Crafty Crow's fantastic list of ideas HERE

5 Great Puppets to Make

 

PUPPET #1:  Paper/Cloth Rod Puppets

 These are wonderful for retelling fairy tales. 

For more details go to:  We Bloom Here

PUPPET #2:  Popsicle Paper Puppets

This is one of my favorite ways to make puppets - let the children draw them!  They always turn out so adorable and the children are so proud!

For more details go to:  Mrs. Brown's Art Class

PUPPET #3:  Peepers!

Peepers are too much fun and super simple to make a bunch!  I like to buy knit gloves at the Dollar Store to wear with the peepers.  You can make hair and all sorts of things.  

For basic instructions go to: Fave Crafts

PUPPET #4: Good Ole Sock Puppet

Some years, I have every child in the class design and make their own sock puppet.  It is such hit!  And then, there is making your own to go with favorite storybooks.  The potential is endless!

For how to make this swell guy go to:  Craft Jr.

PUPPET #5:  The Envelope Puppet

There are many variations on this method - and all are so dang easy peasy!  And super inexpensive!

For directions on this sweet puppy go to:  Twiggle Magazine

Watch for deals on my online Puppetry Class - starts in October!

The Never Ending Story. . . .

Here is a little gold nugget I use in my classroom.  I tell an ongoing story that lasts all year long.  It is a simple tale about a Mother, a Father, a Sister, a Brother, a Cat and a Dog.  I do not use names - just Mother, Mom, Father, Dad, etc. - as using these terms allows room for the children to inject their own experiences.  They may even imagine their own family.

I will use this to bring things that have happen in the classroom, in student's lives, the school, the playyard, my life -- and I make it up as I go!  If I weave in something that happen in the life of a classmate - I change enough details that it is not directly identified.  BUT it is close enough the children's eyes widen with recognition.  This is a great way to deal with tattling, lying, mean comments, leaving messes, etc.  You will be stunned at how effective storytelling is in resolving classroom issues.  You can give solutions indirectly with the story.

Each time I tell another "chapter" of the story - these ingredients are present:

-something happens - there is a problem
-a journey unfolds
-a solution is found

I end with a cliffhanger.  This has the children wanting more.  They will ask for "The Mother story or Brother story."

The tale involves everyday happenings.  Here is a little bit of a sample:

Have fun! It is true Fairy Dust Magic!!!

Hands On Literacy 101

Here is a brief look at my literacy approach:

What is Hands-On Literacy?

Hands on literacy is based on brain-based research.  It brings classic stories alive and into the hands of the learner through the senses - visual, tactical, auditory - and through the multiple intelligences - verbal/linguistic, musical/rhythmic, visual/spatial, bodily kinesthetic, intra-personal, interpersonal, mathematical/logical and naturalist.

Foundation of this approach:

Repetition, repetition, repetition!  Repetition of a story builds the strength and love of a story.  To tell a story once is to dilute it.  Repetition gives a learner time to reflect and immerse themselves in the story.  The repetition of the story give access to making stories of their own from the central story concepts.

The Magic Method:

1. Choose a story.  

• There are three main story types for this approach:
• Classic stories - fairy tales, popular books
• Nature stories - stories that reflect the seasons and nature around us
• Character stories
• Nature and character stories can have the element of being ongoing over the entire school year.

•   The story should have at least one of the following elements: repetitious language, repetitious plot or predictable plot.  (Examples: The Three Bears, The Three Billy Goats, Little Red Hen)

   2.  Select three different tools to bring the story to life:

• Flannel Board (can be clip art that is laminated)
• Lap Puppets (can be simple plastic figures, ornaments and doll house dolls)
• Finger Puppets
• Marionettes
• Scarves and Music
• Dramatic Re-enactment

Suggested Sequence:

• Tell the story orally.  Classic simple fairy tales are easy to remember.  
• Tell the story using flannel board pieces.  
• Tell the story using 3-dimensional figures.  Do this for 2-3 days. 
• Read the story from various book versions.  
• Make a storytelling pathway to help children retell the story.
• Have the children act out the story.  

Three-Dimensional Storytelling Tips:

I tell the story sitting down in Story Time.  I drape a cloth over my lap to create a little stage with some of the fabric lying in front of me.  I set up the characters and use small pieces of fabrics, wood, and other found items to create the sequence of the scenes.  (I also use a small table.)  Example:  for The Three Billy Goats - I use a large blue fabric for the river, a brown piece of cloth for where there is no grass, a piece of green fabric for the tasty green grass and a large block for the bridge.  This is not only cheap but gives the children the feeling they have entered the story world.

Present the story at least 2 to 3 times in this form before moving to the next form.  At times, I have presented a table puppet show for a week!

Exciting News!!


I am excited to tell you that I am planning to make available (for purchase) a comprehensive documentation of each Fairy Tale Unit I present this school year.  I will do it one by one.  And I will be taping all the storytelling components so you can see it. And it will include video clips of how to prepare critical elements of the unit!  My intention is to give you everything you need to implement this approach!  Stay tuned - the first one, Goldilocks and the Three Bears will be ready in mid-September!!

Story Stones made by a Kindergartener

This week one of my kindergarten students came to school with her own story stones.  She had wanted her own set and found a way to make them - stickers!  I was so impressed with her creative solution of how to get an image on the stone!   Her mother told me she gathered the stones from her grandmother's garden.

Story Stones Huge Hit!

I wanted to let you know that the children adored the story stones! Oh my goodness!  I am going to be making more story stones this weekend (see last post for instructions).   What was so inspiring was how the stones provided an easy way to collaborate on telling/making up a story!  This idea is a keeper. . .

Story Stones

There are those ideas that you come across that capture your whole heart.  One day I was surfing the web for more ideas for storytelling and came upon Red Bird Crafts and Emily Neuburger.  Emily designed the coolest idea - story stones.  You must click over to her blog and take a peek at her story stones. 

These stones are so endearing and beautiful.  She has a great tutorial on how to make them.  She also sells them.  I am going to buy a set from her because there is nothing in the world like owning an original set - it will have Emily's special fairy dust!  

Anyway, I knew instantly, I had to make a set of story stones for several of the fairy tales that I bring to the classroom.  And - I knew I did not have the time to make the characters from scratch.  I used images I already had.  You can also search copyright free images in Google or Yahoo.

First I cut out the characters and selected the stones I would modge podge them on.

I put a coat of modge podge on the stone.

I positioned the character on top of the modge podge.

I applied a coat of modge podge on top and pressed the paper into the stone.

 One mistake I made was getting the modge podge too thick on some of the stones. This would spot the image.

This is a set of story stones drying.

I am so excited to have the children use the stones to tell stories.  I will report back how it goes!  I am going to make more this weekend.  And order a set of Emily's.  It will be like Christmas when they arrive!

Storytelling Pathways: Walking the Fairy Tale

This is a great way to help children with retelling a story.  It builds comprehension, sequencing and it is fun!  It is simple - on a long piece of bulletin board paper - draw a winding path.  At the beginning of the path, draw a visual clue of the first event.  I did this Storytelling Pathway in August when we were learning the story of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."  I had the children tell me what happened first, second, etc and I drew the visual clues.   After I drew the story, I let the children color it in and add any missing details.  When we finished, children were given the opportunity to walk the Storytelling Pathway and retell the story to us! 

Student testing the pathway before we color it!

On one side of the path I drew the three bowls of porridge.  On the other side - the three bears.

Next I drew the table with the three bowls and a girl.

I then added the three chairs and the three beds.

To signal that the bears return, I drew the three bears and repeated the sequence of events.  The last image I added was the window that Goldilocks jumped out of and ran away.

Give it a try!  At this time of year, the student could draw it themselves!  

Age Appropriate Fairy Tales

 "Fairy tales strengthen the moral lives of children."

How do you determine which fairy tales are age appropriate?  A good gauge is by the way that the conflict (or "evil") is depicted and by the complexity of the tale.  Here is a basic guide:

Young Three Year Olds:
    little nature stories
    simple stories about daily life in the home and garden (these are many times "made-up" from daily life.)

Children under three years old do not just imitate, they explore.  They absorb every aspect of their environment - so stories about their daily life will meet their developmental needs.
   
Older Threes and Four Year Olds:  They love very simple, sequential stories!  If you are new to telling a fairy tale - these are simple to learn.  My kindergarteners still love these stories.
   The Giant Turnip
   Little Louse and Little Flea
   Goldilocks and the Three Bears
   The Mitten
   The Gingerbread Man
   Sweet Porridge

At this age, the child loves repetition!  They will repeat things over and over!  A story that has a repetitive nature is candy to their ears!  And in fact, is building auditory processing.

Four Year Olds and up: A little more complexity but not too much drama!
   The Billy Goats Gruff
   Stone Soup
   Little Red Hen
   The Elves and the Shoemaker
   The Three Little Pigs
   The Pancake Mill
   The Wolf and the Seven Kids
   Mashenka and the Bear

At four years old, the young child is now aware of conflict on a conscious level.  Stories with simple conflicts and easy resolutions delight their need for order in the universe!  Good wins!

Five Year Olds and up:  Stories can have more challenge with good and evil plus more detail!
   Star Money
   Little Red Riding Hood
   Rumplestilskin
   Jack and The Bean Stalk
   Hansel and Gretel
   Little Briar Rose
   The Golden Goose
 
Six Year Olds and up: Children at this age are now ready for characters that have suffering in their journey.
    Rapunzel
    Cinderella
    Mother Holle
    Bremen Town Musicians

This is by no means comprehensive but gives you a feeling for the kind of stories for each age.  

 

Storytelling - The Heart of My Teaching

Storytelling - The Heart of My Teaching from Fairy Dust Teaching on Vimeo.