Why Add Storytelling to the Language Art Curriculum?

Through classroom lessons, activities, games, and performances students learn:

• The value of oral narrative art and oral traditions.
• Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills through group and partner activities.
• How to tell a story using the arts and technology.
• How to publish stories using traditional and 21st century skills.

Make a Movie

Students explore the creative process of film-making. They learn how to tell a story visually using different shots and angles. Students collaborate to create a movie based on a folktale using a storyboard, script, costumes, puppets, and a green screen. Following the filming, Janice adds realistic background scenery, special effects, music, title, and credits.  Each school receives two copies of the movie on a DVD.

Folktale Festival

In a week-long residency, Janice leads students and teachers through story exercises and games that increase proficiency with story structure, creativity, and vocabulary.  Students learn to retell a favorite folktale using character voices and gestures.  Each participating teacher receives a copy of the lessons. This program is aligned with the Common Core Standards and with National Board Standards for teachers (NBPTS).

Poetry On the Move

Students get hooked on poetry in its many forms as Janice makes traditional poetry attractive and accessible for students today.  Primary Grade students learn and recite nursery rhymes using movement, instruments, and song. They create original verses for traditional rhymes and dramatize classic and original narrative poems.  Upper Elementary students enjoy Janice’s oral performance of humorous classic poetry.  Students create interpretations of poems which they present in small groups.

Dance The Story

In this program, students recreate folktales through directed movement and dance.  Dance links the body, the mind, and the emotions giving kinesthetic learners a deep experience of the story.  Following the dance experience, Janice presents classroom lessons that draw on the feelings and understanding generated through movement.  Students learn how to use words to express the story they created through movement and dramatic play.   “Dancing the Story” is a powerful pre-writing strategy especially for reluctant writers.

Digital Storytelling

Students explore the creative process of digital storytelling.  Students create digital versions of stories including movies, Voice Threads, slide shows, movies, and podcasts.  They share their stories with partner classrooms.

Janice also presents programs for teachers. See Workshops For Teachers.