First Storytelling Experience Reflection

 For my first Storytelling experience I picked storytelling with a book.  Currently my elective class is doing a reading aloud/storytelling unit  based on books with themes of changes in family, separation, overcoming challenges and being the other.  I used " I dream of Popo"  written by Livia Blackburne and Illustrated by Julia Kuo as my example.   Immediately upon reading this sweet story, I was enveloped by the story.  Connection to the story is needed for a good example.  

Before presenting I read and re-read the book looking for easy connections to the characters and illustrations. In researching the book the intended audience was Kindergarten through 3rd grade.  I looked for the questions that might be asked by the students being read too.   I picked a few pieces out to point out and ask questions about.   Some of the colors and patterns were important as well as some things that were familiar and things that were not.    Finally I practiced reading at a slower pace and using different vocal patterns.

During the story I only had an audience of one; my son.    He is older than my intended audience but I prefaced the reading by explaining the age range.  I used his face to gage when to slow and when to speed up.  My head was cut off in parts of the video because as he says" The story was interesting.   I wasn't paying attention... Do you think her Popo died?"     I knew I was on the right track.    There were a few times that I got tongue tied.   I attempted to take a moment and continue on.   I felt it was important that students see those moments and to use it as a modeling experience. 

Responding to the video I made, it seems I was successful with my first time.  If I could change anything I might work on my inflection a bit by the end.  To be honest, I was teary when reading and was beginning to choke up.   It is almost like I was having the same response as my son was having.    The language was so lyrical, I was caught up in the poetry. 

Choosing material, it is important to have connection.   In reviewing the other storytellers pieces whether they have the book or not each performer has a distinct connection to their material.    Connection is theatre.     It is that delicate string between the audience and actor that spins the story.   Without that string we have no connection and no audience.  Storytelling is no different.    

  







Comments

  1. Cassandra WoodallSeptember 26, 2021 at 2:18 PM

    I love the image of a string connecting audience and actor. It explains the storytelling experience in a simple and powerful way.

    It really sounds like you though out the process of telling this story. I love that even though you got tongue tied you pushed on. It is important for readers to see/hear, especially young readers who are easily discouraged when they feel they have messed up.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reading Reflections and fables

As ubiquitous as  Aesops Fables a refresher course was needed.   Stories smattered with animals, plants or inanimate objects, living their best life and learning from their mistakes are great places to start the search of great story-telling material.  Globally, fables are used as teaching tools to hit home what may be the better way to think if faced by dilemmas. Using beings other than human allow for candid consideration for their actions.   "Oh that fox," or "Oh that frog shouldn't have trusted that lion."  It becomes easier to digest and discuss.     Though the messages are sound, currently we may have many that do not have the same context with which to understand the stories. For instance some children are not exposed animals  or settings that many of these fable take place.  Half of your storytelling time might be used to simply introduce them to characters or places.  Using the through lines of Aesops making with ...
Read more

Reading Reflection Administration and Programming

Being a theatre teacher causes one to wear many hats; skills are taught, props are made, movement is created, costumes are pulled, sets are built, and of course, rehearsals are had.  They are often a lone wolf in a school and though there are many that could collaborate with,  it often goes to the wayside because others aren't sure how to  do this.   Typically, the job of Theatre Teacher is so faceted, it's the organization that keeps them afloat.   The reading resonated with me this week simply because this is the typical plight  of the school librarian as well.  Organization can keep one above water but to cultivate and sustain storytelling program, educating your colleagues can help them lean in to authentic and fruitful programming. The importance of stories to children's formation as well as to their connection to others,  as Baker points out in the beginning of the chapter is paramount to a strong program.  Carving out time, d...
Read more