Storytelling 101

Storytelling 101 Lesson 3-Learning a Story Begin

Learning a Story Now it is time for you to find a great story! Really begin to learn the story and learn how to tell it in your own way. Remember that part of storytelling is not memorizing the words of a story, but understanding the sequence of events and then telling the story in your own words and in your own way.

Read the story. Read the story aloud over and over. Make it a game and try to see how much you can remember each time you read it.

Let’s learn a story together. Sometimes it helps to write what you can remember about the story. Listen to a story being read aloud. As you carefully listen to the story work hard to remember as many story elements (setting, characters, problem, solution) of the story as you can. Select a great read aloud from the library to read!

Make a story map or storyboard. A story map or storyboard is something that we use to help us understand the setting, characters, problems, and solutions in a story. We will now use a story map to help us to better understand and remember the story we just listened to read aloud. Click here for a printable story map.

Draw a picture outline. Using pictures as cues is a great way to remember and learn a story. Draw the events of the book in the sequence that they happen. You can then turn these pictures into flashcards. Write what is happening in each picture on the back of the picture. When practicing telling the story, use the pictures to help you tell what is happening. Check to see if you are right by checking the back of the picture. Click here for a storytelling flashcard template.

Tell the story. In storytelling it is important to not only know the story, but to be able to tell it. Tell the story to everyone you know. Tell it to your friends. Tell it to your family. Tell it to your stuffed animals. Tell it to your pet. Record yourself telling the story using a video or digital camera.

Let’s Review! When learning a story, try. . . Reading the story over and over again. Copy the story into a notebook or on paper in your own words. Create a picture outline or flashcards. Make a story map or storyboard. Tell the story to everyone. Record yourself telling the story.

HOORAY! You have completed Lesson 3-Learning a Story. Now, in your class or at home complete the story flashcards or a story map to practice to learn your story.

Storytelling 101