TALL TALES ON SHORT LEGS  

A ‘short’ storytelling course, ideal for use in Years six to eight – that leads to a presentation by your pupils. 

Starter: 

Ideal group size – up to 36 students 

Book a professional storyteller to work with your group for a minimum of half day.

It is always more economic to book a teller for the whole day, so use that teller with another larger group. For the second session, a storyteller working in schools will often be prepared to ‘do’ a show for up to 100 pupils – three classes.

Advise that storyteller of the course you intend to follow with your target group so that he can present material appropriate to your course.

Expect to pay the storyteller an appropriate fee. Most professional tellers command between £130 and £250 a day – some will expect expenses on top.

(My fee is £200 a day, travel expenses beyond 50-mile journey)

Prepare the pupils in advance by giving a single lesson on storytelling and story types

Pupils should be expected to recognise three or four conventions of storytelling. For example, after consultation with your visiting teller, they may be expected to notice how often a story is dependant upon:

i            A magical object that allows the hero to change form / become invisible etc

A ring that when turned three times on the wearers finger makes them invisible.

ii            A recurring rhyme, song or phrase that holds the listeners interest

             When the Dark embers burn, I will return, I will return.

iii            A definite geographical location

            The ghost of a local wood.

iv            A particular problem that must be solved by a major character

            Find someone who will release the from a spell by falling in love with them 

Development: (Allow six – ten lessons) 

Analyse the chosen storytelling conventions and how they were used.

Brainstorm these as a whole group using Storytelling Circle exercise.

Consider other conventions that might be of use to future young tellers.

Select mixed subgroups of up to six students

(Maximum sub group number is six – 6 x 6 = 36 target group size)

Introduce Story framing / story development / story tracking exercises / cue cards.

Allow the pupils to work on their own original tales so that each pupil builds a repertoire of three three-minute average tales.

Each group should select a leader who keeps you informed of their group’s progress. Always allow pupil deviation and development – one group may wish to use a member’s skill as a musician or magician. So long as it is worked into the tales, let them run with it.

Allow a minimum of props and no notes other than cue cards.

Each group should work to develop their own series of two or three half hour storytelling presentations. Across the two/three ‘shows’ all students should participate, even if only as ‘chorus’

Presentation & Skill Analysis. (Allow six lessons) 

Each group presents a show to the rest of the target group and storytelling assessment sheets are filled on all.

Suggestions for improvement should be shared.

Final Presentations:

If possible, have your group visit ‘feeder’ schools or other English groups to share their work and develop presentation experience.

Present a final ‘evening’ show to Parents and friends. Your hall should be laid out as six Storytelling stations (or use six class rooms in one block)

The audience moves every twenty minutes to the next station. Over a period of two hours your audience will experience all six ‘shows’. The groups can vary the tales they tell to avoid repeating material six times!

If each child sold five admission tickets at £1.00, you are well on the way to covering the cost of your professional teller!

Alternative

David is available for three day ‘Storyteller in Residence’ courses that follow this plan. Ideal as a Curriculum Enhancement / Book Week Activity. Seek external funding or sponsorship and inform your local press. (Fee £500.00)