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~~ GRSATSTORYTSLLING-YOuCANDOIT!~1Vs~~[NEWSL'ETTER] Volume5 Issue 9 Sep1iember2001
~~
Mini" Direction"Storytelling is a shared experience. The
storyteller is a tour guide, taking the
listeners on a tour of the story. "
--KarenHenleyWHY STORYTELLING?
"Please tell me a story" is a request often
made by children to parents, grandparents, and
teachers. Each of us, from the youngest to the
oldest, loves to hear a good story. Even before
the printing of books or writing of scrolls, stories
were recorded on stone tablets and painted on
cave walls. Since the beginning of time, stories
have been passed down verbally from
generation to generation. Storytelling, the art of
telling stories, has been used to preserve the
history of countries, cultures and families. Jesus
was a master storyteller. He ,..often used parables to teach ,:~, .Hisfollowersa spiritualconcept.
WHAT IS STORYTELLI NG?
1. It's a gift and a talent. The ability to tell a
story is a gift of expression, and it is a talent that
all of us can develop.
2. It's an opportunity to share truth. Telling
stories is a way to reach and teach children of
all ages the truths of God's Word and especially
the message ofthe Gospel.
3. It's a means of sharing a message. A story
told well always leaves a message or a ~pointto
ponder" behind. Give your audience something
to think about, preferably something that will
challenge or encourage them.
4. It's a picture painted with words. Some of
the best storytellers I have ever met have made
me use my imagination while they told the story.
When you tell a story, paint a picture in the
minds of your audience with words. Don't just
tell about Goliath, make them "see" Goliath!
HINTS FOR THE STORYTELLER
1. YOU. Tell your story with poise and
confidence. Dress appropriately for the
occasion. Don't let your appearance speak
louder than your story. Develop a sense of
drama by using your voice to
create suspense, to communicate
emotions, and to present
dialogue between characters. Above
all, use your imagination and enjoy yourself!
2. THE STORY. Remember the 3 P's,
Prepare--Practice---and Present. Learn all you
can about the story. Be so familiar with the plot,
setting and characters in the story that you are
able to make your audience feel like they know it
too! Don't just memorize the story, INTER-
NALIZE IT. In other words, Live the story!3. THE AUDIENCE. An audience comes in
different shapes and sizes. Some are young,
some old. Some are eager to hear your story.Others are disinterested observers. Some are
anxious to help you tell your story. Others are
anxious to sidetrack your best efforts. (That's
why we practice.) Just remember that knowing
your audience will help you know how to tell that
great story!
"I think there is nothing worse than to hear a
story teller finish his telling, and then say, 'Boys
and girls, what do you think this story is trying to
teach us?' Better to tell the story, and let thelistener decide for himself if he can use what it
has to say in his own life." STORYTELLER,Ramon R. Ross.
Find the Story You Want to i.ell.is the story pleasing to you? How will the
audience respond to the story? ""STORY QUILT.
A story quilt can be used
Prepare to tell the story. to familiarize the students with the story,
Know the story well. Familiarize yourself then used to tell the story, and finally used
with the story by-Reading it aloud several as a way to review the story.times. Determine the major actions of the Materials needed:
story. Decide where one action ends and a) 10-12 inch squares of white fabric.
another begins. b) Fabric squares to place between
Fonn a mental picture of the characters scenes and back the quilt.
in the story: their dress, their personality c) Cotton batting.
traits, their voice, and mannerisms. If you d) Fabric paint or markers.
do not have a clear picture of the characters Assign scenes to individual or pairs of
in a story, neither will your listeners. students. They will draw the scene on a
Understand the setting of the story. square using fabric paint or markers. The
Know where and when events took place. scenes are stitched together and backed.
Look for phrases in the story that you After the quilt is completed, be sure to
would like to incorporate in your own telling. display it somewhere in the church.
For example, in. the sto~ of Eventually, the children may want to gi~e
&0DaVId and Goliath, a the quilt to someone so that the story IS A viphrase that I like to once again shared. urce e e-speak are David's words
to Goliath, .You come
against me with sword
and spear and javelin, but I come against
you in the name ofthe Lord. . ."
Plan gestures that will add to the story.
Usually, the fewer gestures, the better.
Prepare an introduction and a conclusion
to the story. The introduction must entice
the audience to listen to your story. You
might ask questions, show an object that follow.relates to the story, or make a brief, direct
statement about the story.
Practice the entire story.
/........
, 1iItdeasYou Ca
Creative Ways to Tell the Story.to'CREATIVE DRAMATICS.
Plays, skits, role-playing are good for
older children. Younger children enjoy
creative movement, action rhymes, and
finger plays.
For example: With older children tell a
story up to the climax, then allow them to
break up into small groups and develop the
story's ending. Each group then acts out
their ending for the others. You might take
younger children on an adventure withNoah and his ark full of animals. Let them
provide the animal sounds as you tell the
story.
A story that could be developed into a
newspaper would be the story of Jonah.
The front page could include headlines of
the city's conversion, interviews with Jonah,
sailors, the king of Ninevah, and local
people. The weather section could include
reports concerning the mysterious stormand immediate calm. The entertainment
section could include excerpts from Jonah's
message to Ninevah. The political page
could include political cartoons and
commentary by various religious and
political figures. The advertising section
might include advertising services and
products unique to that time period.
The use of storytelling in Children's
Ministries IS NOT just for entertainment.
Christian storytelling points the listener
to the Lord. A great story will always
challenge the listener to make a decision
to accept the Lord as Savior or walk in
greater obedience to Him.
to'ECHO PANTOMIME
This is a very good storytellingtechnique Intera.ctive Story Telling by Jane Haas;
for preschool and early elementary Publi~hed by Cqncordia Publishing House,children. Determine the story that you will 3358 S. Jefferson Avenue, S1. Louis, MO
tell the children. Write a simple version of 63118-3968; 800-32~040;800490-9889;
the story in short sentences. Plan an e-mail: cDh.ora cDhordert6>.lcms.oraCost:action for each sentence or short group of $7.99sentences. Practice to make sure the story
and actions are interesting and easy to
.,NEWSPAPER WRITING
Upper elementary children will enjoytelling the story through this activity.
Determine the story and read it with yourstudents from a version that is easy forthem to understand. Then plan whatnewspaper sections could be written todevelop the story from different
perspectives. For example, a newspaperusually has sections on news, economy,weather, entertainment, society, comics,etc.
Storytelling from the Bible: Make
Scripture Live for All Ages through
the Aft of Storytelling by JanetLItherland. Published by Meriwether
PublishingLtd., PO Box 7710, ColoradoSprings,CO 80933;800-937-5297. Cost:$12.95
Sto'¥'elling Recipes for Christ/anTeac:hers by Bert MilJkin. Published byConcordia Publishing House, 3358 S.Jefferson" Avenue, 81. Louis, MO
63118-:W68; 800-325-3040; 800490-9889;
e-mail: . cDhorClerca>.lcms-,ora Cost: $8.99