Storytelling has existed since we have had the ability to speak. The Brothers Grimm along with many other people wrote the stories that were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth to paper. Everyone has a story to tell.
Let's Tell A Story
In Grades 7 & 8, you will be telling a story to your peers. This is part of your mark for Term 2. Your story must be three to five minutes in length when retold orally. It is important to practice your story to see how long it takes you to complete it. If your story is over five minutes, it might be too long to retell. If your story is under three minutes, it might be too short or you are retelling it too quickly.
How to Get Prepared:
1. Choose a story you wish to retell. It can be a true story, a ghost story, a fairytale, a legend, or a child's story (example: Barbar, Berenstein Bears, etc.). You could choose a story written by Robert Munsch. I have lots of storybooks you can look through and decide. You may borrow one of my books, but you are responsible for it. If it is damaged or lost, you must replace it with the same book. You may not choose a rhyming story such as Dr. Seuss. Do not retell a novel! It must be a published story, not one from the Internet or one that you or someone you know wrote it. It cannot be a common fairytale like The Three Little Pigs or Cinderella. It can be a fractured fairytale (example: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs). Speak to me to confirm that the story you picked is acceptable. I will only allow two people per class to have the same story, so make your decision quickly- first come, first serve! Choose a story that you like and you think your audience would enjoy hearing. Don't forget to tell your audience the title and author of the story you are retelling before you begin.
2. Decide how you are going to retell it. Are you going to tell the story in the past or present tense? Are you going to tell it in the first person (I) or the third person (he/she)? Are you going to use a prop to help retell your story? You are allowed to wear a costume or have one prop only. You don't need a prop if you don't want one. Use different voices to represent different characters in the story. Use facial and hand gestures. What will be the tone of your voice (sad, happy, excited)? If the story is funny, your voice should reflect that. If the story is sad, your body language and voice must reflect the sadness. You don't need to cry. Leave that for your audience to do. Have a slight pause after you come to a funny part to give your audience a chance to laugh. Speak clearly!
3. Keep in mind that the people in the back of the classroom must be able to hear you retell the story. It is important thay you keep eye contact with your audience. If you speak to the floor, the audience will not hear you. Focus your eyes in front and not on your teacher.
4. Posture is important. Stand straight and don't lean again the Smart board. You will be standing in front, not sitting. If you are using gestures, make sure they are appropriate There should be limited movement at the front of the class Be careful that as you move, the audience can still hear you.
5. Don't panic if you miss something. Keep going. The only one who will really know is you. Avoid saying, "okay..." as the beginning of each sentence. Sometimes people do this because they are nervous. Practice so that you are only retelling the story.
6. Don't rush your story. Try to show that you are enjoying retelling it (even if you're not). Memorizing is not always a good option. Sometimes when you are nervous, you forget a word or two, and that can stop you cold. Know the story as if you were going to retell it to a friend or a young child. The more you practice, the better you will get. Try telling your story in front of a mirror. Practice in front of family and friends, and ask for their advice on how you can improve. Learn to visualize your story so you will be able to replay it in your mind as you say it.
7. When you are finished your story, be clear with your ending. You may have something serious to say at the end of the story and the audience should sense that. There might be a punch line or funny word at the end which your audience should laugh at. Maybe you are retelling a ghost story and you have to scare your audience at the end. It could just be a simple ending and you will only need to say, "the end".
8. Relax and good luck!