“…Our ‘thought flows in terms of stories—stories about events, stories about people, and stories about intentions and achievements. The best teachers are the best storytellers. We learn in the form of stories.'”

(To Think by Frank Smith, 1990)

Session Description

Drawing from family oral history as funds of knowledge, students legitimize their own experiences in the classroom setting. These stories become the context for writing workshops with an authentic purpose. Students’ voices and styles emerge as they become authors of their stories. Students’ stories become the content and context for teaching and learning. As a culminating event, family members are invited to hear their child's story presentation. Chautauqua is introduced as a form of storytelling in the process.

TEACHING FOR LEARNING/90-Minutes

· I AM POEMS or 6 word autobiography

· Family Character - web ideas/descriptions for each character

· Share with each group-then write about the one you choose

· Share your choice with each other

· Then watch other Chautauquas of students!

· Student Reflections

o Show story drafts

o Notebooks

o Sample stories/anthologies/book marks/ children’s literature

o Padlet post 6 word autobiography

o Comments on padlet

· Conference link to website, articles, resources