Teaching w/Stories is Strategic Learning

Sometimes you need a story more than food to stay alive." ~Barry Lopez~

Stories are more meaningful to students and teachers than any standardized test.

The balance of oracy (listening and speaking; oral, aural) to literacy (reading and writing) is not recognized or validated in our school culture that values literacy above orality. Language is not neutral and writing and reading represent historical, social, critical and political contexts of a status of power. In this way, we are leaving out many voices that have something to contribute and valuable perspectival insight as learning strengths not recognized in our school culture.

Teacher candidates in our University of New Mexico College of Education Teacher Education Program are becoming culturally responsive teachers through their experiences in our family oral history practicum collaborative project. Fifth grade students are coached by UNM storytelling coaches as they draw from their own family stories in the writing and reading process.

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 workshop with authentic purpose in teaching and learning. Students voice and style emerge as they become authors of their stories. As a culminating event, family members are invited to hear their story presentations.

Students are acknowledged as young storytellers who have something to share-something of their own-to contribute to their learning environment. There is validation and respect for their family experiences as students own their stories and share it with an audience. Therein lies hope, purpose and joy in creating meaningful and authentic experiences for student expression in school! This work is based on eight years working with students in a local school district with UNM teacher candidates and classroom teachers. Preservice teachers can put theory into practice as they work one on one with students as storytelling coaches in crafting their stories. They also learn that these stories are organic, dynamic and are messier than any lesson plan. They also realize the importance of listening to young authors as equals in the writing process. A powerful collaboration!