In the first week, an introduction session was held between Madam Lily and the students. Each student is asked to introduce themselves in front of the class by stating their full name, place of residence and the reason why they chose the Storytelling in The Primary ESL Classroom course. We started getting to know each other better. We also need to complete the first week's assignment on Padlet regarding personal information. We need to upload pictures and tell about favorite foods, hobbies, places to travel and others.
Next, the class escalated with a presentation of course information. Madam Lily explains the topics that will be studied this semester. Madam Lily also explains what the students need to achieve as well as the tasks that need to be completed. We were informed that this language course does not have a final exam and only continuous assessment which is quizzes, portfolios and storytelling presentations. We question and answer with Madam Lily about the things that cause confusion. Although we are relieved because we don't have to sit for the exam, we have to perform the task with more commitment.
In the second week, we started studying the topics contained in the course information. Madam Lily explains about the types, features and benefits of storytelling. The types of storytelling are divided into oral, visual, written and digital. For features, it is divided into serious and entertaining storytelling. After the information session, we were divided into several groups. Each group gets a different title which is digital storytelling, written storytelling, oral storytelling and visual storytelling. Each group has to produce a presentation on their respective topic using an independent platform.
Once finished, we were asked to present the work in groups. Madam Lily provides comments and a question and answer session if there are any questions the students want to ask. Next, we were asked to complete tasks on Padlet individually. We are asked to state a story that uses serious or entertaining features and state evidence.
In the third week, we conducted a virtual lecture through the google meet application because of the Chinese New Year celebration. In today's lecture session, Madam Lily explained about the topic of storytelling technique. After that, we were divided into several groups. Each group has to complete their own task where each group has to create a story. Each group got a different title, namely monomyth, in media res, the mountain, sparklines, false starts, nested loops, converging ideas and petal structure. When finished, we have to present the work that has been completed as a group. We complete the task by discussing in the group and dividing each other's tasks. My group came up with a topic of converging ideas and we chose a story about "The 6:15 Train".
After finishing the presentation, we are required to answer a quiz on Jungle Ai regarding the topics that have been studied to find out our level of mastery. The quiz consists of 15 questions. We only have to choose the answer option. I only got 85% but I am grateful and will try harder from now on.
Time flies so fast, the fourth week has drawn the curtain. This week, the class continued with the presentation of the title of storytelling activities in a language classroom which was divided into finger/spoon puppets, one word story, storytelling boxes/jars, storytelling stones, storytelling with poetry and storytelling with play dough. After delivering the lecture, we were divided into several groups and each group would be assigned a storytelling activity. Madam Lily explained the activity where we had to record a story.
Next, we started to discuss in groups. My group got a storytelling activity on play dough. We discussed the title of the story and the preparation of story props. We started preparing the ingredients and making the props. In the previous class session, we were informed to prepare the materials. Class continues with the preparation of props until adjourned.
In the fifth week, the class continues with an explanation of the last topic, which is storytelling performance. Madam Lily gives a lecture and we can also ask questions or express opinions. After finishing the lecture, Madam Lily gave us space to continue the task of recording the video. For groups that have not yet prepared props, they are asked to speed up the preparation process. Madam Lily also opened the door for any questions regarding the assignment.
My group has chosen a story titled the adventure of Betty The Bear and Rocky The Racoon. This story is about the adventures of a bear and a racoon. We started to prepare bear, racoon, owl and tree figurines using dough. Once finished we record the video and edit it by adding animation and audio. The class continued with the activity of recording the story until completion.