~~ GRSATSTORYTSLLING-YOuCANDOIT!~1Vs~~[NEWSL'ETTER] Volume5 Issue 9 Sep1iember2001

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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