The Storypath StrategyStudents live, not read,

historic stories

The Storypath Strategy

Supporting Research

“A clear and compelling narrative helps us find meaning, not just scattered facts and abstract ideas. Stories help us remember and make sense of our lives and the lives around us….A story is not a diversion; the best stories make our lives more understandable and focused.”

Wiggins & McTighe, Understanding by Design. p.48

The Storypath Strategy

Integrates Literacy and Content

Storypath’s authentic and engaging real world context approach to social studies develops literacy skills.

The Storypath Strategy

Reading Process

Clear instructions:

• Connect to prior knowledge

• Focus on main ideas and supporting details

• Compare and contrast

The Storypath Strategy

Reading Process

Students develop skills to:

• Distinguish fact from opinion

• Recognize biased language

• Recognize and make inferences

The Storypath Strategy

Vocabulary Is

• Used in context

• Accompanied by clear definitions

• Represented visually

• Practiced in role playing

• Reinforced repeatedly

The Storypath Strategy

Questioning Process

Key concepts and values are phrased as “problems” which students “solve”—adding depth to their understanding.

The Storypath Strategy

Writing Process

• Explicit procedures guide writing

• Students write for a variety of purposes

• Students learn and practice how to evaluate writing

The Storypath Strategy

Sample of Student WritingFrom Struggle for Independence unit

The Storypath Strategy

Sequencing Engages Learners

• Creating the setting

• Creating the characters

• Building context

• Addressing critical incidents

• Designing a concluding event

The Storypath Strategy

Example: The Wampanoags

Setting: The Wampanoag families

Characters: The village

Context: The changing seasons

Critical incidents: The arrival of the PilgrimsNot enough food for feast

Concluding event: Thanksgiving feast

The Storypath Strategy

Creating the Setting

Students collaboratively create historical settings

The Storypath Strategy

Creating the Characters

Students write and speak in character.

The Storypath Strategy

Building the Context

• Community background

• Community timeline

• Community celebrations

The Storypath StrategyCritical Incidents Heighten

Student EngagementCharacters confront problems common at the time:

Wampanoag families do not have enough food for Thanksgiving feast.

The Storypath Strategy

Concluding Events Reinforce Learning

Students plan and participate in their own activity to close the story:

Wampanoag families’ Thanksgiving feast

The Storypath Strategy

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