Activity 2

THE POWER OF ORAL STORY

Activity Synopsis

Students will recall or develop a story from either their own cultural heritage or real life personal experiences that reveal an intended lesson or moral. Using a format similar to that of Qwalena, students will create multi-media presentation or performance to orally communicate this story clearly showing how it delivers the intended lesson(s).

Materials

Class set of I-Pads and projector to show student multi-media performance.

First Task

Explore and discuss the oral storytelling performance of “Qwalena: The Wild Woman Who Steals Children” and have students:

• identify the morals/intended lessons of the story
• discuss the methods used in oral storytelling to communicate intended lessons/ morals (eg. humour, tragedy, fear, surprise, etc)
• recognize the importance of the language used in oral storytelling and how stories can change if told in a different language

Second Task

Explore and discuss Qwalena in terms of:

• how it may or may not relate to their own life experiences
• how it made them feel

 Third Task

Working in pairs, or small groups, students will explore how Qwalena has influenced the way they want to deliver their own oral story in order to show the intended lessons.

Note:  To generate their own story students can be encouraged to use one of the following Apps:

Keynote                                                  A Comic Life

Book Creator                                         Story Buddy 2

Scribble My Story                                 Book Writer

Fourth Task

As individuals, or a group, students will deliver their oral story to the class including a question/answer session at the end to ensure the intended lessons were successfully communicated.

Educator Outcomes
Students will become aware of how to articulate their story as well as the technical conventions and techniques of creating a traditional or non-traditional story. Students will become aware of how stories help us learn about ourselves, our families and our communities. Students will learn to orally express their narrative as well as listen to oral narratives of their peers. This will generate stronger connections, build trust and develop deeper relationships with their peers. Students will learn concepts of empathy for the life experiences of others and strengthen their active listening skills.  Students will learn to use contemporary technology and discover how it contributes to the presentation and power of oral story.