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Storytelling in the Primary Classroom is a course about how to use oral storytelling and storytelling techniques in primary education. It offers five days of presentations, workshops & performances.

The first part of the course pays attention to the telling of stories, tackling elements such as to tell in narrative structures, to use appropriate language, to add description, dialogue, contrast, repetition; switch to different times, places, characters; play with rhythm, silence, humour, tension …
The second part offers a methodological approach for using storytelling in the classroom, for narrative teaching and learning. Here the focus is on educational guidelines and offers a set of practical exercises and tips and tricks.

The main trainer at the course will be a professional storyteller (UK based). Guest speakers will add specific topics to the programme.

Description:

Storytelling in the Primary Classroom is a course about how to use oral storytelling and storytelling techniques in primary education. The course will be hosted and run in the beautiful Storytelling Castle Alden Biesen in Belgium, the home of the biggest international storytelling festival in Europe. It offers five days of presentations, workshops & performances.

Storytelling in the classroom is much more than telling stories in the classroom. Stories, storytelling and narrative teaching approaches are known to help improve children’s verbal and communication skills in the mother tongue and/or in a foreign language. It also impacts imagination, creativity, social and civic competences, values, intercultural understanding, cultural awareness and expression. By offering subject content as a narrative, transformed into images, one improves the quality of the transfer of this content. A school where education is partly offered through storytelling approaches will have a greater appeal on pupils’ motivation because of the open atmosphere, the interactive and creative elements and the valuing of different cultures.

Although this power of storytelling as an educational tool is widely recognised, storytelling as such is hardly ever included in initial teacher training curricula throughout Europe. Therefor Storytelling Castle Alden Biesen set up a series of in-service training courses on this topic.

The first part of the course pays attention to the telling of stories, tackling elements such as to tell in narrative structures, to use appropriate language, to add description, dialogue, contrast, repetition; switch to different times, places, characters; play with rhythm, silence, humour, tension …
The second part offers a methodological approach for using storytelling in the classroom, for narrative teaching and learning. Here the focus is on educational guidelines and offers a set of practical exercises and tips and tricks.

The main trainer at the course will be a professional storyteller (UK based). Guest speakers will add specific topics to the programme.

Participation Fees

Course fee: € 400

Hosting and Accommodation

Full board training in the beautiful castle of Alden Biesen
https://www.alden-biesen.be/

Arrival on Sunday 7th February 2021 in the afternoon – departure Friday 12^th February 2021 after lunch
@ Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, Kasteelstraat 6, 3740 Bilzen, Belgium.
Accommodation (5 nights): € 350 (single room), double rooms available for €175 p.p.
All meals: (breakfast/coffee breaks/lunch/dinner) €260

Evaluation strategy:

The small number of participants (max. 15) will allow for a daily roundup and feedback session. Most exercises will include a form of presentation or ‘performance’ open to peer feedback.

The clear competence description will also allow for a clear learning outcome evaluation at the end of the course.

At the end the course will be evaluated (organisational matters & content) by the organisers in the light of a next edition.

Teaching/Learning approach:

The main part of the course will be run through practical workshops, led by a professional storyteller, in group, duo or trio and will involve exercises related to the competences as presented above.

Guest speakers (e.g. a teacher trainer) will tackle theoretical and didactic topics.

Target Group(s) :

Primary school teachers and staff (age group 4 – 12)

Assessment Methods:

A self-assessment tool, based on the competences and learning outcomes descriptions will, at the start document the starting point (0 measure) of the participants.

A trainer and peer assessment, based on the same learning outcomes, at the end of the course, will document the progress of the participant.

Competences: Search and find story material, (Re)construct and adapt story material, Master narrative and language, Master oral storytelling techniques, Create, Guide storytelling exercises and assignments, Master applied storytelling techniques

Subject: Storytelling, Narratives, Didactics

Certification: No

Competence Oriented Approach:

Competences tackled

Search and find story material
(e.g. search in the library, surf on the internet, take over from others, find different versions…)
(Re)construct and adapt story material
(i.e. prepare the ‘material’: determine the story bones; define time, space and characters; customise stories to a given theme …)
Master narrative and language
(e.g. tell in narrative structures, expand your vocabulary, use appropriate language, adjust language to age or target group …)
Master oral storytelling techniques
(e.g. make a captivating start and a lasting end, build up to a climax; add description, dialogue, contrast, repetition; switch to different times, places, characters; play with rhythm, silence, humour, tension …)
Create
(imagine, conceive, envision; concretise and realise ideas; make artistic choices; scrape, shave and polish; construct new material…)
Guide storytelling exercises and assignments
(e.g. give clear instructions; work in small logical steps, adjust level and pace; provide clear and constructive feedback; give room to repeat and improve …)
Master applied storytelling techniques
(e.g. techniques to connect people, empower people, revive memories, develop language, translate science, unlock heritage...)

Blended Learning Modalities:

All participants (max. 15) will be linked through social media.
A preliminary on-line meeting will help the participants to know each other, to learn about expectations and home professional contexts.

A participant’s profile including the home professional situation, target groups and needs will be distributed beforehand.
An on-line communication portal will provide peer communication on follow up and transfer.

On-line course material is also provided through two portals of dedicated International projects, developed by Alden Biesen: www.sheherazade.eu www.storiesforlearning.eu

European Dimension Guaranteed:

Storytelling in the Primary Classroom is an international course and caters for primary teachers from all over Europe. The course takes place in Alden Biesen, a European centre for storytelling and the seat of FEST (Federation for European Storytelling). Links with FEST and the national storytelling scene in each participant country will be highlighted.

One slot at the course will be dedicated to local (national) teaching and learning situations by the participants.
To encourage further cooperation between the participants, one slot will be dedicated on how to set up an KA2 ERASMUS+ international cooperation project between schools.

Date/s of the Course: