The Storyteller

We all have those childhood memories of sitting and listening to stories. Even now I can picture those story times from my childhood, especially with two of my Uncles. No books, no notes, just stories that made me laugh, think, and imagine.

One of my uncles who I would like to call the Grand Master Storyteller - well when he began a story it was magical. It was in the way he spoke in a calm, steady voice, never hurried. His voice rose and fell in all the right places, and somehow, even the smallest details felt grand and important. You could almost see the story playing out in front of you. None of that information was ever memorized or studied, but it stayed with me because of just the way it was told.

My other uncle, Ganamams, my mother’s brother, is another master storyteller, but with his own unique style. He has this effortless way of mixing humor, fun, and a little bit of drama. His stories are full of laughter and mischief, told with perfect timing and that playful twinkle in his eye. He can turn even the most ordinary event into something hilarious and memorable. What makes his style of storytelling special is the way he connects with his audience. He does not just tell stories he makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the plot.

As a teacher, some of my best lessons are when I turn storyteller - the genes there coming in very helpful I must add. A math lesson becomes the story of having to share some delicious cake with my siblings and learning fractions the hard way. A Unit lesson on the Gold Rush turns into making students believe I was one of the 49ers myself, feeling the dust, the heat, and the excitement of discovering gold. An exploration of the layers of the rainforest has me taking the students on that journey: slipping on the slimy dark forest floor covered with creepy crawlies or slithering snakes or up in the canopy swinging with the monkeys. I love watching the faces of my students, catching the different expressions on their faces change as they listen, seeing that wide eyed look that tells me they are completely caught up in the story.

One of the nicest comments I received was after a lesson observation, when a senior leader said, “I got so caught up in your story, I forgot to take notes.” It reiterated the power of storytelling that captures attention, holds it, and makes learning come alive.

So over to you then: How do you use storytelling in your classroom or where have you seen the power of storytelling transform a lesson?