District Storytelling Event
May 16, 2024
5:30 -7:00 p.m.
Jordan District Auxiliary Building
7905 S Redwood Road / Entrance A - Far North Side
Interested in participating in Story Weavers?
Contact Rebecca Smith by April 26, 2024
for registration details.
The GT Department will also help sponsor school events with pins and certificates for top site-level storytellers. Contact Rebecca Smith for details.
Story Weavers
A Storytelling Festival for Grades 3-6
All students should have the opportunity to learn to communicate through storytelling. Storytelling encourages inventive thinking and imagination, which leads to better reading, writing and communication skills. Storytelling engages students in the enjoyable pursuit of literature and nurtures the preservation of the oral tradition of storytelling. Additionally, storytelling supports the reading and writing curriculum and strengthens communication and visualization skills.
Students who want to hone the art of storytelling beyond the classroom should be encouraged to tell their stories to different audiences. Teachers are encouraged to provide various opportunities for students to tell their stories. They may wish to consider facilitating a storytelling festival in their classroom, grade-level, or school.
Students who show a genuine interest and enthusiasm in storytelling may be given an opportunity to represent their school at the district storytelling event. One student or one set of students (in tandem) with exceptional storytelling abilities (criteria is listed below) can represent their school at the district festival.
Storytelling criteria based on the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival Guidelines:
- Engaging introduction
- Poise
- Enunciation
- Voice expression
- Eye contact, facial expression
- Body language, appropriate gestures
- Story pacing
- Enthusiasm and connection to story, familiarity with story
- Satisfying story choice
- Satisfying ending
Student Preparation
Students are encouraged to tell their stories as often as possible. Students should find opportunities at home and school to practice, practice, and practice!
Teacher Preparation
Help students find a voice for storytelling by providing activities that encourage the use of storytelling skills. Give students opportunities to tell stories in a safe classroom environment. Teach students how to construct and follow a story map.
Storytelling Event
A district-level story telling festival is held each May. Select students from participating schools are invited to tell their stories and will be evaluated against the criteria listed above and in the packet below. All students will receive recognition for participating in the showcase event (it is not a competition).
Resources and Guidelines