Storytelling Worksheet: Assembling Your Story Recipe

Mother and Child in Kitchen, 1907

Last week I was working with a new storytelling student. I knew he was familiar with his story but wasn’t confident enough to perform it in front of his peers, yet I recognized I was time he took that first step. I approached him privately and asked, "Would you help me with a demonstration by standing in front of the class and summarizing your story? I will prompt you each step of the way by asking specific questions to lead you through it." I was delighted when he agreed.

He successfully completed the demonstration to a hearty round of applause from his peers. I enthusiastically said, “You just performed your story! All you need to do now is add some layers; gestures, facial expressions, etc.”  He gave all of us a huge smile; I look forward to the next time he shares his story to see what ingredients he has added to the tale.

Later that day I was sharing the experience with a colleague and the word ‘layer’ gave me the idea of designing the worksheet below.  I already use a variety of original worksheets, found in my book, Story by Story: Creating a Student Storytelling Troupe, 

focusing on the story setting, the five senses, character development, gestures, storyboards, etc. This worksheet reinforces a few of those elements while adding those associated with stage presence*, how they made the story their own, along with asking them to expand on why they love their story. *While students physically practice stage presence some students with different learning styles will benefit from writing it down.

This exercise took approximately ten minutes for them to complete. I immediately segued into my interactive game, Red Rover Red Rover Send Story Right Over, to reinforce the details shared on their worksheets. It was a very productive and fun storytelling session. I hope you find the worksheet useful.

If you are interested in using it with your own students you have my permission, however, I respectfully ask that you do not remove the copyright information and credit the source. If you would like the worksheet in a .doc file I will be happy to email it to you. You may reach me at storybug@aol.com . If you do use it I would be interested to know how it worked for you and your students.

Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think about this new worksheet. I monitor all comments to avoid spam so you will not immediately see your comment posted until I approve it. Thank you for visiting!

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Karen Chace 2019 ©

Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.