This research took me back to elementary school. I remember we had a local librarian that came around and they always introduced her as a storyteller. As I thought about those experiences in my life I began to think of the difference between that type of storytelling and the one addressed in Perry’s research. The woman who came to my school told folk tales or just stories from books in an animated, over exaggerated way. So basically she was telling a story while acting it out, where as the “Lost Boys” needed these storytellers to keep them informed of their heritage. It was a way for them to learn about where they came from and keep these traditions going. I am thankful for those fun and entertaining experiences in elementary school because I remember it made me love reading and writing even more. However, I would love to have a history of storytellers that helped me to see where certain traditions came from or why it is important to do things a certain way. These boys already had a rich literacy history before ever arriving in America.
It is remarkable the obstacles these boys overcame and to come to a new country and still flourish speaks volumes. I remember watching a news special on some of these young men once. How can we get our students to see that they can accomplish these goals as well? Many of our students are so eager to give up or quit. I only teach 2nd graders, but they are still subject to this defeatist attitude. How can I share this type of story to show them that yes, you may not be reading well, but these young boys continued to learn while running for their lives. It is such a powerful example for students all over the world. I hope these young men never stop telling their stories.
Odessa Scales
Comments (4)
I also wish I had someone telling me stories about my hertiage as I grew up. I also remember having "storytellers" come to school, but nothing like the way these boys explain storytelling in their country. These boys did have a rich literacy knowledge because of their schooling, but also because of the storytelling. I know we can't bring the same type of storytelling to our classrooms because of all the different heritages, but I do think we can help our students further themselves in literacy by being able to tell a story. Not just retell, but completely tell by themselves a good story. I find this hard to do. I struggle teaching writing for this same reason. I find it hard to tell a good story, but I think if I had heard better modeling throughout school maybe this would be easier for me. My goal is to be a better model of storytelling, so my students are better able to do the same thing.
Posted by Angie Sigmon | June 18, 2010 9:10 AM
Posted on June 18, 2010 09:10
Odessa and Angie,
As you both have already mentioned, I too remember a "storyteller" coming around to our elementary schools. Also, during the summer our public library would tell a story weekly along with many other things that dealt with literacy. Also, once a month a "storyteller" goes around to local preschools.
Once reading this I also thought it would have be amazing to learn about my heritage through storytelling. It just has richness to it!
Angie, I agree with you in sharing these struggles as a way to motivate our students. Whereas your students are in 2nd grade, mine are 6-8th grades. Many of my struggling students who are my lowest level readers talk daily about quitting school when they turn a specific age. Because many of mine can't read or really write, they create stories and tell them into the classroom tape recorder. I then go and listen to it, discuss what they have dictated, and then I will type it out for them to make class books. Before this process we discuss the elements of a story and the process of writing it. For example how stories have a beginning, middle, and end. Once the books are done I then teach them to read their own. Once they have that mastered they teach other students to read it.
Posted by Candace B Heffinger | June 18, 2010 4:38 PM
Posted on June 18, 2010 16:38
I have had second graders shut down and show defeat shortly into the school year. I think this is clear example of helping students find a voice. It could be as simple as sitting and talking with them during lunch or on the playground. It should be a conversation not a lecture. A story will emerge during the conversation and could be used as purpose to write. The young men from the Sudan were encouraged by their professors and teachers to write their story.
There comes a time when you have to forget about scores and focus on the person. If the person feels good about themselves, the attitude tends to transfer to their academic work.
Posted by Zandra Hunt | June 18, 2010 8:52 PM
Posted on June 18, 2010 20:52
Odessa,
Reading your first paragraph reminded me of a Native American storyteller that used to come each year to the school where I teach. Students LOVED him! They would sit for over an hour listening to him tell stories about his culture, traditions, etc. He was wonderful! I loved listening to him as well. Thinking about hiim makes me wonder why he doesn't come anymore?!?!?
I also thought it was remarkable to learn of the obstacles the "Lost Boys" overcame. It made me wonder if I would be able to overcome such obstacles. (Not that I want to try, but...it makes you wonder.) I had never heard of these boys until reading Perry's article. I would be interested in hearing them talk about their experiences. Marsha Warren
Posted by Marsha Warren | June 18, 2010 10:07 PM
Posted on June 18, 2010 22:07