RES 5535: Race, Class, and Gender in Literacy Research (summer 2010)

Elizabeth,
I think you are exactly right that we as a culture need to spend more time on telling our stories. Having a written account of our history is something that I am greatful for and can not imagine how much pressure would be on someone if they had to be the one, to pass on their history. However I also think there is something special about having a story being told to you. Even as an adult I love to go and listen to people speak when they are telling the stories of their life. When we take on the role of a storyteller it is almost as if the story comes to life for the listener. I think we often do forget how important that is for children and I know for me personally it is something I am going to be more aware of in my teaching.

You are right. Grandparents are an important part of keeping the past alive. I remember sitting on my great grandma’s porch and hearing tales of the olden days. I would give anything to have those experiences back. Sometimes I think that people have become too overwhelmed in life and technology to appreciate the past and past experiences. I think that children these days not really know how to sit and listen to stories if they are not entertaining( I am not sure that I did as a kid either or at least I didn't understand the relevance like I do now). That is also part of our job I feel is to make children understand the importance of stillness and listening. There is so much noise they encounter on a daily basis (TV, iPods, vehicles, radios, DVDs, computer games) that it is hard for them to appreciate quietness and how to be an active member of an audience. Then they could be ready to receive a story from someone and make the personal connection that is so relevant.
Amy Reep

There is a lot to be learned about cultures via storytelling. That would probably be something we should remember as educators. We should try to incorporate storytelling into our classrooms for all its value and especially for the way it can inform students on culture. Storytelling does enhance literacy. It helps children learn about creativity in stories. It gets them used to the flow of stories. Thus this can help them with writing. There is a rhythm to stories. It should be apparent in students’ writing. Allowing students the opportunity to continue to hear stories will get them used to this rhythm or language. Wow, if your father wouldn’t have shared those stories about your great-grandparents then you wouldn’t have known anything about them. I think it is wonderful that he took the time to share those stories with you. One day your little one(s) will be passing them down too! I agree with you that written stories are important but storytelling is priceless. When you engage in storytelling you can ask questions to the storyteller. You can also have parts elaborated on if your storyteller will do so for you. A lot more enthusiasm and voice is also put into a story that is told through storytelling versus being read from a book. You can interact with the story more than you could with a written story. You are engaging in human contact and socializing as well. The list goes on and on.

Elizabeth, we have such similar experiences. I have appointed myself the keeper of our family's stories. I think it's great that you pass them on to your daughter. Hopefully she will carry on the tradition as well. When Perry discusses using oral traditions to enhance literacy I can't help but think of my own experience. When I was little my great grandmother would read my favorite book to me everyday; sometimes several times a day. I must have been three or four years old. I don't remember the name but I do remember it was about cats. Many years later I learned that my great grandmother couldn't read. Every time she "read" the cat book to me she was making up a new story based on the pictures. I'm sure that's why I loved it so much; the plot never got old! Reflecting on this, I am convinced she was the catalyst for my love of reading. Her gift of storytelling created a love of books in me and a desire to learn to read for myself, just as the desire to tell their stories led the Lost Boys to pursue their education and master the English language. I agree that storytelling is truly a powerful literary force that we often overlook.

Elizabeth,
I, too, tell my daughter about my grandmother. She LOVES hearing stories about her. I am very fortunate in the fact that I have a lot of Grandmama's stories on tape. I was able to "interview" her for one of my undergrad classes and I had to "tape record" it. My aunt also had her talk about her childhood and tell stories about it while being tape recorded. We still love to sit around and listen to these tapes.
I agree with you in the fact that stories in print are wonderful, but they are so much better when you're able to listen to the stories being told. I never realized, until reading the article from Perry, how very important storytelling is to all cultures, but especially to cultures such as the ones the "Lost Boys" are members of.

I think storytelling is a part of our culture that is being lost right now. The use of technology such as email, text messaging, and such are endangering the further use of storytelling. I hope for the sake of our future generations that we do know lose this form of art.