Listening for Literacy: World of Stories

A rich and meaningful experience of oral language is an essential building block for the development of effective literacy. Oral storytelling has always been one of the most powerful ways to connect, to learn, to imagine. It is still a foundational for the development of reading and other essential skills.

The traditional folk and fairy tales of this program, open up a world of adventure and imagination for your students. They are the most ancient and – oh so contemporary – of learning strategies encouraging empathy, self-reflection, inter-cultural respect, language development, active listening and … they are just plain fun!

This rich world heritage of narrative is deeply imbedded in popular culture and contains stories to engage participants of all ages. There are simple interactive tales for the very young, wonder tales shining with vivid imagery and remarkable exploits for middle grades and the grandeur of the world’s great epics for older participants.

Note: While all ages can enjoy this material, stories are chosen to be age appropriate. Groups should be divided approximately as follows k-1, 1-3 , 3-6, 6-8, 9-12

Curriculum Links

•Active listening skills; •Story structure: plot, character, landscape and narrative arc; •Oral language as roots of literacy; •Empathy; •Cultural inclusion; •Myth and legend; •Non-verbal communication;

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