Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
Distance Learning
Integrated Art Lesson
Title:
Folk Tales and Storytelling – How to craft your own exciting story
Description and Overall
Focus:
Folk tales have been beloved all over the world for as long as humans have
had language. In this inspiring lesson, we’ll explore an ancient Egyptian folk
tale (The Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor), discuss elements of good storytelling,
and write our own exciting stories.
Length of Lesson
45 minutes
Grade Range
Elementary-Middle
Objective(s)
Students will 1) follow along during the reading of an Egyptian folk tale and be
able to recall the plot; 2) learn 5 elements of successful storytelling; and 3)
apply those elements to their own stories by working in small groups,
incorporating rhythm and/or rhyme.
Materials: PLEASE NOTE:
Some materials must be
acquired prior to this
lesson
Introductory activity
Core activity
•
•
Teacher Provided Handout Templates and Examples:
Handout #1: elements of successful storytelling
Handout #2: outline for creating your own story
Supplies: Additional Writing Paper. Pencils, paintbrushes, or any other items
that can be used as “drum sticks.” If the classroom has access to any rhythm
sticks, egg shakers, or maracas from the music department, the more the
merrier!
Students will follow along as the instructor introduces and reads through a short
ancient Egyptian folk tale. They will answer questions about the plot,
characters and challenges the characters face. They will discuss the
importance of rhythm in storytelling and how stories help us learn about one
another. Students are encouraged to have materials handy that can be used
as instruments for incidental music throughout the reading of the story.
Instructor will discuss 5 elements of good storytelling with students and then
encourage teachers to divide their classes into groups of 4-5 students. Each
group will apply the elements of storytelling to the creation of their own original
short story, with the incorporation of rhythm and/or rhyme into the story.
Closure activity
Each group will have an opportunity to present their short story to their
classmates and teacher. The Instructor will end the class with a re-cap of
storytelling elements and suggestions on future applications.
Assessment
Review questions include: 1) What are the 5 elements of successful storytelling?
2) How can rhythm help to tell a story? 3) What can stories tell us about one
another?
Teacher follow-up idea
Have students create illustrations for their stories and bind them together into
books.
Student follow-up idea
Choose a character in your story and create an illustration of that character
that highlights his/her personality.
Book/Web references
http://www.inc.com/pauljarvis/the-5-common-elements-of-good-storytelling.html
•
5 Elements of Good Storytelling:
•
7 Elements of Good Storytelling:
https://www.msu.edu/course/tc/842/SevenElements%20Sto
ry.htm
•
Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green (Puffin Classics)
Art and Culture Center of
Hollywood
www.artandculturecenter.org
Lesson plan prepared by Alisha Ross, Founder of Just Add Rhythm LLC