Storytelling in the Classroom

People have told stories since time began as a way to pass down knowledge and as a survival technique. Telling and listening to stories is an essential part of our human experience. We don't just learn from them; we are also entertained by them. These days we get stories from television, books, and digital platforms. Still, we can always appreciate the value of a told or spoken story, especially in our classroom.

 

I love telling a good story, and I do it well. I can also deliver a good joke and love writing (hence this blog). In the last few years, I've had to write and deliver 3 eulogies, and morbid as that might seem, I appreciated it. All three were close to me (including my Mum), so naturally, I wanted to honour them by telling their story. Humans love to listen to stories. Ask me what Pi is or any other mathematical formula, and I couldn't tell you. But ask me what my favourite books, nursery rhymes, and TV shows from my childhood were, and I clearly remember. This is because one was delivered as a fact, and the others were offered as stories.

 

Storytelling is an essential part of my pedagogy. Writing this blog had me wondering why that is. Is it because I love a joke and a laugh? Is it because I have 48 years of life experience to share or 22 years in education to work out what works for me? It is all three.

 

Laughter is good for the soul. Everybody appreciates a good laugh. How often have you heard someone start a joke, and you tune in to listen even if it's not directed to you? …Just me? In class, I use humour regularly. I tell Dad Jokes, and I include humour in a story. I'm not afraid to make the joke about me, either. If I can build some trust, respect, and rapport with students by getting a laugh at my story, then students will connect with me and engage in our lesson.

 

I am closing in on 50 years of age. As daunting as this seems, my teaching practice, particularly my storytelling ability, is still improving. I have worked many jobs in my 48 years. Some good, some bad. Some remote, dirty, challenging, and some relatively easy. I have also been lucky enough to travel quite a bit. I love travelling and learning about people, places, and cultures. Where laughter is good for the soul, travel broadens the mind. In 2020, I worked in a very remote part of Australia that was sometimes intimidating and scary. I was removed from many creature comforts I was accustomed to, and my Mum passed away while I was away. Needless to say, it wasn't the best time of my life. However, from all those experiences, I can draw on stories related to my class's lessons or content.

 

Within my 22 years of teaching experience, I have only worked at 3 different schools. One of those for 19 years! However, I can still draw on various stories to tell about lessons (good and bad) or teachers and students I've worked with. Different year levels and subjects I've taught, excursions, or extracurricular events I've been involved in.

 

So, what is it about a good story that can capture the attention of a class and have them learning?

 

Firstly, a story can connect learning to the real world and give the students an understanding of the need to learn something. I'm sure we have all been in a situation where we have wondered, "why do I need to know this?" Providing students with a real-world example makes that connection.   

 

Stories can make learning more enjoyable. Hamming it up doesn't hurt, either. Using humour or variation in the tone of your voice and volume. Role-playing characters or getting others to assist makes it more fun and interesting.

 

And, of course, embellishing those stories! Of course, I embellish/alter/change the story to fit the content or the point I am trying to make. Before my Mum passed, I remember telling her about a particular lesson I taught and the story I told. My Mum knew the story and said, "That's not true. You lied to them!" I remember saying to Mum, "No, I'm engaging them." The story doesn't have to be real or accurate; it's about engaging students in learning.

 

Storytelling has been around for thousands of years, and for good reason. It is a great teaching and learning tool. It's the simplest, but to do it well, like anything, requires practice and refinement. But how often do you use it? Of course, we have fantastic technology and resources available to us today. Still, sometimes getting back to the basics, the original methods are also great for students learning.      

 

You may have noticed I've mentioned my Mum a couple of times in this blog. Today is the second anniversary of her passing. I have been talking about her quite a bit today. Retelling stories about my memories of her. I have so many great memories. But that's a story for another day…