Storytelling Unit

You need to work through this Packet, it is expected to be completed and completed with care, I
promise it will help you! *Notice that you have two ballots in this packet you need to have both of these
completed at some point by someone in the class. When you are helping others during this experience
please actually be helpful, critique in a positive way that will also help your classmate grow as a
performer, most of all have fun! *** REMEMBER YOU NEED TO E-MAIL THE AUTHORS ASKING FOR
PREMISSION TO PREFORM THEIR STORYTELLING

Schedule:
March 11: Introduction to Storytelling (focus on slections)
March 13 and March 20- Poetry Performances/ Packet due on Performance day
March 14: Oratory section of My Forensics self (be discovering an issue that you are passionate about)
March 21 : Storytelling Element of my Forensics Self
March 25: Storytelling work in class, focus on movement . (Storytelling should be selected and brought
to class this day) Blocking page in Packet.
April 1 : Storytelling Work Characters. Work on Character Analysis in Packet
April 3 : Rehearsal Focus. Get worksheet and two ballots filled out today
April 8 and April 10 Storytelling Performances/ Packet due on Performance day

Storytelling Rules:

Helpful Hints:

*Selection should have quality and aesthetic value

and be appropriate for an audience of children.
*No props, costumes or makeup may be used
during performance. (Only one chair may be used
by the performer.)
*An introduction should be presented containing
information necessary to understand story.
*Title and author should be presented in the
introduction.
*Time limit, inclusive of introduction, is 4-6
minutes.

*You should connect with your storytelling

*Use your chair in creative ways
*Have fun over the top characters
*Engage your audience
*Remember this is for kids, try to practice in front
of one
*Do not go to fast make sure that you are going
slow enough for us to understand
*Remember to use your body to bring your
storytelling to life
* HAVE FUN WITH THIS BE CREATIVE

Storytelling Planning
1) You need to find storytelling that is 4-5 minutes long and has fun characters and opportunities for
movement. A good idea is that the storytelling has a moral to it. Write down the title and author here
________________________________________________________________________
2) Why have you chosen this selections , what about this storytelling is compelling to you? (Should be a
paragraph)
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3) What is the moral of this story? Why should children be exposed to it.
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4) How does this challenge me as a performer? (Should be a paragraph)
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5) Now write your introduction: Remember that you need to make this storytelling relevant with this.
Why should society listen to this, what message are you trying to send with this storytelling.

Storytelling Blocking and Movement

1. How much movement can you take and not get winded? How will you make sure that you do
not push your body to far?
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2. What are you good at in terms of movement (preciseness, tumbling, pantomiming, dance,
making your body look like different people, ect.) How will you use it in your story?
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3. What are you going to do to bring this story to life with your body? Remember all movements
should be over the top for storytelling.
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4. What different environments do you have in your storytelling? How will you display them?
a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________
5. Think of three ways you can use your chair, besides making it a chair. How will you use it draw it
in the boxes.

On the back there are three stage maps, one for the beginning section of your story, one for the
middle section, one for the end section. Write the line that provides the shift to this new map above it
on the line. *Do not forget to fill out the sheet that has lines for each map on it. Draw a star where you
being in each section. You draw a line to where you move and write the corresponding number on that
line (You will get this from the line sheet). On the line sheet write the first few words of the line you
move on and what your body looks like when you are moving on this line. If you need to create a code
for the way your body looks you can. (st-standing up, ect.)

First Stage map. Line:___________________________________________________________________

Second Stage map. Line:_________________________________________________________________

Third Stage map. Line:__________________________________________________________________

Blocking Line Sheet

Beginning stage map:
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39.
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38. ___________________________

Middle stage map:

Ending Stage map:

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Storytelling Character Analysis

*These questions should be answered for each character in your story (exclusion of question 1 and 2)
Number of Characters in story (including narrator): __________________
1) Who is the main speaker in the storytelling, tell me about them?
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2) Who is this story being told to?
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3) How are all of these characters connected to one another? What is their relationship like?
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4) How will you show these characters bodies so they look different/ How will you change your voice
Bodies
Voice
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5) Give each character a very specific character trait (this could be a voice thing, gesture, body) Why did
you make that choice.
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6) How do these characters move? What causes them to move that way?
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7) Why are each of these characters in the story?
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8) Show each of your characters with at least 2 lines to a classmate Have them answer the following
questions? Who watched: __________________________
Was each character different Yes or No
Were they engaging characters that kids would enjoy? Yes or No
What is some constructive feedback you can give them?
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Draw each of your characters in the box. You should show how they would stand.

Storytelling Rehearsal
1. Was there introduction engaging and creative ? Did it make you want to hear the story?
Creative/ Engaging Yes No
Did you want to hear the story Yes No
2. How was their blocking for the story. Where they using their entire body the entire time?
Did they use their chair? Did you know the environment? Did it seem planned?
Entire Body
1 2 3 4 5 What can they do to improve it?
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Use of Chair
1 2 3 4 5 What can they do to improve it?
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Environment
1 2 3 4 5 What can they do to improve it?
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Planned movement
1 2 3 4 5 What can they do to improve it?
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3. Did They have well developed characters with voice and body, where they consistant?
# of Characters_________
Character 1:
Yes No
How to Fix?_________________________________
Character 2:
Yes No
How to Fix? _________________________________
Character 3:
Yes No
How to Fix? _________________________________
Character 4:
Yes No
How to Fix? _________________________________
Character 5:
Yes No
How to Fix? _________________________________
4. Over all did the storytelling keep your attention? Would it have kept the attention of a kid?
Yes No
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5. How well memorized was their storytelling?
1 2 3 4 5
6.

What are some specific notes for improvement would you give them?
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