Storytelling Activity Guide

Overview

This activity is designed to help students share personal narratives in a supportive environment. It encourages empathy, active listening, and self-expression. The guide below provides instructions and prompts to help facilitate the activity in a clear, engaging manner.

Objectives

• Help students articulate personal experiences and lessons learned
• Foster empathy and understanding among peers
• Develop communication and active listening skills

Activity Setup

1. Group Formation:

   • Divide the class into small groups of 3-5 students, or form a circle for whole-class sharing if preferred.
   • Ensure that each group has a quiet space for discussion.

2. Establish Norms:

   • Remind students of classroom guidelines for respectful listening and sharing.
   • Emphasize that every story is valuable and that everyone should be mindful of the emotional nature of personal narratives.

3. Materials:

   • Storytelling Slide Deck for visual prompts.
   • Paper and pencils for note-taking, if desired.

Activity Instructions

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Start by briefly explaining the purpose of the storytelling activity. Stress how sharing personal stories can build empathy and create bonds within the classroom.
• Outline the structure of the activity clearly so that students know what to expect.

2. Storytelling Prompts (5 minutes)

• Display the prompts from the Storytelling Slide Deck. Encourage students to consider these questions:
  • What is a moment in your life that changed you?
  • Who has inspired you and how?
  • Share an experience that taught you a valuable lesson.
• Give students a couple of minutes to think about their answers and jot down notes if needed.

3. Story Sharing (20 minutes)

• Have each student share their story with their group or the whole class, depending on your setup.
• Ensure that everyone has an opportunity to speak without interruption.
• Use the following guidelines to support discussions:
  • Active Listening: Encourage the audience to listen carefully and without judgment.
  • Encouragement: Facilitate supportive comments after each story, such as "Thank you for sharing," or
    asking gentle follow-up questions like, "How did that make you feel?"
  • Time Management: Keep track of time so that every participant gets an equal opportunity to share.

4. Group Reflection (10 minutes)

• After all stories have been shared, organize a group discussion to reflect on the activity.
• Pose reflective questions such as:
  • What common themes did you notice across the different stories?
  • How did sharing or listening to these stories make you feel?
  • What did you learn about your classmates you didn’t know before?
• Summarize the discussion and highlight the value of teaching and learning from personal experiences.

5. Closure (5 minutes)

• Recap the key points of the activity, reinforcing the importance of empathy and respectful sharing.
• Remind students that their stories are valuable and contributed to building a stronger community.
• Provide any details for follow-up assignments or further discussions in future classes.

Tips for Teachers

• Model Vulnerability: Share a brief, appropriate story of your own to set the tone.
• Monitor Emotions: Be sensitive to emotional triggers. Allow a break or provide support if any student seems overwhelmed.
• Encourage Inclusivity: Ensure each student is acknowledged, and be especially attentive to those who might be reluctant to share.
• Reiterate Respect: Continually remind students about respectful dialogue and active listening.