The Storybox is seen as an effective tool in meeting the aims of the Curriculum. It is a simple and effective way to explore stories. Fun activities stimulate storymaking, storytelling, talking and listening skills as well as creativity.
In our pilot project surveys teachers saw the potential to make links to almost every area of the curriculum, in particular, English Language, Art & Design, Drama, Information and Communications Technology, Music, People and Place, People in Society, People in the Past and Religious & Moral Education. However, the obvious link is to the English Language Curriculum, which aims to develop the child’s command of the English language for communication, thinking and feeling.
Storyboxes have been designed by a former teacher to support the Listening and Talking elements of the curriculum especially. However, because of the nature of the Storybox activities the criteria of the Key Skills in a number of subject areas are automatically met. Activities will help children in Citizenship, Philosophical Skills as well as in Personal and Social Development. The activities can of course lead to written storymaking activities, drama and role-play. Storyboxes are such fun they have an appeal beyond the classroom and can be used by librarians and others involved in caring for children.
The Storytelling Centre is the lead national development organisation promoting oral storytelling. The Centre has many years experience running Storytelling in Education projects and initiatives in partnership with local authorities. It utilises a resource of over 100 accredited storytellers who work regularly in Special Education, nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, libraries, and other professional and community contexts.
The Centre also provides excellent Continuing Professional Development opportunities for teachers, librarians, nursery nurses and others wishing to use storytelling to support their activities and enhance their skills. CPD and training events are tailored to suit the specific needs of individual groups.
"The Storytelling Centre is thrilled to be working in partnership/association with Active Learning Resources Ltd. to bring Storyboxes to life. The boxes they have produced are exciting and dynamic. They’re full of the most colourful, creative and best quality objects and toys which really animate the Core Resource Material and will capture the imaginations of the teachers and children who are lucky enough to get their hands on them."
Following the success of the Storymakers Project which ran between 2002 and 2004, The Centre looked for new ways to encourage children to get involved in storytelling.
Storyboxes seemed to be the next logical step and Judy Paterson was asked to use her experience as a storyteller, children's author and, most importantly, former teacher to design the Storyboxes – with teachers in mind. The Storyboxes enable teachers to use storytelling in a proactive, imaginative and fun way, appealing to children and yet devised to meet the key outcomes of the curriculum.
The development of the themed Storyboxes was followed by pilot studies in a number of schools during late 2005 and early 2006. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and schools wanted boxes on a long-term basis. Since then, two primary schools have piloted the storyboxes, each for a full term, with some amazing outcomes.
In all surveys after pilot studies there was overwhelmingly positive feedback and teachers recognised that use of the Storyboxes furthered aims and outcomes across the curriculum. In particular, most recently, the Storybox has been seen as an effective approach in achieving the aims of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Storybox CPD (Scotland only) -We strongly recommend that you book a CPD training event for relevant staff. All training is provided by the Scottish Storytelling Centre's highly experienced team of professional storytellers who have been selected to provide training in the use of Storyboxes. Training events can be scheduled to take place in your own venue at any time of the year. For more information and to discuss Storybox CPD opportunities, individual needs and costs, please contact Joanna Bremner Smith, Education and Training Officer, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Tel: 0131 556 9579 or email: joanna@scottishstorytellingcentre.com.
Joanna Bremner Smith,
Education & Training Officer, Scottish Storytelling Centre
Visit:- www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk