beginnerswork
teach your children well
- The prequisite activity is for the teacher to tell the same story in front of the story board three for four times over as many days. No cards - just one picture posted behind but not referred to.
- The story I begin with is a brief and simplified version of Silkii - A Mermaid's Tale. I wrote Silkii because children loved this story every time I told it. I usually stop at the point where the mermaid and the butterfly play together all summer. It can be told very dramatically using lots of movement. You can use any simple story to tell orally, the more suspensful the better!
- Pretend to forget your story. They will tell it to you. Be grateful.
- On the third day ask them how you can remember the story. Someone will usually say you can draw pictures. They have noticed the posted picture...
- You say "what a great idea!" And right there, on the spot, you draw 5 story cards. Let them tell you the story while you draw. Here is a link to help you draw a mermaid. For more drawing help see DRAW! in the beginners BOOKS section. Practice first and don't worry... children read drawings easily. They will be impressed!
- Then have them come up and take a turn telling your story from the cards. They love this! Not only did they solve your memory problem, but they have been empowered to amuse and entertain their peers!
Learn to draw pictures for the story you choose with DRAW!
These are my "spontaneous" drawings for Silkii.
Silkii- A Mermaids Tale is longer and includes the butterfly's life cycle.
