Object-Based Storytelling

This storytelling activity uses small, commonly found objects to trigger stories and get creative language use integrating the objects spontaneously.

Preparation

Collect approximately as many small objects as you have students in your class and place them in a box or a bag. Items such as a toy car, doll, game pieces, spoon, comb, ring, button, bobby pin, piece of candy, bell, eraser, etc., will work well.

Procedure When to Use It

• To have students use language freely and creatively • To have students collaborate on a writing or speaking product

Level

Skills

1. For the first time, model the activity by choosing five objects from the box of objects (e.g., a car, a spoon, a doll, a banana, a mon- Practice key). Then tell the learners an impromptu story, which might go like this: “A long time ago, a doll was walking along a road carry- Materials ing a spoon and a banana. A fast car passed by. She was scared. She Small objects, paperdropped the banana and spoon and ran into the trees. When she came back, she saw the monkey eating the banana with the spoon. She Preparation Time laughed at the monkey and took him home.” A story this simple will None, if objects are already collected give the students confidence that they can tell a story, too. 2. Divide learners into groups of three to five. Activity Time 3. Distribute four or five objects to each group (or have them reach 20–30 minutes in the bag to select). 4. Have each group make up a story that includes all of their objects. 5. After the groups create stories, have each group tell its story to another group or to the whole class.

Variations

1. Have learners collect small objects to donate to the class over time. They do not need to know what they will be used for, but when there are enough and it is appropriate, use the activity. 2. Have each learner write down a noun on a small piece of paper. Collect the pieces of paper, mix them up, and use them for the activity instead of objects. 3. Have groups tell their story without using the name of the object, but they need to weave the description of the object into the story. The other students guess what the four or five objects are in the story. 4. Give students a theme or location under which their story should take place so it is not so wide open.