This document provides information and instructions for using storytelling techniques to engage children. It discusses how storytelling can help children develop language skills and feel in control of their environment. Various storytelling activities are described that use common materials like paper, scissors, string and origami. Step-by-step instructions for telling a string story are provided. Additional storytelling resources and questions contacts are also listed.

1. In everyday life

2. Director of the Cook Library Center
1100 Grandville Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-475-1150
Mother of 2 boys, 6th grade and 9th grade, originally from
Lansing, MI
First started telling stories in 1997 and keep broadening my
skills for school visits and for the library students

3. FLIP the SWITCH
Transitions in Time
Help children to transform their immediate
environment and exert a semblance of control
over what is happening.

4. Literacy Links
• Storytelling-based projects offer a
universal & inclusive teaching.
• They assist in the development of receptive
& expressive language skills and encourage
comprehension.
• They take from the immediate cultural &
social situations of the child

5. Finding the JOY in waiting….
Paper
Scissors
String

6. FOLD
‘n
TELL
The Rain
Hat

7. CUT ‘n
TELL
SIX

8. STRING
STORY
Witch’s
Broom
(Fishing Spear,
Parachute)

9. Step 1
Begin by putting the string over your thumb and
pinkie on both sides, but in front of your other
three fingers.

10. Step 2
Reach over with
right index finger
and pull back.

11. Step 3
Twist String on
Right Finger 1 or 2
Times

12. Step 4
Reach over with
left index finger
and grab the string
in between the
loop on your right
index finger

13. Step 5
Drop your thumb
and pinkie on right
hand

14. Environment Storytelling
• Eye Spy- great way to use adjectives
• Phone Play-Put a picture on your phone and have a
student make up a story.
• Imagine what is like to be something else… waiting
room chair, clock on the wall etc
• Rhyming game: Look around and make a story with
what you see around you and make it rhyme.

15. Storytelling Starters
 Would You Rather…
 Once upon a time retellings or fractured fairy tales
 Retell a story about the day a child was born
 Funny story about when you were young
 That’s good, that’s bad story circle
 A day in the life of a lunch bag, a magazine (empathy
exercise)
 What super hero powers would you have?
 What makes a leader? Exhibit at the Cook Library
Center

16. Additional Storytelling Resources
 http://snapguide.com/guides/tell-a-simple-string-
story/ Follow this link to learn to how to tell the
string story, “The Mosquito.”
 http://www.origamiwithrachelkatz.com/stories/storie
s.asp Origami and stories meet in this great site!
 http://meusenotes.blogspot.com/p/cut-and-tell-
stories.html Cut and tell stories that are easy!

17. Presentation Resources
 Schimmel, Nancy “Just Enough to Make a Story”: Sister’s Choice Press,
© 1982
 Kallevig, Christine Petrell “Folding Stories: Storytelling & Origami
Together as One”: Storytime Ink International, © 1991
 Holt, David & Mooney, Bill “Ready-To-Tell Tales”: August House
Publishers, © 1994
 Holbrook, Belinda “String Stories: A Creative, Hands-On Approach for
Engaging Children in Literature Linworth Publishing, © 2002
 Schatz-Blackrose, Morgan & Schatz, Roman W. “Traditional Tales and
Contemporary Art to Promote Multiple Literacies”: ©International
Association of School Librarianship Annual Conference, © 2010
 Mallett, Jerry “Fold and Cut Stories”: Alleyside Press© 1993

18. Questions?
Sue Garza
Library@gaah.org