CI5083

This course examines and embodies how storytelling and creative drama can be used as tools to develop critical literacy and to assist young students in becoming more fluent readers and writers. Storytelling engages personal and cultural identities and promotes creative thinking. Critical literacy offers techniques to analyze how stories influence listeners and readers. In other words, critical literacy is the focus; theater and storytelling are the vehicles. Key topics to be covered include: 1) A historical background on fairy and folk tales, legends, fables, myths, and the different oral traditions; 2) Tools for developing a critical view of diverse tales; 3) Practical instruction on how to use storytelling and story genres in the classroom to develop critical literacy; 4) Assessing storytelling work in the classroom. Students will meet in the first week at the University to learn tools of the Speaking Out program and in the second week will practice and observe each other’s teaching with local school classrooms. We work with 4th graders, though we will also discuss how course content applies to high school students. The class meets for two intensive weeks in person, however, we additionally assign pre-readings and post-class reflections and papers.

Every Summer