Storybags ‹ Back to Programmes

General aims of these sessions:

Improve parental confidence and interest in books by making a storybag Identify what makes a good book and choose books for their children Practise using voice control to introduce drama and emotion into storytelling Learn about opportunities to extend talk and vocabulary through sharing stories Make a storybag with props and game for a chosen storybook

Topic Content
1. Sharing booksThe importance of sharing books with very young children. Recognising early print concepts. Developing narrative skills.
2. Choosing the bookChoosing a picture storybook for making a storybag. Identifying criteria for selection, e.g., age group and interest of children. Reading the selected books and using who, what, when, where, why to identify main characters, props that would help tell the story. Brainstorming where to gather additional materials for storybags.
3. Different types of storiesExploring characteristics of factual and fictional books for children, e.g., story settings, types of characters. Choosing a factual book to complement the picture storybook.
4. Story plotExamining storylines. Identifying plot of story and narrative techniques used to tell the story. Exploring how narrative skills are required in primary school, e.g., show and tell, relating events, composition, reports.
5. Making a gameIdentifying what children learn from playing games. Examining samples of games to match stories and identifying the learning in each. Gathering materials for making games. Making an age-appropriate game.
6. Making the storybagLooking at sample Storybags. Sketching plan for book title and illustrations. Working on making bag using appropriate paints, markers, etc.
7. Completing the storybagCompleting the Storybag by writing title, checking contents, props, games, etc. Demonstration of bags to group.

Websites

http://www.storysack.com/sacks/show/66
http://www.uk.sagepub.com/upm-data/9851_039749.pdf


Topic 1: Sharing books

Materials:

Various samples of homemade storybags
Samples of homemade props
Flipchart paper
Wide selection of picture and factual books

Task Suggested Activities
Introduction to storybags Display a sample storybag. Read and discuss the storybook. Use the props and play the game. Read the factual book. Discuss how factual book and storybook are related.
Why do children enjoy books? Discuss a good book. Record ideas on flipchart, e.g., colours, artwork, predictable writing, rhymes, appealing character. Discuss bonding opportunities in parent-child interaction around books
Reading and talking about books Explore early print concepts essential for reading preparation. Use a book to demonstrate what children learn about books just by being read to, e.g. that print goes left to right, how to hold book, turn pages, top and bottom of page, etc. Invite parents to suggest reasons why children often want a ‘favourite story’ repeated many times. Discuss strategies to extend sharing books, e.g., prediction, giving an opinion, summarising, recalling events, explaining cause and effect, sequencing, relate to real life.
Choosing a book From a selection of books ask parents to choose a few that would appeal to their children’s interests. Ask them to read over the stories and look for examples of storytelling techniques used in children’s stories, e.g., use of stock characters/phrases, use of repeated actions/phrases, exaggeration, contrast, time sequence, problem solving, etc. How do these techniques help make the story memorable?
Talking about and making up stories Discuss narrative skills and children’s language development. Encourage parents to make up stories from memory or retell favourite children’s stories using concepts that aid narrative memory.

Literacy Links:

Reading familiar words, Recognising keywords, Reading short texts, Understanding print concepts, Scanning/skimming texts, Using narrative skills, Expressing fact, feeling, opinion, Recalling events/retelling stories, following instructions.

Numeracy Links:

Using directional language
Reading numbers Ordering and sequencing story details
Relating past, present and future
Using maths concepts in a board game (e.g., turn-taking, throwing dice)

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