National Storytelling Week Resources

Pupils can learn a great deal from the power of stories, from enhancing their imaginations to exploring new ideas and theories.

National Storytelling Week originated in 2000, created by The Society for Storytelling as a means of reminding people of all ages how stories can inspire and educate.

In 2021, it will be marked from 30^th January to 6^th February, and there are numerous ways that primary and secondary school teachers can incorporate storytelling into their lesson plans.

The art of storytelling has existed for thousands of years, as ancient civilizations would entertain and teach each other through tales.

Today, introducing stories in the classroom can help to promote creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, and teachers have no shortage of resources available to help.

Classroom and virtual activities

For those keen to focus on the basics of language, pupils could be encouraged to let their imaginations run wild by creating a short story based on something they have an interest in.

This could then be shared during a virtual classroom or distributed to other pupils so they can explore the ideas and concepts themselves.

Another option is to have regular sessions which discuss favourite books and recommendations – great for pupils who are uncertain of what they would like to read.

It’s also worth considering if stories exist via other platforms too, such as exploring those included in video games, films and popular TV shows.

From building confidence in reading and speaking to driving creative thinking, storytelling can have a far-reaching impact on a child’s education.

Resources for National Storytelling Week

A wide range of digital resources is available for primary school teachers and those wishing to include activities around storytelling in their lessons. Here’s a sample of some of the best out there:

Society for Storytelling

Designed to aid pupils of all ages, The Society for Storytelling has a set of inspirational resources and guidance that look into the differences between reading and storytelling.

Alongside story games and activities, there’s also advice for teachers around how best to approach the topic and in-depth direction on how pupils can deconstruct stories to understand their structure and themes.

Twinkl

Another vast resource for those looking to mark National Storytelling Week, Twinkl has a set of generic ideas, as well as specific activities for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

From word cards to inspire primary pupils to specifically tailored lesson plans for older pupils, there’s plenty of options for teachers wanting to showcase the wonders of storytelling.

Primary Teaching

If you’re on the hunt for some inspirational lesson ideas, Primary Teaching covers National Storytelling Week too.

Here, teachers can look into ways of introducing historical fiction or autobiographies to their class, alongside stimulating ways of sharing stories and bringing them to life through art, drama and other activities.

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