This is a free sample lesson from the course. It highlights storytelling,
one of the 17 aspects of language arts to teach in grades 4-8. Enjoy!

The first aspect of language arts is storytelling.

What is Storytelling?

Storytelling (storytelling curriculum) refers to Rudolf Steiner's indications for stories that the Waldorf class teachers tell students. These stories are part of moral education. They shape the students' lasting dispositions--their conscience, character, and their temperament (i.e., parts of the etheric body) (Steiner 1996b, 59-60).

In Which Block(s) is Storytelling Scheduled?

Stories from the storytelling curriculum are told to students in English blocks.

Rudolf Steiner's Indications

Rudolf Steiner gives very broad topics for each grade. The class teachers select stories for their particular group of students.

Note that Steiner did not recommend Norse Mythology in fourth grade.

How to Work with the Storytelling Curriculum

Steiner gives a few indications for how to work with the storytelling curriculum:

1. Consider what you (as teacher) want to foster in the children by telling the story.
2. You must find the material for yourself.
3. You must tell the stories in a free narrative style. Do not read the stories to the children. Avoid vocal theatrics and pantomime.
4. Be tactful. Do not stress the moral message either while telling the story or while reviewing it. Let the students discover it for themselves.
5. Call on everyone during a review of the story the next day. Be sure to call on students who do not raise their hands or who are inattentive.
   

6.Be sure to include stories that contain people you do not want students to emulate.

Curriculum Chart and Benchmarks

The curriculum chart and benchmarks summarize the academic skills teachers are to teach each year through storytelling (and what students are expected to learn by the end of each grade). The following PDF contains information from both the curriculum chart and the benchmarks. If you would prefer to use the textbook Continuing the Journey to Literacy, the curriculum charts are on pages 515-532, and the benchmarks are on pages 809-815.

How to Teach Storytelling in Grades 4-8

There are three aspects of storytelling to teach:

1. Oral Summaries (Review)
2. Factual Recall Questions (Review)
3. Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions (Review)

The following PDF introduces the topic. The same material is found in Continuing the Journey to Literacy on pages 190-194.

Sacred Nothings

There is one prominent sacred nothing associated with storytelling: Norse mythology. Rudolf Steiner never recommended Norse mythology--but Eileen Hutchins did. Read the following PDF for more information. If you would prefer to read the textbook, the same material is found in Continuing the Journey to Literacy on pages 180-182.

Conclusion

For more information, consult Continuing the Journey to Literacy chapter 3.1.