Dated: Saturday, February 18, 2017
Report by Zeenat Fatima
Primary Section – English Teacher
Hira Foundation School
A storytelling event for school children was organized by Paramount Publishers on Thursday, 16th February 2017 at British Deputy High Commission Office Pakistan.
The program was initiated with the welcome speech of the Deputy British High Commission.
Speaking at the event, he said: “Storytelling and reading to children is a really important way of connecting with your children and helping them to learn to read and write. It can also open up young minds to a world of creativity, imagination and understanding.”
Participating Classes:
The event was organized for the students of classes I-III.
Participating Schools:
Many reputable schools from Karachi attended the event.
Participating Students from HFS:
Two bright students of class III Ayesha Muneer and Yahya Gohar participated from HFS.
Progression of the Event:
The event was divided into two sessions:
First Session (Activity #1): The presenter/facilitator read a story ‘The Red Knight’ by Ladybird Readers.
The presenter performed the story telling task through multimedia along with verbal reading expressions. Meanwhile thinking questions were being asked related to the story to capture learners’ attention and develop their listening and cognitive skills. Following strategies were used to perform the story telling:
• Reading Aloud (by the narrator)
• Mimicry (The action or skill of imitating someone or something, especially in order to entertain or ridicule by the narrator)
• Visual Aid (pictures of the story’s events through multimedia)
• Auditory (back ground sounds along with the pictures of the story)
First Session (Activity #2):
Cross Word Puzzle: Children had to solve a cross word puzzle related to the story ‘The Red Knight’ individually. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes were offered for that activity.
Second Session (Activity #1):
The presenter/facilitator read a story ‘Hansel and Gretel’ by Ladybird Readers.
The above mentioned method and strategies were followed by the presenter for story telling.
Second Session (Activity #2):
Drawing Task: Children had to draw a chocolate house.1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes were offered for that activity.
General Feedback:
It was an admirable attempt by Paramount Publisher to arrange such kinds of activities specially to promote reading among children.
Overall the event was entertaining and teaching the way of telling story effectively. Each moment grabbed the students’ attention and they enjoyed alot. The day ended with a delightful smile on the children’s faces as they received a gift pack and participation certificate by Ladybird.
Stories are effective educational tools because listeners become engaged and these are etched in the memory. Storytelling can be seen as a foundation for learning and teaching. Thus, providing such resources and opportunities boost up children’s eagerness towards learning. And also educate teachers to teach learners resourcefully in’sha’Allah.