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Greensheet
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GREENSHEET
Textbooks | Course Requirements | Assignments and Grading
Course Description
In libraries, storytelling has played a key role in children’s services for the last 110 years, carrying on the oral tradition that provided social entertainment and subtle moral teachings in earlier ages. Storytelling programs in libraries create the desire to read more stories and lead young readers to the riches of folklore and literature.
The cultural importance of traditional storytellers around the world and throughout history has been well documented. Current reading research has established oral fluency as being intimately connected to success in reading and writing, making storytelling an excellent tool for leading children to literature and creating the desire to read. This course is designed to give participants the opportunity to develop the skill for sharing stories with young people of all ages in the library context. Students will encounter a wide variety of stories from many different cultures, learn to identify resources for finding stories, develop skills in telling stories with ease and enthusiasm, and learn to identify the qualities that make stories age-appropriate. Participants will be encouraged to develop their own personal style of storytelling through class exercises and examples of professional storytellers. We will also discuss ways to develop and advertise storytelling programs in the school or public library.
Course Objectives
- Create a rationale for story programs in the public or school library.
- Identify sources for stories: Oral tradition (folk tales, fables, myths, legends), literary tales, oral history, and picture book stories.
- Assess appropriate age levels for stories within the context of library programming.
- Tell 3 stories in class during the course of the week we meet.
- Create a personal repertoire of stories to tell.
- Learn how to coordinate programs of stories, songs, & activities.
This course supports the following SLIS Objectives:
- Preparing students to function effectively in libraries, information centers, schools, and other relevant institutions.
- Preparing students to contribute to the work of the library and information professions.
- Learning to participate in or contribute to the activities of professional organizations, community outreach projects, and library programs.
- Fostering involvement in professional and community associations and activities.
Textbooks
Required Text
Margaret Read MacDonald, The Storyteller’s Start-Up Book. August House, 1993. This text will provide many how-to tips and step-by-step procedures for learning stories.
Recommended Reading
Ruth Sawyer, The Way of the Storyteller. Penguin, 1977, (c1942).
*Note: This text is an inspirational reading, with excellent background on storytelling as an art form. Before class begins read the chapters entitled: “Storytelling - A Folk Art” and “The Power of Creative Imagination.” You are strongly urged to read the entire book, but do read at least these two chapters.
Further recommended readings will be included in the syllabus.
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Course Requirements
- Learn and tell three stories in class – a fable, a picture book, and a folk tale of your choice. *Note: These stories should be chosen from the resources listed in the syllabus. Check with the instructor if you want to substitute other titles.
- Write three short papers: on fables, on folktales, on story program planning.
- Participate in class discussions, small group sharing, and exercises.
- Keep a storytelling journal of stories you want to learn in the future, reactions to stories told by classmates, reactions to reading, ideas for planning programs.
Blackboard (Syllabus will be available on Blackboard by May 1, 2005)
Check Blackboard for the course syllabus and pre-class discussion forum. This course requires some advance reading and advance preparation which is discussed in the syllabus. Through the discussion forum you can choose stories that you want to present to the class during the week that we meet.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.
Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San Jose since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.
The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
A statement on plagiarism
All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers as specified in class. The San Jose State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced.
Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf
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Assignments and Grading
Student storytelling will be judged on effort, preparation and enthusiasm. You are not expected to be a polished performer.
| Presenting a picture book |
20% |
| Telling a fable |
20% |
| Paper on fables |
10% |
| Telling a folk tale |
20% |
| Paper on folktales |
10% |
| Paper on Story Programming |
20% |
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