Teaching Aids

Aaron Shepherd's Storytelling Page

Links to Aaron's stories to retell, a simply worded "Tell a Story" e-guide for students or teachers, and other storytelling resources. Go to Aaron's Indexes for dozen's of stories and reader's theatre scripts arranged by title, age, geography, ethnicity, etc.

The Academy Curriculum Exchange

Links to scores of language arts and social studies lesson plans that integrate storytelling and writing, such as:

“Stories That Grow on Trees” (gr. 4-8). Students use a flowchart to create a plot-choice story with seven different endings.
“Once Upon a Time...” (gr. 4-8). Students listen to the middle part of a fairy tale, and then write their own beginning and ending to the story.
“The Little Red House” (gr. K-1). By listening to and retelling "The Little Red House," students develop auditory, visual, language, and motor skills.
“Story Starters” (all grades). As an introduction to storytelling, students use a box of odds and ends as props to tell stories.

Learning through Storytelling: Educator's Guide

Comprehensive storytelling site for educators. Click "Teaching Storytelling" to access eight lessons plans that will help you lead students from a storytelling warm-up activity to individual performances.

Literary Terms

Alphabetical index of terms linked to explanations with copious examples. Samples: alliteration, imagery, onomatopoeia, rhyme, and rhythm; setting, characterization, and plot. Great reference for students in gr. 7-12.

Story Arts

Wonderful resource: “Storytelling in the Classroom,” “Lesson Plans and Activities,” “Curriculum Ideas and Exchange,” and “Story Library,” plus articles, links, and storytelling store.

Story Map

Printable graphic organizer for story development or retelling.