Oral language plays a critical role in learning about self, culture and tradition.

Storytelling has the power to create connections between humans, animals, and the land, to pass on traditions, entertain and affirm identity…Many cultures use oral traditions to recite poetry, chants and to connect through song. For the identities of all children to be fully seen and honored in early grades, there is an essential role for story and oral history.” - Oregon Early Literacy Framework, pg. 22

Step 1: Watch

Think about the role of stories and storytelling in your classroom. Take this opportunity to learn a bit more. The first video is about indigenous storytelling in Northwest Oregon and the second is about using storytelling as a literacy strategy with students.

As you watch, think about how and why you value storytelling. Consider ideas for purposefully incorporating storytelling.

Video 1
Video 2

We Know Where We Come From: Creation Story

(5:37 min, CC) - Audio Described Transcript

A creation story from the indigenous people from the Lower Columbia River Region in Northwest Oregon.

(Lewisandclarknhp, 2011)

Building Literacy Skills by Sparking Imagination

(3:37 min, CC) - Audio Described Transcript

Using storytelling as a literacy strategy with students.

(Edutopia, 2023)

Step 2: Explore

Are you ready to try out a storytelling practice in your classroom? Here is a collection of lesson ideas to support storytelling. They are designed to incorporate many Oral Language routines and practices that engage students to explore culture and identity, develop vocabulary, comprehension, sequencing and narrative language skills that transfer to literacy.

Select a lesson idea to support storytelling in your classroom.

Idea 1
Idea 2
Idea 3
Idea 4
Idea 5

Using Picture Books to Support Storytelling

The following learning activity uses picture books to build storytelling and literacy skills in students. The goals include creating original narrative stories, practicing storytelling techniques like description, sequencing and dialogue and demonstrating oral language to describe plot, characters and details.

PDF - Using Picture Books to Build Storytelling and Literacy Skills

The Story of Your Name

This learning activity is designed to help students share and explore the importance of names, embrace differences in the classroom community and understand that calling someone by their preferred name is a way to show respect. It includes interactive read-alouds with books about names as a spark for discussion.

PDF - The Story of Your Name

Story Circle

The Story Circle learning activity provides a plan to build an original narrative story through oral improvisation, practicing skills like creative thinking and descriptive details and demonstrating active listening skills. The Story Circle aims to enhance listening comprehension, storytelling techniques and oral language expression in a collaborative format.

PDF - Story Circle

I am Every Good Thing

"I Am Every Good Thing" is a book by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James. It is about self-love and the power of affirmations, with a Black narrator who celebrates his talents, intelligence, humor, love and curiosity. This resource provides ideas for enjoying the book at home, creative expression, practicing mindfulness and self-awareness through deep breathing exercises and positive self-talk.

PDF (external link) - I Am Every Good Thing (Barnes, 2021)

Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Curriculum

In 2017, Oregon Legislature enacted Senate Bill 13, which directs Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes, to create Native American K-12 curriculum for Oregon public Schools. Explore lessons and curriculum on this page.

Website - Tribal Curriculum (Oregon Department of Education, n.d.)

Try It Out!

Take a moment to reflect on how and when you might use or adapt the lesson idea you selected for use in your classroom.