An Introduction to Storyline

Yvonne McBlainSupport Teacher – Effective Learning

and Teaching

12th September 2013

Format :

• Brief presentation – to introduce theory

• Practical experience of storyline – wee taster

• Use to highlight other ideas and show

how storyline blends with other elements of effective learning and teaching

What will this course do? LI

Extend your range of active teaching & learning approaches

Develop your ability to contextualise discrete & interdisciplinary learning

Offer a way to structure pupil-led learning

Our Success Criteria?• Increased knowledge of the theory and practice

of Storyline methodology

• Understanding of how and when Storyline might increase the impact of teaching on pupils

• Developed skills in planning & delivering curriculum content within a narrative context

What is Storyline?• Uses a story to frame context-based teaching

• A framework for interdisciplinary learning

• Partnership between teacher/pupil – teacher controls the line

• Pupil ownership of elements ensures their engagement

Brief History• 1960s new educational research/reports

recommended more integration within the curriculum.

• Introduction of Environmental Studies and Aesthetic Subjects.

• 1967 In-service Tutor Team formed at Jordanhill College of Education investigate/ experiment with Topic Studies as a form of integration.

• Storyline evolved from topic studies & grew in popularity over next two decades .

STORYLINE SCOTLAND

Sallie Harkness

Steve Bell – Educational Consultant

www.storyline-scotland.com

“A strategy for teaching in an enterprising and creative way”

THE EPISODES

1) The Setting

2) The Characters

3) An Initiating Event

4) Incidents

5) Culminating Event

6) A Review Process

STORYLINE PLANNING FORMAT

The StorylineEpisodes

Key Questions Pupil Activity Class Organisation

Resources Required

Outcome

1. The Setting

2. The Characters

3.Initiating Event

4. Incidents

5. Culminating Event

6. Review

Key Questions are vital• Are phrased in language suitable for learners

• Contain the required learning

• Allow the learners to demonstrate their existing level of knowledge

• Allow the teacher to control the learning or “line” contained within the story

• Lead to activities which develop skills and/or knowledge & understanding

• Can come from pupils too of course!

Let’s Have a Go!

Creating our setting

• Form groups – what’s best for you?

• Ice-breaker – share existing experience of storyline if any AND/OR personal aims for tonight – add to smart board please

Planning Effective Learning

• EXA 4-02a I have continued to experiment with a range of media and technologies, handling them with control and assurance to create images and objects. I can apply my understanding of the properties of media and of techniques to specific tasks.

Formative Assessment• LI – To develop & extend collage skills in order to

create a house for our setting• Product SC – Your house will resemble a typical

Falkirk house (how much does this help pupils?)

• Process SC – › select materials with “correct” colours, textures and

patterns› Cutting of shapes will be sharp & precise› Windows and doors will be arranged to resemble

homes you have seen around Falkirk

Creation of setting - discussion

• Learner engagement levels – what did you notice?

• Collaborative vs co-operative learning?

• Display is vital to ongoing storyline

• Creativity/Expressive arts powerful tools

Creating our characters• Your task is to create the family who live in

your house

• LIT 4-31a Having explored and experimented with the narrative structures which writers use to create texts in different genres, I can:

use the conventions of my chosen genre; create an appropriate mood or atmosphere, and/or create convincing relationships, actions &

dialogue for my characters

Formative assessment• LI – To collaboratively create a effective

characterisation of a “typical” family group

• Process SC:Use drawing to convey aspects of character

visuallyUse written biography to provide other relevant

information about the familyUse a clear & concise verbal presentation to

share/introduce your family effectivelySocial skill – reaching agreement & consensus

Creating characters – let’s reflect

• What did you notice about the process?

• Creativity & the affective domain

• Principles of curriculum design –

personalisation & choice, challenge &

engagement

• Potential for integration of active literacy?

• Potential for use of responsive planning

Other beginnings, other ways...• New Neighbours characters are one family per

group

• Can also have one character for whole class

• OR one character per group

• Setting first or characters first?

• Creating setting from other sources – real or imagined? Walk in local area, estate agents/newspapers, atlas or photographs

One character for all?

One Character per group?

Creative combinations

Our Success Criteria?• Increased knowledge of the theory and practice

of Storyline methodology

• Understanding of how and when Storyline might increase the impact of teaching on pupils

• Developed skills in planning & delivering curriculum content within a narrative context

Next session• Rest of storyline structure?

• Maybe bit less fun! (less practical)

• Bring your reflections and ideas so far please!