A3

Outline template for Story sharing plans

 

Choice of thread:

-What is the thread of interest you identified? 

They love to read books before nap at lunch time. And those girls are always talking about princess and Disney movies. This is my first activity with them, I’m trying to find something caught their eye.

-Why did you choose this thread (rather than another)? 

Because this is something I can ask them to come around me and read the book together.

-For the thread you chose, provide a few examples from your documentation from assignment #1 that will support your choice.

I mapped everyone in the class before nap time and some of them are always reading books. All of their books are with pictures, but they still can’t read the words.

 

Choice of story:

-what is the story (title, author, illustrator if it is a book)

Disney story

-why did you choose this story?

Because this is a Disney story collection book that combined some of the Disney stories. I have seen them reading that book everyday before nap time with different people. I want to start with something they are familiar with but it’s new to me, so they can share their thoughts with me.

Choice of presentation:

-what day and time of the day will this occur?

Oct 5, 2023 morning play time after breakfast.

-where at the practicum site will this take place (inside, outside, in a particular identified area)?

Carpet play area in the classroom.

-how many children will be present?

4

-are there any safety issues to be aware of?

Not for this one.

- how will you plan to either accommodate or keep limits on the number of children participating at one time? 

For this time, I will try to keep the limits in a small group of children, I’m afraid that I can’t control them if they get too excited.

-what method of story sharing did you choose to use? 

I will read the book and they can tell me what they know about the story too.

-why did you choose this method over another?

This is the first time I’m reading story to children, rather than doing something I’m not familiar with, I can read.

 

Presentation:

-what invitation will you use to catch the children’s curiosity and interest to participate? 

I asked them who likes Disney and who have been to Disney land before.

-how will the children be participating (sitting, standing, both, in a structured formation or not, where will you be in relation to the children’s arrangement)

They were sitting around me and look at the books.

-how will the story sharing begin? Be thoughtful and creative.

Children and I talked about characters from Disney and then we talked about ocean, and I lead the conversation to Disney characters in the ocean.

-how will the children be actively interacting with the story as it unfolds?

They were helping me flip the page and after I read the page, they will point all the characters to me and tell me who they are, they will also let me know what happen next.

-how do you plan to gather observation notes as this unfolds?

I timed it when we read the book together, I want to compare in the future if I’m using other method for story telling.

- how will the story sharing come to a gentle close?

It ends with a experience sharing with Disney trip.

- will the children transition to another space/experience – if so, how will you initiate that transition?

Yes, tik tok time, for them to clean up everything and time for circle.

 

Collaborative discussion:

-what key feedback did the Mentor offer you on this plan

 My mentor was telling me while reading the book, I can put more energy and more emotion in it, and sometimes change the voice just be more active instead of just reading.

Assessment/evaluation after plan was implemented:

-identify what was successful and what was bumpy

It was successful that I found those who love to read the book and they were happy to share a lot with me, and the method of sharing the story is really not fun from my side.

-how would you change the bumpy bits if you offered this again?

I will put way more emotions and more body movement while I’m telling a story next time, or just present in an other way.

-how did you feel?

I felt nervous and quite bad that I didn’t present it good.

-how did this experience support relationship building?

Sharing thoughts and experiences, instead of me telling story to children, it’s more like children are telling me stories, it builds the relationship between us as we have more interesting topic to talk about.

### Explanation of Decision-Making Process

Choosing the initial thread of interest, which revolved around reading books before naptime and focusing on princess and Disney movies, was primarily guided by observing the girls' repeated and enthusiastic engagement with these topics. Noticing their consistent interest and discussions about Disney tales suggested a ripe opportunity for fostering connection through a shared story experience. The children’s existing familiarity and evident excitement about Disney stories provided a solid foundation to build upon. The everyday observation of them engaging with Disney-themed books, even without being able to read the words, hinted at a robust enthusiasm and a space where they felt comfortable and interested. Furthermore, opting for a thread that already had their attention seemed like a strategic way to ensure participation and interaction in my first activity with them.

Reflection

### Reflection and Key Learnings

Embarking on this assignment illuminated several key takeaways and learnings for me.

**1. Navigating through the Known and the Novel:**

Using a familiar Disney storybook served as an effective bridge between what the children knew and were passionate about and my new participation in their storytelling time. This familiarity seemed to facilitate a smooth entry point and helped in maintaining their interest and engagement throughout.

**2. Active Participation and Interaction:**

Engaging the children not just as passive listeners, but active participants in the storytelling (helping flip pages, discussing characters, etc.) was pivotal. It transformed the dynamic from a unilateral presentation to a bilateral exchange, enriching the shared experience.

**3. Emotional Engagement:**

The mentor’s feedback about infusing more energy and emotional expression into the storytelling points towards an important aspect of connecting with young listeners. Emotive storytelling can make the experience more immersive and memorable for children, potentially fostering a deeper connection.

**4. Relationship Building through Shared Experiences:**

The collaborative storytelling approach, where children also shared their knowledge and experiences with me, seemed to be an elemental step towards building relationships. By valuing and affirming their contributions, a reciprocal respect and rapport could begin to develop.

**5. Future Modifications:**

Considering the aspects that were less than smooth, such as my own emotional expression and nervousness, it becomes evident that finding a balance between planning and spontaneous interaction is crucial. Future implementations would benefit from an even more interactive and expressive storytelling style, possibly integrating various expressive mediums, and leaning into the shared joy of the experience.

**6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation:**

The realization that there’s substantial room for improvement and adaptation in my approach towards storytelling and engagement with children brings forth a crucial learning curve. Being receptive to feedback, self-evaluating, and being willing to adapt and enhance my approach in future interactions will be vital.

In essence, this assignment underscored the significance of embracing what children are naturally drawn to as a medium for fostering engagement and building relationships. Attuning to their interests, creating a space for active participation, and emotionally connecting through shared stories emerged as poignant aspects of creating meaningful experiences and relationships with them. The intersection of their enthusiasm for Disney stories and my willingness to engage and explore that space with them became a vehicle for mutual sharing, learning, and connection.