Interactions and Activities
STORIES
Purpose: Stories have always been a medium to connect human hearts and mind. They hold in them all kinds of emotions that can resonate at times like these when we need to hold on to something positive. We imagine that virtual engagement and some of the opening weeks in the school can have an element of storytelling and listening. These stories can be on any theme. Preparation: Storyweaver can be accessed on the mobile for reading the stories. The platform has stories in multiple languages and can be accessed accordingly. It would be ideal to have a small storytelling in the morning assembly. Facilitator can try storytelling or work with a teacher or student to lead it. Alternatively, a story club can also be formed or audio stories can also be played. In case of virtual engagement a storytelling day can be planned on the calendar. Story chosen can be short as per the time available, relatable for the audience, varied in themes (stem, gender, humor, hope), easy language, less dependence on illustrations. For listening purpose level 3 or level 4 stories may be best. Process: There is no one process here and this can be done as it works out however the following tips for storytelling may help anyone who wants to do the telling:
1. Read the story before presenting. 2. Practice to present – where to do voice modulation, where to stop to ask questions and what– mark these points in your head. A practice beforehand helps! 3. At the time of presenting – loud and clear voice, some intonation and expressions adds to the telling, let audience appreciate and no need of questions in the end.
TIP: Village elders, teachers, parents can also be invited to share a folk story of the region or a folk song can also be sung together. Some recommendations from storyweaver: Tara finds her stars https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/1219-tara-finds-her-stars Kalpana's Cycle https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/11283-kalpana-s-cycle Chuskit goes to school https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/21-chuskit-goes-to-school Only fools go to school https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/106261-only-fools-go-to-school The story of Wangari Mathai https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/13814-a-tiny-seed-the-story-of-wangari-maathai Same-same or different https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/10963-same-same-or-different
Other apps/websites with stories and storytelling demos as well as stories: Books pdf in Hindi, English and Marathi + multiple games, videos http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/ Many links for many books by Tulika Publishers https://www.tulikabooks.com/info/e-tulika Audio books in Hindi younger children https://www.eklavya.in/books/audio-books
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TALK TIME
Purpose: In all likeliness, as the schools reopen, everyone would rush to catch-up with their work, studies and everyday life. Our conversations shall also get centered around our daily chores, our work and whatever it will be at the top of our mind. Talk time shall allow us to shed those and speak about ourselves for a while. This can include teachers, children, head-master and even parents. Preparation: It would be ideal to have a small talk-time in the morning assembly. Would be good to put out a poster in the school about it. In virtual engagement this would need prompts, triggers and a level of comfort in the group. The Talk-time themes or questions can be designed. Some sample questions are provided here: