Lesson Plan | Teachy's Iteractive Lesson Plan | Sharing Personal Connections to Stories

Objectives

Duration: 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to establish a foundation for learners to connect their personal life experiences with the narratives they read. This connection not only helps students engage more deeply with the text but also encourages them to express their thoughts clearly and constructively, fostering a classroom environment where sharing perspectives is valued. By relating personal experiences to stories, learners develop empathy and a greater understanding of diverse viewpoints.

Main Objectives:

1. Learners will articulate personal connections to stories by identifying and discussing their own experiences that relate to the characters or events in a narrative.

2. Students will enhance their critical thinking skills by providing reasons for their personal connections and discussing the impact of these connections on their understanding of the story.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Students will practice respectful communication when sharing personal stories and listening to their peers.
2. Learners will use digital tools, such as a shared online padlet or presentation slides, to visually represent their personal connections.

Introduction

Duration: 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage in the lesson plan is to establish a lively and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging students to start thinking about their own experiences in relation to stories. By using their devices to find interesting facts, learners will not only engage with technology but also with the topic of storytelling in a fun way. The key questions aim to stimulate thoughtful discussion, allowing students to reflect on personal connections and lay the groundwork for deeper exploration of the subject throughout the lesson.

Warming Up

To kick off the lesson about sharing personal connections to stories, the teacher will engage students with a fun digital activity. Each learner will be asked to grab their phone (or any device available) and search for an interesting fact related to storytelling or personal narratives. This can include quirky anecdotes about how stories influence our lives, famous quotes about storytelling, or even statistics about how many people enjoy sharing their personal tales. Students will then share their findings with the class, sparking enthusiasm and curiosity about the topic ahead.

Initial Thoughts

1. How do you think sharing personal experiences can change the way we understand a story?

2. Can you think of a time when a character's experience reminded you of something in your own life?

3. Why do you believe stories are such a powerful tool for connecting with others?

4. In what ways do our own backgrounds and histories influence the stories we tell?

5. How might modern storytelling mediums, like social media, change the way we connect with stories?

Development

Duration: 75 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to engage students actively in exploring personal connections to stories through technology. By using innovative methods such as digital storytelling, emojis, and vlogging, students will creatively articulate their experiences related to narratives. This fosters collaboration, enhances critical thinking, and promotes digital literacy skills while allowing for the sharing of diverse perspectives within a supportive classroom environment.

Activity Suggestions

Activity Recommendations

Activity 1 - As Histórias da Minha Vida (The Stories of My Life)

> Duration: 70 minutes

- Goal: To enhance the understanding of narratives by creating personal connections and visualizing them through digital storytelling, fostering creativity and teamwork.

- Activity Description: In this activity, students will create a digital storytelling project using a tool like Canva or Google Slides. They will select a personal story that connects to a character or event from a story they have read and visually illustrate their narrative through images, text, and captions. Students will work in groups to collaborate on their storytelling and will have the opportunity to present their creations to the class, sharing both their personal experiences and their analytical connections to the story.

- Instructions:

• 1. Divide the class into groups of 4-5 students.
• 2. Each group will choose one story or character they studied and discuss personal experiences related to it for approximately 10 minutes.
• 3. Using computers or tablets, each group will select images and create slides that visually represent their chosen story and its personal connections.
• 4. Groups must include at least 3 personal anecdotes along with analysis on how these experiences relate to the character or story.
• 5. Allow 30 minutes for groups to work on their digital storytelling presentation.
• 6. Each group will present their project to the class for 5 minutes, explaining their connection between personal stories and the narrative.

Activity 2 - Contando com Emojis (Telling with Emojis)

> Duration: 60 minutes

- Goal: To explore the impact of visual elements on storytelling and to engage students in creative digital expression while fostering a connection between personal experiences and narratives.

- Activity Description: In this fun and innovative activity, students will use emojis to narrate a personal experience that relates to a story they’ve read. Groups will select an emoji generator app and create a storyboard with various emojis that represent their story. They will then use the emojis to share their experiences with the class. After sharing, the class will discuss the potential impact of visual storytelling and how emojis can change the interpretation of narratives.

- Instructions:

• 1. Form groups of 4-5 students.
• 2. Each group will recall their selected story and discuss personal experiences associated with it for about 10 minutes.
• 3. Using an emoji generator app or website, groups will select emojis that represent their personal story, creating a visual storyboard.
• 4. Groups will take turns presenting their emoji story to the class, providing context and connections to the story read.
• 5. After each presentation, the class will discuss how emojis influence their understanding of the narrative.

Activity 3 - Vlogando Histórias (Vlogging Stories)

> Duration: 70 minutes

- Goal: To engage students in modern storytelling methods through video creation while fostering connections between their experiences and literature.

- Activity Description: In this dynamic activity, students will create a short vlog (video log) where they will narrate a personal story that relates to a character or event from the story they studied. They’ll use their phones or tablets to film their story, incorporating creative elements such as background music and props. After filming, students will upload their vlogs to a shared class platform for a screening session where they can watch and discuss each other's stories, deepening their understanding of narratives.

- Instructions:

• 1. Organize students into groups of 4-5.
• 2. Groups will brainstorm personal experiences that connect to a story they’ve read, allowing for 15 minutes of discussion.
• 3. Each group will script their vlog, outlining how their personal story correlates with the chosen narrative.
• 4. Students will use their devices to film their vlogs, making sure to keep it within 1-2 minutes.
• 5. After filming, each group will upload their vlog to a specified online class platform (e.g., Google Classroom).
• 6. Allow 20 minutes for class to view and discuss the vlogs, focusing on the connections to the characters/events from the stories.

Feedback

Duration: 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to encourage students to synthesise their learning experiences by discussing and reflecting on their activities. Through group discussion, learners will articulate how personal connections deepened their narrative understanding while peer feedback fosters a culture of collaborative improvement. This reflective practice not only solidifies the learning but also enhances students' critical thinking and emotional intelligence by valuing diverse perspectives.

Group Discussion

Now that each group has shared their personal storytelling projects, let's gather together for a group discussion. Reflect on the activities and what you learned about sharing personal connections to stories. How do these connections enhance our understanding of the narratives we read? What stood out to you about the different ways your classmates expressed their experiences?

Reflections

1. How did sharing your personal story help you understand the character or event in the narrative better? 2. What was the most surprising thing you learned from a peer's story and how it connected to the text? 3. In what ways do you think our personal backgrounds shape the stories we relate to?

360º Feedback

As we close our session, let’s take a moment for some 360° feedback. Each group member will give constructive feedback to one another, focusing on what they appreciated about their contributions and how they enhanced the overall project. Remember to be respectful and thoughtful in your feedback, as it's essential to create a supportive environment for sharing personal stories.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 minutes

The purpose of this conclusion stage is to encapsulate the learning journey of the students and reflect on the significance of personal connections in storytelling. By summarising the key points and linking them to the modern world, learners are encouraged to appreciate the value of their experiences and the narratives they create. This reflection fortifies their understanding and promotes the application of these concepts in their everyday lives, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and personal expression.

Summary

🎉 Storytime Showdown Recap! 🎉 Today, we dove into the wonderful world of storytelling by forging personal connections with characters and events from our favourite books! We explored our experiences through digital storytelling, emojis, and even vlogs, becoming true story masters! Each group showcased their creativity and shared how their lives intertwined with the tales we read. From laughs to learning, we discovered that every story has a piece of 'us' in it! 🌍💬

World

In today's fast-paced digital world, storytelling is more relevant than ever! With social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, people share snippets of their lives, creating a new form of narrative that connects us in ways we never imagined. Stories now transcend traditional boundaries, allowing us to engage with diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives—all with just a click! This lesson revealed how our personal stories contribute to the global narrative, enhancing empathy and understanding in our interconnected world.

Applications

Understanding how to connect personal experiences to stories is vital in our daily lives. These connections aid in communication, allowing us to relate better to others' experiences and viewpoints. In various contexts, be it at school, work, or in social circles, telling one's story with personal relevance fosters stronger relationships and builds community. This skill not only enriches conversations but also encourages the sharing of diverse perspectives that are essential in today's multicultural society.