This is a great way to help children with retelling a story. It builds comprehension, sequencing and it is fun! It is simple – on a long piece of bulletin board paper – draw a winding path. At the beginning of the path, draw a visual clue of the first event. I did this Storytelling Pathway in August when we were learning the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” I had the children tell me what happened first, second, etc and I drew the visual clues. After I drew the story, I let the children color it in and add any missing details. When we finished, children were given the opportunity to walk the Storytelling Pathway and retell the story to us!
On one side of the path I drew the three bowls of porridge. On the other side – the three bears.
Next I drew the table with the three bowls and a girl.
I then added the three chairs and the three beds.
To signal that the bears return, I drew the three bears and repeated the sequence of events. The last image I added was the window that Goldilocks jumped out of and ran away.
Give it a try! At this time of year, the student could draw it themselves!
Hi Sally,
This is wonderful and so creative! I am working on a post for my blog. I want to call it “Friday Fairy Tales.” In it I want to tell how and why I use fairy tales with my PreK class. I would love to have you do a guest post, and share this info and maybe some more if you like, about how you use fairy tales – if you would be willing! I already have 2 or 3 others who said they would share too, if that helps.
Please send me an a-mail if that sounds like something you would like to do. My computer is going to the fix it shop tomorrow, so if you don’t hear back from me right away, you will know why! Thanks!!! And again your blog is great!
Great idea!!! I think I will try this with my older students and have them draw and label the story path on individual/ smaller papers. Thanks for the inspiration!!
This is just awesome. My son has been having trouble retelling in his own words. I find myself coaxing and end up retelling the story myself which totally defeats the purpose:) I’m really excited to try this.
I love this too! Thank for following me on Twitter – it led me to your wonderful blog!
Hi Sally!
We just love this concept and featured it at our blog, Preschool Lesson Plans! We made certain to give proper idea/photo credit as well as a link back to your blog, but we’d love for you to take a look at it and, if there are any problems, we’ll be sure to take the feature down immediately!
Thanks so much!
Kayla Johnson
Love this. We do a unit for three weeks on fairytales. Looking forward to bringing in the Walk! Thanks
Hi Sally!!!!
I ran into your post over the summer on Pinterest and fell in love!
I recreated your idea but tweaked it for my kids’ needs.
I made sure to gave you credit though!
Check out my post
http://www.ateacherstreasure.com/2011/09/treasured-tip-of-day-stepping-into.html
? Mor ?
A Teacher’s Treasure
I’m your newest follower!
Awesome blog 🙂
I would love for you to come check mine out!
Randi @ Teach It With Class
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I did this with my kindergarten class and they loved it!
great idea!
Fabulous idea! I just pinned and Twitted it out.
Perfect for kinesthetic learners!
Absolutely fab idea for summarizing and retelling. I’m going to use this with groups of older kids and allow them to design the pathways themselves. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Hi Sally,
I just found your website. I teach preschool and absolutely love your ideas.
Thank you so much for sharing. Cannot wait to use your ideas in my classroom.
J. Lehman
Seattle, WA
So excited you found me!
I love your creativity. Always looking for interactive activities.
Can’t wait to try in my French immersion class
This is a powerhouse activity! The children love it!
Hi Sally
Loved your blog your idea story telling method is amazing Im going to use it for prophets stories just add pictures on each curve or make it as quiz
thanks hope see more
Ameena
This method is child friendly and hands on instead of digital!
I really loved it. We work with children from ages 5-10 and look for new ways to teach them English language and other academic subjects. Since we are in India and english is not a native language they do find it hard to read and comprehend.
Look forward to you sharing more ideas!