Before we get started - I would like to reiterate that the Story Pot method is not mine - it was designed by an Early Years Educator in Dublin and an overview of the original format of the method can be found here via the Aistear-Síolta Support Materials. I highly recommend taking a moment to listen to Nessa explaining how it is facilitated in a preschool / aftercare context.
Utilising 'The Story Pot' method to suit a Primary context (Stages 1 - 2)
A method like this, can of course be used 'as is' however, coming from the persepctive of teaching with the outcomes of the Primary Language Curriculum in mind, a method like the Story Pot can act as a meaningful, playful and engaging springboard to teaching many key literacy skills; such as listening skills, oral narratives, narrative writing, writing for pleasure, narrative discourse, conventions of language, sentence structure & grammar, vocabulary development, language comprehension, knowledge development, sequencing, description and justification - to name a few!
Sample format to suit stages 1 - 2 at primary to develop oral and written narrative skills
Introduce with Story Pot rhyme
Download a copy of the rhyme here:
2. Create a shared Oral Narrative
Invite the children to add to the story pot. You can do it on the board. I have a little cauldron and post-its and add a drawing / word of each contribution and add to the cauldron each time. That way, the order of the shared narrative is spontaneous, keeping the playfulness heightened.
Extension opportunities:
Shared writing
Digital story making
Playful story making (creative play / constructions / small world)
3. Complete an individual Story Pot and Oral Narrative
Children receive their own Story Pot template. I always provided an A3 copy for the younger children, plenty of room for drawing and any efforts emergent writing / spelling.
Download a copy of the Story Pot template here:
Once complete, children take turns sharing their narrative with a partner.
4. Extending the learning
For me, the Story Pot was a natural entry point into Narrative Writing. The children would use their story pot items to create their oral narrative followed by a simple written narrative.
Additional options include:
Creating a story map
Creating a comic strip
Digital story making (use of toys and tablets to create short movies or virtual story books about their stories)
Puppet shows (acting out their stories using self-designed stick puppets)
If you find this post useful, be sure to circulate and share with colleagues.
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Clara Fiorentini, 2024.