Storytelling is central to moving people persuasively and is a key component of the design process. It plays a role in social media, creates a buzz in advertisements, and is critical to brand success. In Jonathan Gottschall's book, The Storytelling Animal, he says, "Human minds yield helplessly to the suction of story."
Good teachers, in turn, are natural storytellers. They know how to hook students into a topic by weaving a story that captures their interest and imagination. "Story thinking"—observing, applying, and reflecting on story elements outside of literature—is not only a powerful tool that engages students but also a necessary skill for learners to master.
When students create portfolios, for example, they learn how to craft a story while building their personal brand. Eighth graders in our district have the opportunity to meet with community members to share their best work through an e-portfolio interview and showcase. Here, they present what they achieved through a traditional story arc, offering exposition through background, building interest through sharing their journey, and culminating with their greatest accomplishment and reflections.
There are many ways to apply story thinking in the classroom. Consider the following entry points:
Reframe student experiences. When students think about a particular subject, images float through their brains and emotions arise. Based on their school experiences, students may get excited about math or dread it. You can draw students into the story by reframing a subject with relevance. Differentiate based on interests, not just skills. I remember one 6th grader who excelled at art and design but continually struggled with math. As part of a group history project, he was tasked with drafting an elaborate floor design for a community building, and he spent hours calculating its area, perimeter, and cost. Part of his reflection: "For the first time, I figured out why I might want to learn more about math."
Find a hook. You know after reading the first few pages of a book if you will continue. Students know in the first few minutes of class if they will stay engaged. Referencing current trends or popular movies can help. When our 5th grade American history class studied the triangular trade routes, we became Pirates of the Caribbean, looking at lucrative shipping routes and what types of treasure to gather.
Another way to hook interest is to post a message on a whiteboard at the beginning of class that sparks curiosity. You could also pass around an object that students can interact with, become a "special guest speaker" by dressing up in costume, or create suspense by dropping clues leading up to a topic and using intriguing statements or images that evoke conversation.
Develop empathy. What sticks with you at the end of a great story? Usually you have empathized with the characters or with their journey. By fostering empathy, you can create more meaningful connections to the text.
Try observing your students from the back of the classroom and listening to the stories they tell each other. This can give you incredible insight into how they are connecting and understanding concepts. Challenge your own assumptions of what they are learning, and identify new opportunities and commonalities as they arise. See where their stories take you.
You can also cultivate empathy—and creativity—in your students by modeling great questions and giving them time to generate their own; the process in looking for the answer is as much a part of the story as the final solution. Story thinking requires students to see the many perspectives that influence a story plot. By asking questions and discovering empathy for characters, students can see opportunities for design solutions that they might have missed if limited to their own insights. Exploring empathy also lifts engagement since the learning becomes a personal journey and students have a real need to know the ending.