Lesson video

Hello there! I'm Mrs. Howley, this is Cedric, and we're really pleased to be here learning with you today.

Oh, Cedric said he's really excited because today, you get to be the storytellers of your own stories! How awesome is that? Before we get started, I've got a joke for you.

Cedric loves my jokes.

Don't you, Cedric? Yep, he absolutely loves my jokes, he thinks I'm hilarious.

Don't you, Cedric? Anyway, here it goes.

Why do snails have such shiny shells? Because they use snail varnish! I know, it's great.

Let's get ready for our learning today.

In today's lesson, we're going to tell a created story from memory.

We're going to map the story, to help us do this, we're going to step the story, and then we're going to speak the story.

So, we're going to use the Storytelling Schools method of HMSS- hear, map, step, speak- with our own stories.

You will need a piece of paper or an exercise book, a pencil or a pen, and your brilliant brain.

Pause the video now to collect those things.

You might have created a plot matrix in the previous lesson for your created story.

If you've got that handy, great, if you haven't, don't worry.

We built up that plot matrix to really think about the key elements of our created stories.

In my story, there's a snail who's really grumpy.

He doesn't want to go to this garden party that's happening.

A bird swoops down to attack him, but Butterfly rescues him, and then it's a happy ending with a garden party, and we learn that it's good to help other people.

Throughout this unit, we're going to be building up our writer's toolkit to create mood, a mood that moves the audience to feel what we want them to feel.

When we're telling the story, like today, or when we're writing the story, later in the unit.

We're going to map our stories now, because it's a great way of learning the story so we can tell it from memory.

First of all when I map my story, I'm going to draw my.

Squiggly line, which I'm going to use to map out the journey of my story.

So, at the start of my story, I think we're going to meet my main character, the grumpy snail.

And we might start to learn why he's grumpy.

He's ever-so-lonely because he can't share his home with anyone.

Now, next I think I'll introduce the idea of the garden party.

Butterfly getting ready for it.

And then, we want to think about the different characters asking snail to go to the party.

So, first of all, the butterfly asks him to go to the party, and he says no, I don't like parties.

And, next, the worm asks him to go to the party, and he says no, I won't go to the party.

And then the fly.

Hmm, I'm not very good at drawing flies, but remember, it doesn't matter.

It's just for me, the map, so that I know what's going on.

But he says no to the fly, and then that's when our danger is introduced, and a big bird with a sharp beak comes down ready to eat Snail! Oh, no! And then, he's protected by Butterfly.

Hmm, I wonder if Butterfly will be enough.

I'm thinking maybe Butterfly might have to get some of their butterfly friends.

She has an idea, yes! And then, she creates a cloud of butterflies.

That's a much better idea.

That scares the bird away.

And then the snail feels much happier, makes friends with the butterfly, and then, what's going to happen next in my story? Oh, she explains to him about the garden being a home for everybody.

And then, of course, you've got the big celebration! It's the garden party at the end of the story.

Pause the video now and have a go at creating a map of your own for your story.

I'm now going to have a go at stepping my story.

It's a great way of getting to remember the important parts of the story.

You might have stepped a story before.

Don't worry if you haven't.

You have to imagine that there's stepping stones across a river.

Each step you take takes you to a key part of the story.

Now, remember, I'm creating this story, so, things might change.

Okay, my first step.

They're having a party! Snail is grumpy.

Butterfly tries to persuade him to come.

No! Worm tries to persuade him to come.

No! The fly tries to persuade him to come.

No! A big bird comes down! Butterfly chases it away! Butterfly and Snail becomes friends.

They have a party! Have a go now at stepping your story.

Oh.

That's a really good tip, Cedric.

Cedric said you can use your map to help you if you get stuck.

That's what I did! Pause the video now and have a go.

Now we're ready to speak our story.

And even though we're telling it from memory, we can use our map, we can use our actions, to help us tell it.

That's what I'm going to do! Okay, I'm going to have a go at telling my story, now.

I'm going to wear my magical hat, because I think storytelling is a rather magical thing.

Once upon a time, there was a snail.

He lived in a garden, an ordinary garden, and he was a very grumpy snail.

Today, he was particularly grumpy, because everybody else was busy getting ready for a garden party.

Butterfly was very excited about the garden party.

"I've got so much to do," she said.

But Snail didn't like parties.

He was ever so sad, because everybody else got to go home to their friends and family, but he had to carry his home on his back.

But Butterfly really wanted him to come to the party.

Now, Cedric, what happens next? Check my map! Good idea, Cedric, let's see.

Butterfly asked the snail if he would come to the party.

"Oh, no," said Snail.

"I don't like parties." Who tried then, Cedric? Oh, I'll remember my stepping! Worm, that's right! Then, the worm invited the snail to the party.

"Would you like to come to the party?" he said to Snail.

"Oh, no, I don't like parties," said Snail.

Who asked then? Check my map? Okay! The fly.

"Would you like to come to the party?" "Oh, no, I don't like parties," said Snail.

Oh, dear.

Everyone was ever so disappointed.

They wanted everyone to join in.

Butterfly was busy high in the sky when she spotted a big black bird! And it was coming straight for Snail! It's sharp beak open, ready to eat him up! "Oh no, oh no," thought Butterfly.

"What can I do?" Cedric, remember, I've changed this bit of the story.

Butterfly gathered all of her butterfly friends.

And they made the most beautiful cloud! The bird couldn't see where he was going.

And it flew away! The whole time this was happening, Snail was watching.

He couldn't believe somebody had been so kind for him.

"Oh, Butterfly! What can I do for you?" Butterfly asked one simple thing.

"Please Snail, tell me why you won't come to the party." "That's simple.

I don't like parties, because at the end of the party, everybody else gets to go home to their friends, and I have to stay on my own with my home on my back!" "Oh, Snail," said Butterfly.

"Didn't you realise? The garden is everybody's home! We're you're friends, and we'll help you out anytime!" For the first time ever, a big smile appeared on Snail's face.

It was time for the party! They had the most fantastic time! There was balloons, dancing, music! And from that day on, Snail never felt lonely again.

Thanks for your help, Cedric.

I really needed it.

It can be tricky remembering the story the first time.

Now, it's your turn.

You get to tell your story.

Could you spot the moods I was trying to create when I told the story? Try and create some moods when you tell your story, and remember, you can use your map, you can use your actions to help you along the way.

Pause the video now and have a go.

Cedric, we've done so much learning, I'm going to give us another British weather cheer, are you ready? Join in! Brr-illiant! I wonder if you could practise telling your story to somebody at home using your map.

Maybe you could even teach them how to step it out.

Maybe you could take turns in telling it! We've had a great lesson today, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Bye!.