Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

A major consideration for those working in early childhood contexts is to provide children with rich experiences of 'storying'. Opportunities should be provided for children to respond to stories developed and told by adults and peers, and to create and tell stories for themselves. These two dimensions support young children in the development, application and appreciation of language, while also developing and extending their ability to select and order events and impressions. Through storytelling the teacher is able to stimulate, engage and extend young children's imaginations, providing opportunities for the development of a range of literacies. To facilitate these experiences, as a teacher you require a sound knowledge of children's literature and an understanding of a range of storytelling techniques. You also need to understand of the processes required to develop storytelling skills in young children.

Aims

This unit provides you with a solid theoretical and practical understanding of the importance of storytelling in the lives of young children. You will build the skills required as a teacher to become an effective storyteller, while developing your ability to plan extensions that take the early years learner beyond the story and into a whole range of literacy rich experiences.

Objectives

Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Articulate an understanding of the importance of storytelling in the lives of young children. [QCT Standards 2 & 6]

2. Demonstrate a mastery of specific storytelling techniques and an ability to apply a range of innovative and relevant teaching strategies to develop the child as storyteller. [QCT Standards 1 & 3]

3. Plan storytelling experiences for and by children which cater for their diverse needs and interests. [QCT Standards 4 & 8]

4. Demonstrate acceptable standards of communication and professional responsibility. [QCT Standards 8 & 10]

Content

The Teacher as Storyteller

You will consider the value of telling stories to young children and extend your their own aesthetic appreciation of written and spoken language. Current language theories, research, and curriculum documents will provide a basis for studying development of storytelling programs in classrooms. Associated topics include cultural inclusiveness and diversity and community engagement. You will also focus on the skills of storytelling and will extend your knowledge and appreciation of the key concepts and elements inherent in the development of high quality programs for young children.

The Child as Storyteller

You will explore and practise a range of strategies that can effectively be applied to developing children's storytelling skills. These will include use of a range of art forms, including media, with digital technologies also being used to support the development of children's storytelling skills.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Your individual participation is essential. You will be required to attend weekly workshops covering the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit. You will be active participants in the workshops, developing your understanding of the skills and processes required for effective storytelling.

Assessment

Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Formative feedback will be provided by teaching staff and peers based on your work during workshops. School visits are a part of this assessment, and it is strongly recommended that you apply for a Blue Card on enrolling in this elective, to avoid any difficulties with these visits. There are three items of summative assessment in this unit:

Assessment name: Creative Work
Description: You will create a picture book suitable for presentation to children in the early childhood years. (1500 words or equivalent)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: Assessment Item 2
You will present your picture book.
(10-15 minutes).
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: You will participate in a school-based storytelling project, create a portfolio based on this work and reflect on the process. (Equivalent of 1500 words)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End-Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts

Gleeson, L. (2003). Making Picture Books. Frenches Forest: Scholastic Press


References

Brand, S. & Donato, J. (2001). Storytelling in emergent literacy - Fostering multiple intelligences. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishing.

Collins, R. & Cooper, P. (1997). The Power of story: Teaching through storytelling (2nd ed). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Mallan, K. (1991). Children as storytellers. Sydney: Primary English Teaching Association.

Mallan, K. (1990). Telling tales: A source book of storytelling ideas. Brisbane: Queensland University of Technology.

Smyth, J. (2005). Storytelling with young children. Watson, ACT: Early Childhood Australia.

O'Toole, J. and Dunn, J. (2002). Pretending to learn. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education.

Philp-Paterson, M. (1990). Children as storytellers. An overview of the literature. Brisbane P-12 Language Education Centre.

Winer, Y. (2005). Stories for telling. Castle Hill: Pademelon Press.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with the conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 29-Oct-2012