The World of Storytelling

Storytelling is a universal activity, and even predates written history. Find out about storytelling around the world, and connect with others through telling stories.

CONNECT:

• Watch this introduction to storytelling: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar/storytelling/we-are-all-storytellers/v/storytelling-introb
•  Storytelling has been an important part of India for thousands of years: see some of their diverse traditions: https://penguin.co.in/thepenguindigest/storytelling-traditions-of-india-and-its-importance/
•  Chinese shadow puppetry is over 2000 years old. Learn about their history at https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/shadow-puppetry.htm
•  Griots are West African storytellers. Hear them in action at https://greenglobaltravel.com/west-african-griot/

CREATE:

•  Watch Japanese kamishibai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6URceEr_zc), and then make your own storycard drama by following these directions: http://www.sjsu.edu/education/docs/mcc/Everybody_Clapx.pdf
• Be a hula girl by dancing along this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpN1MQXxr5c
• Make your own shadow puppets following these directions: http://www.planet-science.com/categories/under-11s/our-world/2012/04/make-your-own-shadow-puppets.aspx

CARE:

• Learn the art of storytelling at https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/the-art-of-storytelling/. 
• Here’s how to change the world with the kindness of storytelling: https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/blog/how-to-change-the-world-with-the-kindness-of-storytelling
• Make a digital story about your community; these middle schoolers tell how to produce it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5usc00wa40
• To record your story, here are some kid-friendly digital storytelling apps: https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2018/05/12-great-digital-storytelling-apps-for.html

CAREERS:

Do you like making up stories? It can pay off – as a career. Whether you write, draw, film, sing, dance or just talk, storytelling is a valuable and profitable skill. Just ask teachers, librarians, politicians, lawyers and Disney.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-career-paths-for-people-who-love-telling-stories

https://idealistcareers.org/jobs-roundup-jobs-in-storytelling/

https://ccskills.org.uk/careers/advice/article/a-career-in-storytelling

YOU’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING

The word “puppet” comes from the Greek, and means “drawn by strings.”   Puppets come in many sizes and shapes, and have been around for centuries. Make the world of puppetry come alive with these activities.

CONNECT:

• Puppets came alive in this adult marionette comic theater. Take a virtual tour of this Turnabout Theatre: http://dbase1.lapl.org/turnabout/
• Virtually visit the puppet museum in Holland: http://www.poppenspelmuseum.nl/index2.html
• Punch is considered the traditional puppet of England, but variations on Punch are found around the world: http://www.punchandjudy.com/patw.htm
• Ever see puppets walk on water? They do on Vietnam’s Red River. Watch a performance at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxIff980XyM
• Three people for one puppet? Read about Bunraku: Japan's professional puppet theater. http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat20/sub131/item713.html#chapter-4

CREATE:

• Make your own puppet; here’s more than two dozen ideas: https://craftsbyamanda.com/kids-puppets/
• You can make a puppet out of almost anything: Watch how to make shadow puppets with your hands at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz8wP2RYy64
• And here’s how to make Indonesian shadow puppets: http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2011/01/wayang-kulit-indonesian-shadow-puppets.html
• Try your hand at making a marionette, and see how a professional marionette is created: https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Marionette
• Act out these puppet play scripts (https://www.dramanotebook.com/plays-for-kids/puppet-plays-2/) – and make up your own.

CARE:

• Celebrate World Day of Puppetry! It occurs March 21, the first day of spring, but you can celebrate every day at https://www.puppeteers.org/discover-puppetry/world-day-of-puppetry
• Watch how puppets can be an effective play therapy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3EMiXzGymg
• Find out how socks become service puppets that help children speak: http://studentprograms.operationsmile.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sock-Puppet.pdf
•  Put on a show for friends by creating a shadow puppet theater; follow the directions at http://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/make-a-shadow-puppet-theatre/news-story/d9ed634b2e68caea28c52c263771a400

CAREERS:

Want the world on a string? Try a career connected with puppets: puppet designer, puppeteer, playwright, children’s party planner, therapist, as well as the digital world of puppets.

• Here’s how a professional takes care of puppets: http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/25/entertainment/ca-working25
•  Watch an interview with a Cirque du Soleil puppeteer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHGUV8nMpYg
•  Get behind the scenes of the Muppets at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZW8T7WKG0Y