III. Group Task

The instructor:
  1. Readies and distributes previously duplicated copies of Box 8, the story map (Appendix E), to participants and volunteers.

  2. Directs participants and volunteers to use a story that they read at home during the previous week to practice this technique:

    a) make jot notes on a blank story map

    b) use the jot notes to aid memory while retelling

  3. Distributes blank story maps (Box 8, Appendix E).


NOTE: Volunteers may need to support and guide participants in making jot notes and retelling stories. Allow approximately 20 minutes for group work, while instructor circulates.

IV. Summarizing Concepts

At the completion of the activity, the instructor.
  1. Facilitates the group sharing of the retelling experience by asking

    a) What worked?
    b) What difficulties were encountered?
    c) What questions do you have?
    d) What adaptations did you make? etc.


  2. Reinforces the point that while in this session they made jot notes following the story map format, in the future, they will create a mental map to aid retelling.

  3. Draws the attention of participants to the benefits of using story structure DURING reading so that they notice important information.
Thinking about and taking note of the story parts during reading helps us:

a) monitor what the author is saying, and

b) remember the story better later.


V. Making Connections

The instructor:
  1. Explains that each session will begin with sharing the books read at home (Literature Circle).

  2. Distributes blank story maps (to be kept in participants' duotang folders).

  3. Suggests that participants and volunteers use the story map as a framework for: a) retelling and sharing stories at home. b) sharing at the beginning of each session in Literature Circle, and c) showing their children how to use story grammar to enhance their memory for stories.

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