Dublin Literacy Conference 2010

On Saturday I spent the day at the Dublin Coffman High School in Ohio. It’s a yearly trip I have been making for more than 10 years. There, at the Dublin Literacy Conference, I get a sense of what teachers and librarians are concerned and excited about, and I get to recharge my inspiration-batteries by listening to the brilliant and creative authors and illustrators who present. It’s always a day well-spent.

This year I found inspiration in an unexpected place—a breakout session that dealt with teaching children storytelling techniques. Third grade teacher, Becky Carta gives her students stories to tell. (Actually, they choose from a large pool of stories; they don’t write their own.) They make visual “outlines”—storyboards of their story. They are encouraged to tell their story in their own words. Then they are taught to use physical gestures (body language) for emphasis, and a dramatic voice in telling it. They practice, practice, practice, telling their story to an increasingly larger group.

The results? What I noticed most was the expressive dialog the children were able to come up with. It was impressive, and I found myself imagining how great it would be if students could harness this kind of dialog to put it down in their own writing.

So my thanks to Becky Carta from Deer Run Elementary school, and the third grade students who came to help her present. It was a learning experience for many of us. Hats off to you!