It is generally believed that we humans were using language over 100,000 years ago; of course, there is no way of knowing for sure, but we could assume with some degree of certainty that not long after we started using language, we were telling stories.
Storytelling is a uniquely human activity that in no short order is responsible for the survival and success of our species. We think in story. Our values are communicated through story. We remember with stories. Our history is told in story. And indeed, we learn through storytelling.
During a Transition B class where students were learning K- and U-sound vocabulary (koala, keys, kiwi, king, kitten, umbrella, sun, up, bus, run, uncle, and cut) we partook in the time-honored tradition of learning through story.
It went like this: students were told a spontaneous story – an adventure of sorts – which featured many of the vocabulary words, they were asked questions designed to encourage the usage of these words and, more broadly, their listening and speaking skills; finally, they created an illustration to recount their favorite moment from the story. It was truly an engaging and interactive learning experience.
Here is our story:
Kitten, Koala, and the Big Trip
One sunny day, Kitten saw that her friend Koala looked very sad.
“What’s the matter, Koala?” asked Kitten.
“I miss my home,” said Koala. “We are in Colombia, but my family is in Australia.”
Kitten had an idea.
“I have a bus!” she said. “And I have the keys! Let’s go to Australia together!”
They got on the bus and started to drive.
They drove and drove all the way to the coast, where the land ends and the water begins.
But oh no! Australia is a big island, and you can’t drive a bus over the ocean!
Kitten had something special—an umbrella!
She turned the umbrella upside down and said, “Let’s use this like a boat!”
Koala jumped in. Kitten jumped in too.
They used the keys like a paddle and began to float across the sea.
They floated for a long, long time.
“I think we are lost,” said Koala.
Just then, they saw a turtle swimming near their umbrella boat.
“Hello, Turtle,” said Kitten. “Do you know the way to Australia?”
“I don’t know,” said Turtle. “But my uncle might know!”
Turtle dove down into the water and came back with Uncle Turtle.
But Uncle Turtle looked uncomfortable. A piece of plastic was wrapped around his flipper.
“Don’t worry!” said Kitten. “I have scissors!”
She cut the plastic off Uncle’s flipper.
“Thank you,” said Uncle Turtle. “To get to Australia, keep going up.”
Kitten and Koala looked up. All they saw was the sun.
“No, no,” said Uncle Turtle. “I mean go straight!”
So they paddled straight. After some time, they saw land. It was Australia!
People were dancing and playing music.
“The king is visiting!” someone said.
Kitten saw the king and asked, “Excuse me, Your Majesty, do you know where Koala’s family is?”
The king smiled and pointed to a big tree.
Koala began to run toward the tree.
“Come on!” he shouted to Kitten.
There, in the tree, was Koala’s family!
Koala was home.
But now, Kitten had to go back to Colombia.
Koala gave her a big hug. “Thank you, my friend,” he said.
And Kitten smiled, ready for her next big adventure.
If you are interested in learning more about early language or storytelling, follow the links for related readings:
