IMAGINATIVE STORYTELLING
STORIES ARE IMPORTANT
Using stories is an important part of programming for Joey Scouts for many reasons.
· Stories can help develop or relate a theme or meaning to the Joey Scouts in an interesting and entertaining way.
· Stories help develop children’s imagination.
· Take your Joey Scouts on exciting adventures and to faraway places without leaving the hall.
· Stories are a very important part of a child’s development.
Stories for Joey Scouts should be kept to a reasonable length; remember that if a story is too long, the Joey Scouts will lose interest and becomes restless or disruptive. If you sense that this is happening, wrap the story up as quickly as you can and move on.
A short story with perhaps a few questions at the end, often works well.
Stories can come from many sources, apart from books suitable to the Joey Scout’s age; there is often a wealth of stories available from grandparents of the Joey Scouts about How things used to be!
STORYTELLING USING SOUND EFFECTS
This can be a simple and interesting way to have Joey Scout participation in stories. There are two methods you can use:
1. The first method is to have the Joey Scouts vocalising the sound effects, i.e., making a choo-choo sound every time a train is mentioned; making an animal noise every time that animal is mentioned.
2. The second method is when you use simple instruments to add to the atmosphere of the story, i.e., some rice in a small container shaken gently for rain, a pair of boots for footsteps, etc.
It can also be fun to ask the Joey Scouts if they can think of things to use as sound effects too.
THE MIME STORY
There are two methods you can use for mime in storytelling:
1. The first method is when the entire Mob acts out the events in the story, i.e., They crossed the raging river – all the Joey Scouts act out in mime crossing the river, etc.
2. The second method is where individual Joey Scouts are given set parts to portray, i.e., Daniel you be a tree, Jarred you be a bird, etc., and they act out their parts according to the story line.
It is a good idea to have another Leader to help prompt and direct the Joey Scouts.
THE SENSE STORY
This type of story is a lot of fun but does take some planning and organising. The story is told with the aid of props which will help create the atmosphere of the story. This is easier explained by example.
A SURPRISE IN THE BUSH
Props: Some paper fans, cotton balls, eucalyptus oil, a few small tree branches with leaves, a tape player, a tape of some bush birds, a tape of a waterfall, some fine spray bottles containing water.
The Joey Scouts are sat around in a circle and then blindfolded, as quickly and quietly as possible; the props should be placed in the centre of the circle for easy access. One Leader acts as narrator while several helpers handle the props.
THE STORY (The italics are the directions for use of the props)
There was a slight breeze (helpers walk in front of the Joey Scouts fanning them to simulate the breeze) when the Joeys started out on their walk to look for the surprise that Marloo had promised them. Soon the path that they were on led into some trees (helpers pass the branches gently over the Joey Scouts’ heads) and the sounds of the bush birds could be heard (play tape of bush birds) and the rich smell of eucalyptus (helpers wave cotton balls, which have a few drops of eucalyptus oil on them, around in front of the Joey Scouts) seem to surround them. There was something else in the air too, what was that sound? (tape of waterfall on low volume). The Joeys hurried on, full of excitement, as the sound grew louder (turn volume of tape up slowly) The Joeys followed a turn in the path and suddenly found themselves standing in a clearing, the noise was almost deafening now (increase volume to very loud), and there was something else – a light mist (helpers use a find spray to spray above Joeys heads) was falling but there through the mist was a beautiful waterfall. The Joeys loved their surprise and they thanks Marloo and Janalli for taking them.
This is only one example of the way to use a sense story. When creating your own story, remember to keep it short, because the Joey Scouts won'’ like to be blindfolded for too long and also because the use of the props slows the story down. Use as many props as you like, but remember to make sure your helpers know what they have to do in advance; help by given them a list of the props in the order that they will be used.
Remember all stories should have a beginning, a middle and an end. That there are soi many wonderful things to write about for Joey Scouts and that it only takes a little imagination to have a story tailor-made to your Mob and the theme that you are working with.
So don’t just read this – PICK UP THAT PENCIL AND HOP TO IT.
ON GOING STORY
Joey Scouts sit in a circle and one Joey Scout is chosen to start telling a story. On a given signal the next Joey Scout takes up the story. Continue your way around the circle until all have contributed to the story. Make sure your story has an ending to it.
STORIES IN GENERAL
Any story can be utilized for self expression, simply by getting the Joey Scouts to act it out, or giving them actions that correspond with certain words.