Being a great storyteller takes skill and practice! Native storytellers didn't just say words — they PERFORMED. They changed their voices for each character, used their hands and faces, paused at exciting moments, and sometimes added songs and drum beats.
Storytellers also had memory tricks. Some nations used wampum belts — designs made of shell beads — to help remember important stories and agreements. Others used pictures painted on hides.
Today it's YOUR turn to join the oral tradition. You will learn a story, remember it with pictures, and perform it for your family — no book allowed, just like a true storyteller!
1. How did storytellers make stories exciting?
2. What were wampum belts used for?
Step 1: Choose a story you know well — a family story, a folk tale, or a trickster tale you make up.
Step 2: Draw the story in the four boxes below — beginning, problem, trick or surprise, ending. These pictures are your 'memory belt.'
Step 3: Practice telling it OUT LOUD using only your pictures. Use different voices! Add gestures!
Step 4: Perform it for your family tonight — no reading allowed!
Draw your story in four scenes: 1) beginning, 2) problem, 3) trick or surprise, 4) ending.
1. How did your performance go? What did your audience like best?
2. Did your memory pictures help you remember? How?
3. What would you do differently next time?
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
| I did it! | Circle one |
|---|---|
| I made memory pictures for my story | YES / NOT YET |
| I practiced with voices and gestures | YES / NOT YET |
| I performed without reading | YES / NOT YET |