On Monday 7th October Steve Bell and Sallie Harkness welcomed this year’s group of fifty students from Oslo University College accompanied by staff members Marit Storhaug and Jon Amundsen
The Storyline presentation was held in the Pearce Institute in Govan where the Norwegians enjoy excellent facilities as well as learning something about the history of the area.
As the students will qualify as teachers of grades 5 -10 the choice of Storyline examples was designed to meet the needs of working with pupils aged 10 – 15.
Steve Bell opened the session with a brief presentation on the Storyline approach then invited the students to form groups and to design a family in which each one took on the role of a family character. Immediately the atmosphere changed to one of activity and there was a good deal of laughter. Soon the families were told that they had won a two week holiday visiting three European capital cities.
The next activity was for each group to create a map of Europe and to explain their choice of capitals.
In this way the Norwegians were introduced to a variety of Storyline practices. This prepared the way for Steve to complete his session with evidence from school pupils’ experience of ‘Capital Tours’ and to lead a discussion of Storyline principles.
After a coffee break in the Pearce Café Sallie gave a short presentation on planning book-based Storylines during which she suggested criteria for choosing a suitable book; dividing it into episodes; planning key questions and related activities; designing a culminating event and carrying out a review.
On her return to Norway Marit Storhaug sent Steve and Sallie the following message:
“The students were so happy with the storyline session. I must say I admire both of you keeping up the same spirit engaging the students as you have done for so many years. Next year we would like to have the same program with you – if you can.”