There are many ways to tell a story—by reading, singing, playing music,
or with your body.
or with your body.
When I invited Calvin to come tell a story, we discussed ideas about a one-person main character story and how to involve the children. Where the Wild Things Are came to mind as an easily adaptable one-person story with low barrier/high accessibility for the children. There are very few spoken words by the characters, making it an appealing movement story. Child participation as Wild Things was favorable for several reasons—all would have the same level of participation, and movements could be easily defined and yet much would be left to the imagination.
What I did not anticipate was the level of engagement the story would bring and the desire to fill it out beyond movement. The ideas of adding “stuff” to this storytelling began early in the process. What would we wear? Should there be music? We had been telling and re-enacting many stories in our class, but this was different. They wanted more, much more, with this one. This one was special....let the wild rumpus begin!
What I did not anticipate was the level of engagement the story would bring and the desire to fill it out beyond movement. The ideas of adding “stuff” to this storytelling began early in the process. What would we wear? Should there be music? We had been telling and re-enacting many stories in our class, but this was different. They wanted more, much more, with this one. This one was special....let the wild rumpus begin!