For Immediate Release Contact: Maryann Maslan
(510) 444.4755 x112
February 8, 2007 E-mail:
maryann@stagebridge.org
PHOTOS & DVD AVAILABLE
Study Finds At-Risk Students Improve Language Arts Skills
with Storytelling
“Language development and performing arts are essential elements to the
curriculum taught at the elementary school level,” said Rose Woo, teacher,
The Storybridge Program was
developed in 1993 by Stagebridge, the oldest senior
theater company in the nation. The program uses storytelling as a tool for
improving students’ language arts skills and bringing elders and youth
together.
Stagebridge recently completed a
three-year implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Arts in
Education Model Development & Dissemination Program. The results of a
two-year independent evaluation of the program by 3D Group – Data Driven
Decisions, Inc. were released in 2007.
The 3D Group evaluation concluded that “Storybridge
students significantly outperformed control students in three areas of
listening comprehension.” After participating in the program, students were
able to recall more elements of a story when retelling it, understood the
structure of a story and could recall richer details, the report stated.
“It’s something that children will remember for the rest of
their lives,” said Deitra Atkins, principal,
The “Storytelling Residencies” took place in 12 classrooms
of at-risk fourth and fifth graders at five Oakland Elementary Schools. The
program began with senior storytellers in the classroom weekly for six weeks
mentoring students and modeling storytelling. This was followed by an eight
week residency with a professional teller who taught students the principles of
storytelling. The program culminated by having each of the students write,
practice and perform their own story in front of classmates, teachers, family
and guests. Selected students performed their stories at Barnes & Noble
Booksellers, on KPFA-FM and the cable TV program “Wee Poets.”
“The contact between the seniors and the children through
the art of storytelling has been a wonderful experience for our children. They
develop a sense of oral history and learn to enjoy this art form,” said Cheryl
Garrett, former principal of
Teachers attended a two-day summer institute plus regular
workshops conducted by Stagebridge staff as part of
the program. Sessions included developing awareness and understanding of
storytelling techniques in the classroom. Teachers received a 50-page
curriculum guide that related storytelling to grade level language arts and
social studies as defined by the State of
“I learned the value of telling a good story,” said John
Miller, teacher at
Also significant to teachers and administrators was the
connection the program made between the skills taught, classroom activities,
homework assignments and the curriculum used by the school district (Open Court
Reading Program) and the State Achievement Standards for
“The results are remarkable,” said Jeanne Haynes, 65, resident storyteller. “Students who are shy of public speaking become confident and articulate and gain a skill that will serve the next generation.”
Stagebridge currently runs the Storybridge Program in 13 partner elementary schools in
Founded by Stuart Kandell, Ph.
The company has performed over 30 original plays and musical revues for more than 250,000 people in schools, libraries, community centers, retirement facilities and conferences throughout the Bay Area and the nation. Stagebridge has been featured on ABC-TV, CNN, National Public Radio, and in Modern Maturity and the national Storytelling magazine and has been recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative programs.
To view a short QuickTime movie of the storytelling program and to read the complete description and “Evaluation of the Storybridge Program 2004-2006” by the 3D Group, visit www.stagebridge.org
PHOTOS & DVD OF THE PROGRAM ARE AVAILABLE