Book review: Stories in the classroom

Stories in the Classroom by Bob Barton & David Booth
Australian edition: Rigby Heinemann
Canadian edition: Pembroke Publishers
US edition: Heinemann Educational

I believe I know how to turn kids off TV. It’s easy. Just make them do a comprehension exercise after every program they watch.

I applaud teachers who use a literature based approach to literacy. However, the danger is that follow up activities could turn kids off. Literature should be enjoyed for its own sake, the way we enjoy TV. That doesn’t mean there are not many teaching opportunities with literature. This book shows how.

Stories in the Classroom discusses the power of story, why children need stories, why children need to story, modes of responding, story drama, writing our own stories and celebrating stories and authors.

The authors have worked with stories in the classroom for many years as teachers, consultants, storytellers and authors.

© copyright John Shield 2003. First appeared on the John Shield storytelling site.