Read a Million Words is an initiative supported by Bristol
City Council that aims to challenge children and young people
to read a million words in a year (either individually or
in a group), and to encourage children to read more for
pleasure. As part of the initiative, storytelling workshops
have been run in schools for parents, and at GWR FM radio
for families with children aged from one to nine.
By autumn 2006, three Saturday sessions and four school
sessions had been run, funded by Starbucks, with more sessions
planned for 2007. Both types of session were run by a professional
storyteller.
Storytelling Saturday
Families were shown what storytelling is, and were all asked
to join in. The children then drew a story wall and told
stories to their parents and carers. The final activity
was to make a story sack together to use at home. All children
received a free book, and all the families received a free
lunch and transport to the GWR FM venue in central Bristol.
An average of 25 to 30 people attended.
School Workshops
Parents (usually mums), governors, dinner ladies and teaching
assistants all attended. They were shown how easy it is
to tell a story, and put into pairs to tell stories to each
other. Prompts were provided, with toys and household objects
used as a focal point for stories. The storyteller then
showed how a story could be told using a story sack, and
parents had a go themselves. Finally, their children all
joined the session to hear a story and to start storytelling
together. Between five and 15 parents attended each workshop.
Parents have given very positive feedback, saying that
they loved the storytellers, story sacks and making things
as a family. It was the first time that any of them had
used story sacks, and all said they would continue using
them at home. They also reported being inspired to do more
storytelling at home, including making up stories rather
than reading them from books.
Some feedback from parents:
"I would love to see more of
these days, it has really helped and all the children are
loving it."
"We have learnt to be more creative."
"Learnt we can make stories up with him"
"I will do more making up of stories rather than just
reading a book."
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