On the QT: The Power of Story

 

Attachment: A Success Story
April 13, 2010

 

Did you know? Stories engage. Stories resonate. Stories teach. And stories motivate. Stories are how we communicate and connect with others in the most meaningful and memorable way. Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, writes that in a world where facts are available at lightning speed, the ability to place facts in context and deliver them with emotional impact is one of the six essential skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Today's activity uses story to introduce students to some of the qualities and traits it takes to land a job and build a career. Rather than telling students what to do or how to act to be successful, Morris Reid shares his journey from his college campus in Akron, Oh io to the White House in Washington DC. See how Reid's compelling narrative engages your students as it delivers an important message via a story.

 

Try This:

• Ask some questions.
  What's your favorite story?
  Why do you think we like to hear stories?
  How do you think stories help us learn?
• Distribute A Success Story activity. Explain that they are going to view a short 7-minute video clip and then answer a few questions.
• View Morris Reid's story and complete the questionnaire.
• Discuss students' responses focusing on Reid's positive traits and qualities as well as his ability to deliver his story.
• Assign the online lesson, Go On the Road for a Good Story, to introduce your students to the elements of a good story.

Add an Experience: To help your students learn more about the elements in a good story, ask them to seek out and listen to stories. Have them find a workplace story, a family story, and a story they hear from a friend. Ask them to come to class prepared to discuss the stories they heard and what they learned from each one. Finally, give students a few minutes to move around the class and tell one of their stories to several other students.

 

Quik Quote: There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories. Ursula K. LeGuin, American Author