The Storypath Strategy
Supporting Research
“A clear and compelling narrative helps us find meaning, not just scattered facts and abstract ideas. Stories help us remember and make sense of our lives and the lives around us….A story is not a diversion; the best stories make our lives more understandable and focused.”
Wiggins & McTighe, Understanding by Design. p.48
The Storypath Strategy
Integrates Literacy and Content
Storypath’s authentic and engaging real world context approach to social studies develops literacy skills.
The Storypath Strategy
Reading Process
Clear instructions:
• Connect to prior knowledge
• Focus on main ideas and supporting details
• Compare and contrast
The Storypath Strategy
Reading Process
Students develop skills to:
• Distinguish fact from opinion
• Recognize biased language
• Recognize and make inferences
The Storypath Strategy
Vocabulary Is
• Used in context
• Accompanied by clear definitions
• Represented visually
• Practiced in role playing
• Reinforced repeatedly
The Storypath Strategy
Questioning Process
Key concepts and values are phrased as “problems” which students “solve”—adding depth to their understanding.
The Storypath Strategy
Writing Process
• Explicit procedures guide writing
• Students write for a variety of purposes
• Students learn and practice how to evaluate writing
The Storypath Strategy
Sequencing Engages Learners
• Creating the setting
• Creating the characters
• Building context
• Addressing critical incidents
• Designing a concluding event
The Storypath Strategy
Example: The Wampanoags
Setting: The Wampanoag families
Characters: The village
Context: The changing seasons
Critical incidents: The arrival of the PilgrimsNot enough food for feast
Concluding event: Thanksgiving feast
The Storypath Strategy
Building the Context
• Community background
• Community timeline
• Community celebrations
The Storypath StrategyCritical Incidents Heighten
Student EngagementCharacters confront problems common at the time:
Wampanoag families do not have enough food for Thanksgiving feast.
The Storypath Strategy
Concluding Events Reinforce Learning
Students plan and participate in their own activity to close the story:
Wampanoag families’ Thanksgiving feast
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