Storytelling and Religious Education

Induction, RE and Formation
Target Audience:  RE Teachers 

​​Storytelling and RE will ​be offered with Christian Meditation in a one day of input and reflection.
An additional day for demonstration of learnings in schools will follow. 
Overview
​Storytelling is an integral part of any faith tradition and for Christian’s this is no exception. The oral tradition of God’s relationship with and through His people became sacred scripture, recorded and passed down through the centuries. 
In the Religious Education classroom, Storytelling is the process of engaging students with sacred scripture through wonder, awe and mystery in a manner that resonates with their innate ability to learn and make meaning through story and symbol in a meaningful environment.
The evolution of Storytelling, draws on the research and work from Maria Montessori from the early 20th century to Sofia Cavaletti’s ‘Catechesis of the Good Shepherd’ and John Berryman’s ‘Godly Play’. It also draws on the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s adaptation of these works in ‘The Good Shepherd Experience’. Storytelling in the Diocese of Lismore draws upon these and the Archdiocese of Sydney Primary Religious Education Curriculum.

Aims
The key learnings from this presentation will be:
  • to explore the timeline of the pioneers so as to understand the current process that meets the needs of the Religious Education curriculum and classroom.
  • investigation of the 4 key elements and critical instructional guidelines of Storytelling;  
           -  Telling the Story
           - Wondering
           -  Exploring
           -  Prayer
  • engage in the process of Storytelling and how to resource the classroom.
Duration
Two days:
Storytelling and RE will consists of two and half hours of input, plus two and half hours of input on Christian Meditation. 

An additional day is required for demonstrations of Storytelling and Christian Meditation in the classroom context with students.

Facilitator
Helen Hunter

Date
Monday 9th May - 13th May 2022 - Bathurst/Orange Schools
​
Monday 19th September - 23rd September 2022,  Dubbo Schools