The Helicopter Technique of Storytelling and Story Acting is in theory quite simple. The teacher or workshop leader sits down with the child, listens to his / her story, and writes it down word for word. At the end of the story, the child decides which character he / she wants to play and the teacher moves on to the next child on the list. Towards the end of the session, the whole class gathers to act out the stories of their peers.
The Helicopter Technique
- Recognizes the potential of very young children to tell stories and to act them out
- Involves scribing stories told by children completely verbatim and inviting children to act them out on a taped out stage - instant theatre in the classroom
- Can be used with children as young as 3 years old up to Key Stage 1
- Improves children's speaking and listening skills
- Increases pupils' confidence and self esteem
- Improves relationships and communication within the classroom
- Creates a community of storytelling with in the classroom
MakeBelieve Arts has a team of trained and experienced facilitators, led by Trisha Lee (Artistic Director), who are available to run INSET sessions with teachers or workshops with children in schools or Early Years settings
During in-school sessions we introduce the technique and offer guidance to the class teacher to ensure sustainability within the classroom
The Helicopter Technique of Storytelling and Story Acting grew out of Vivian Gussin Paley's book The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter (published 1990 Harvard University Press)
"The class room has all the elements of theatre, and the observant, self-examining teacher will not need a drama critic to uncover character and plot, and meaning. We are, all of us, the actors trying to find the meaning of the scenes in which we find ourselves. The scripts are not yet fully written, so we must listen with curiosity and great care to the main characters who are, of course, the children." Vivian Gussin Paley