The Barefoot Storytelling Competition touches on some of the core strands within the Primary Framework for Literacy in Schools. Holding an event in your school is a wonderful way to incorporate drama, creativity, and fun into your curriculum. Follow these easy steps to encourage students to become young storytellers and win these wonderful prizes for your classroom!
The Best Entry submitted by a school will receive a library of Barefoot Books worth £1,000, plus a day-long storytelling workshop run by professional storyteller, Daniel Morden.
The schools of the two Runners-up will each receive a collection of Barefoot Books worth £200.
Steps for holding an event at your school
Request a tool kit at publicity@barefootbooks.com with postcards and posters to spread the word about the competition in your school, and to send home to parents and carers. If you produce a weekly or monthly newsletter for the school’s community include information on the Storytelling Competition and any events that are planned.
Read over the official rules and explain them to students and also recommend stories for them if they don’t have ones in mind. Our recommended storytelling list is a good place to start.
Set aside class time for students to practise their stories. You can help them with our Tips for a Successful Storytelling School Event. You should encourage children to practise at home as well.
Download the Consent Form and Official Rules to send home with students to get parental consent to post their videos online.
Schedule a performance or event for your students for them to tell their stories.
Record the performances so they can be uploaded onto our YouTube page. You may need to cut tapes separately because there is only one student performance allowed per upload.
Don't forget!
Performances should be folk tales, fairy tales, urban legends or family stories. They may be delivered in rhyme or as spoken narrative but must be performed from memory rather than read aloud. Musical instruments may be featured.
Performances must be individual and no longer than ten minutes. 5-6 minutes is ideal!
Entries should be original interpretations or adaptations of a handed-down ballad or tale.
Children must be no more than 14 years old at the date of entry.
