Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Reading

Date of Award

5-2005

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Joseph D. Sobol

Committee Members

Delanna Kay Reed, Rebecca Isbell

Abstract

For years, storytellers have been going to schools to share stories with children. However, to date only limited research has been done on the effects of storytelling on children’s learning. This project was part of an ongoing study involving several researchers. In this portion of the project, the effects of storytelling and story reading were compared. The population studied consisted of kindergarten, first, and second grade students. Half the students were read stories aloud, the other half were told the same stories by a storyteller. Data were collected regarding students ability to recall facts they had heard, as well as students skill in using formal story elements. The students’ interpretations of story meaning were also examined. Students in both the reading and storytelling groups improved on most measures. However, on some measures, notably those regarding recall ability, students in the storytelling group improved more than students in the reading group.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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