Using Storyline for early literacy

Teachers in Aberfoyle Primary School in Stirling Council are enthusiastic about using Storyline topics as part of their cross-curricular approach to developing early literacy. The imaginative involvement of their pupils in contexts such as 'Rainforest', 'Pirates' and 'In the Sea' has increased confidence in speaking and motivated children to write.

Storyline uses features of 'story' – setting, characters and plot – to provide a frame for topic planning and classroom delivery. Each episode in the Storyline opens with pupils discussing a key question which has been designed by the teacher. This discussion leads naturally to a variety of purposeful activities including problem solving, critical thinking, creative work with materials, talking and writing.

Pupils take ownership of the characters they create. Exploration of incidents proposed in answer to the key question 'What do you think might happen if . . . ?' provides opportunity for much storytelling and enables pupils to explore attitudes and feelings as well as extend their knowledge.

Storyline is a powerful yet flexible methodology which fosters all four outcomes of language in relevant and meaningful contexts. It also allows for various degrees of curriculum integration.