As a literature teacher, I not only teach about stories, but I also strive more and more to teach with stories. I aim to weave narratives into my lessons to demonstrate and dramatize the concepts I want the students to grasp. The longer I teach, the more convinced I become of the power of story to instill truth and inspire wonder in a way that nothing else can, not least of all because stories are indissolubly linked with the human experience and human nature.
They tap into our psyche, touching us in a unique way.
‘Let Me Tell You a Story’
Whenever these words are uttered, the listeners perk up. Maybe, it’s Grandpa, leaning back in his chair, the mist of time coming over his eyes as he prepares to tell (or retell) one of his many hunting tales. Or maybe it’s the friend who can turn any experience—a car wash, the first day on a new job—into an uproarious adventure. Or maybe it’s the teacher at the front of the classroom, spinning the strands of the lesson into the gold of a story—something concrete and full of value that the students can take home with them.
