School of Theatre > For educators > In your classroom > Story Builders
Story Builders
Welcome to Story Builders! We are excited to bring popular stories to life in your classroom using sound, movement, dialogue and improvisation. Story Builders introduces students to theatre and helps develop literacy and communication skills in an artistic environment. During this workshop, students turn the classroom into a living theatre, becoming characters in a story chosen from our reading list. Story Builders is available as a one-, three- or 10-hour workshop, with the option of a bilingual program for Spanish-speaking ELL students. Berkeley Rep Teaching Artists will modify curriculum based on students’ grade, level of experience and teacher feedback.
program benefits
- Introduces and develops theatrical skills and knowledge in elementary school students.
- Students build upon reading, listening and speaking skills by breaking down stories into the “Five Ws”: who (character), what (setting), when (time), where (place) and why (reflection).
- Students develop the skills necessary to create a performance and develop characters through improvisation, collaboration and group work.
- Provides an avenue for creative expression and increased self-confidence, using literature selections that explore themes such as courage, telling the truth, bullying and friendship.
- Offers flexibility of curriculum for students in all degrees of learning, ELL, students from different cultural backgrounds and students with learning and physical disabilities.
To bring Story Builders into your classroom, please look at the literature selection list and complete the registration form. We will contact you to confirm your scheduling once we have received all necessary registration information.
literature selections
Based on the California Board of Education recommended reading list, these stories are appropriate for the following grades:
- The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill (Kindergarten–grade 2)
- Duck for President by Doreen Cronin (Kindergarten–grade 2)
- Don’t Fidget a Feather by Erica Silverman (Kindergarten–grade 3)
- Nabeel’s New Pants by Fawzia Gilani-Williams (Kindergarten–grade 3)
- Anansi and the Talking Melon by Eric A. Kimmel (Kindergarten–grade 5)
- Zomo the Rabbit by Gerald McDermott (Kindergarten–grade 5)
- Floating on Mama’s Song by Laura Lacámara (Kindergarten–grade 5)
- A Donkey Reads by Muriel Mandell (Grades 3–5)
- Grace for President by Kelly DiPuccio (Grades 3–5)
- Roses Sing on New Snow by Paul Yee (Grades 3–5)
- Stars Above Us by Geoffrey Norman (Grades 4–5)
- Raisel’s Riddle by Erica Silverman (Grades 4–5)
Note to teachers: For a 10-hour Story Builders workshop, please identify three stories from the list of literature selections above. Additionally, you have the option of recommending a story from your class (as approved by Berkeley Rep staff) or you may choose from a list of previous Story Builders literature selections (provided by Berkeley Rep). 10-hour workshops may conclude with a culminating event, such as a sharing of work for other students or families.
Click here for descriptions of the literature selections or download a PDF.
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workshop dates
September 2012–May 2013
workshop length
One-, three- or 10-hour sessions
maximum class size
30 students / 1 teaching artist
grade level
Kindergarten–grade 5
workshop costs
- First one-hour workshop—FREE * (one hour per public school)
- Additional one-hour workshop—$75/hour
($60/hour educator discount **) - Three-hour session—$60/hour
($55/hour educator discount **) - 10-hour session—$55/hour
- Title I discount—$55/hour
- Non-public schools—$75/hour
* Limited to one free teaching hour per public school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties. Based on availability of Berkeley Rep School of Theatre staff. Limited to 30 students per classroom. Must sign and agree to Berkeley Rep School of Theatre booking agreement.
** Must be paid by personal check or credit card for use in educator’s own classroom.
*** Due to high fuel costs, schools located over 50 miles away from Berkeley Repertory Theatre may be charged an additional transportation fee.
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new concepts and vocabulary introduced
- Antagonist
- Blocking
- Character development
- Collaboration
- Conflict and resolution
- Courage in the face of public speaking and performing
- Five Ws (who, what, when, where, why)
- Improvisation
- Metaphor
- Personal space and control of motor functions
- Problem solving
- Protagonist
- The role of the actor
- Stage presence
- Tableau
- Theatre
content integration
All of the subjects below are integrated into the Story Builders curriculum. Depending on grade level, story selection and number of bookings, some subjects are explored further than others.
all standards covered
English Language Arts: Reading: 3.1.; Listen & Speak: 1.1-1.9, 2.1–2.3
Physical Education: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.1.4, 1.6, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 5.1–5.7
English language Development: Reading: 3.1, 3.2. Listen & Speak: 1.1–1.9, 2.1–2.3
Mathematics: Number Sense, 1.1–1.4, 2.1–2.6. Statistics: 1.2, 2.1, 2.2
Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2
Visual and Performing Arts, Dance: 1.1–1.5, 2.1–2.4
key standards
English Language Arts
- Identify and describe the elements of plot, setting and character in a story, as well as the story’s beginning, middle and ending.
- Use descriptive words when speaking about people, place, things and events.
- Retell stories relating the sequence of story events by answering who, what, when, where, why and how questions.
- Plan and present dramatic interpretations of experiences, stories, poems or plays using volume, pitch, phrasing, pace, modulation and gestures appropriately to enhance meaning.
Physical Education
- Demonstrate sharing and cooperation in a physical activity, encourage others by using verbal and nonverbal communication, contribute ideas and listen to the ideas of others in cooperative problem-solving activities.
- Identify and demonstrate effective practices for working with a group without interfering with others.
Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre
- Artistic Perception
- Observe and describe the traits of a character and identify the differences between real people and imaginary characters.
- Use body and voice to improvise alternative endings to a story.
- Identify a character’s objectives and motivations to explain that character’s behavior.
- Recognize the structural elements of plot in a script or theatrical experience.
- Creative Expression
- Participate in cooperative script writing and improvisations that incorporate the Five Ws and explore complex ideas and universal themes in literature and life.
- Demonstrate the emotional traits of a character through gesture and action.
- Perform group pantomimes, tableaus and improvisations from classroom literature or life experiences, incorporating plot.
- Historical and Cultural Context
- Retell or dramatize stories, myths, fables and fairy tales from various cultures and times.
Visual and Performing Arts, Dance
- Create, develop and perform movements that reflect a variety of personal experiences and emotions with focus, energy and intent.
- Respond in movement to a wide variety of stimuli.
literature selections
The Recess Queen
- By Alexis O’Neill
- Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
- Kindergarten–grade 2
- Mean Jean was the Recess Queen and there was nothing anybody could do about it. That is, until Katie Sue came to school and taught everyone a lesson in friendship and playfulness. Bullying is no match for kindness in this quirky playground tale.
Duck for President
- By Doreen Cronin
- Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
- Kindergarten–grade 2
- Duck is not pleased with the current leadership on the farm, so he puts down his lawnmower and picks up some election ballots. After winning control of the farm, however, he realizes that running for office is more fun than the office itself and his career as a politician is born. This introduction to the election process shows how politics can be a messy business, whether on a farm or in a presidential campaign.
Don’t Fidget a Feather
- By Erica Silverman
- Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
- Kindergarten–grade 3
- When Duck and Gander compete, it is no easy feat to make one of them concede. In a test to see who can stand still the longest, will they sacrifice the title of “Champion of Champions” to escape being a part of Fox’s fowl-filled dinner?
Nabeel’s New Pants
- By Fawzia Gilani-Williams
- Illustrated by Proiti Roy
- Kindergarten–grade 3
- Nabeel loves his family and buys each of them a gift for the Muslim holiday of Eid. He also treats himself to a new pair of pants but they are far too long. As he gives out his gifts, he asks each family member if they would help him to hem his pants. Each say they are too busy preparing for the holiday celebration, so Nabeel is left to hem his pants himself. Later, each relative decides to surprise Nabeel and hem his pants, too! Nabeel wakes up to quite a surprise the next morning in this “short” and sweet folktale.
Anansi and the Talking Melon
- By Eric A. Kimmel
- Illustrated by Janet Stevens
- Kindergarten–grade 5
- In this tale of Anansi, the trickster spider (from the author of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock), Elephant is convinced that his biggest, juiciest melon can talk. He and his animal friends take the talking melon to the king, never knowing that it is really Anansi inside the melon, up to his usual tricks!
Zomo the Rabbit
- By Gerald McDermott
- Kindergarten–grade 5
- Zomo the Rabbit goes to the Sky God to ask for the gift of wisdom. Sky God gives Zomo three impossible tasks to complete in order to earn this valuable gift. Will Zomo’s clever tricks be enough to appease the Sky God and reach his goal?
Floating on Mama’s Song
- By Laura Lacámara
- Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
- Kindergarten–grade 5
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
- Mama loves to sing. Her song is so beautiful that when notes escape her throat, everyone around her is so filled with happiness they begin to float in the air (even the neighbor’s cow!). But what happens when Mama stops singing and her family can no longer float on her song? This melodic story of family and the magic of music is available in both English and Spanish.
A Donkey Reads
- By Muriel Mandell
- Illustrated by André Letria
- Grades 3–5
- In this retelling of a Turkish fable, the village wise man teaches a greedy tyrant a lesson he’ll never forget. How does teaching a donkey to turn the pages of a book save a villager and his family from ruin? Find out in this tale that shows how brains can prevail over brawn.
Grace for President
- By Kelly DiPuccio
- Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
- Grades 3–5
- Grace cannot believe there has never been a woman president, so she decides to run for President of her class and is pretty sure she’ll win…until Thomas Cobb, the very popular spelling-bee-champion-soccer-captain, decides to run against her. Will hard work and good ideas be enough to win this election? Grace for President gives an excellent explanation of the election process while also teaching lessons in defying stereotypes and achieving goals.
Roses Sing on New Snow
- By Paul Yee
- Illustrated by Harvey Chan
- Grades 3–5
- People from all over the New World come to Chinatown to try Maylin’s cooking in her father’s restaurant. However, no one knows that it is Maylin producing this delicious food; her greedy brothers take all the credit for her cooking. One day, the governor of South China comes to town. He announces that all the restaurants in Chinatown are invited to bring their best dish to him for a special banquet. If Maylin’s dish is chosen as the favorite, will she finally receive the recognition she deserves?
Stars Above Us
- By Geoffrey Norman
- Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
- Grades 4–5
- Amanda and her Daddy have many memories together. There was the time he showed her the fireflies outside their house at night and the time they decorated the ceiling of her room like the night sky. These memories are important because Amanda’s Daddy is a soldier and, eventually, it is time for him to go far away for a long time. In this story of the value of family and the challenges of having a parent at war, Amanda uses the stars to help her stay close to her Daddy, even when he is all the way across the world.
Raisel’s Riddle
- By Erica Silverman
- Illustrated by Susan Gaber
- Grades 4–5
- In this Polish Cinderella story, Raisel is brought up by her scholarly grandfather to value learning and studying. However, when her grandfather passes away, Raisel leaves for the city to seek work. She finds a job as a scullery maid in the great rabbi’s house. The work is hard, but she finds solace in the kindness of the rabbi’s son. When the night of the Purim play arrives, an act of kindness earns Raisel a chance to rise from her rags and attend the play in a beautiful costume which captures the attention of the rabbi’s son. However, it is her wit in creating the perfect riddle which eventually captures his heart.
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Questions?
Call 510 647–2972, or email outreach@berkeleyrep.org.
school of theatre
major sponsors
The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation / The Mosse Foundation for Education and the Arts / The Woodlawn Foundation
