Story Circles in the Classroom

The Apple Seed Curriculum | Grades 4-6

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Story Circles is a way to workshop student’s stories and it can be applied to any Apple Seed lesson plan or to any classroom activity where students are developing stories. We recommend developing stories orally first. Speaking is our first language; writing is a second language and even the most proficient of writers can get their stories bogged down in the writing process.

By using storytelling and pre-writing tools, such as story maps, drawings, or outlining, students can free their imagination for story creation. That being said, this same process can be used as a peer coaching process for written stories as well.

Story Circles are small groups of writers that are going to engage in Peer Coaching each other’s stories. They can contain 2 -6 students who take turns being the teller and the coaches. These sessions should be encouraging and feel safe. It is important to teach the principles and order of Peer Coaching so that each student is clear about what their role is, what to expect, and how to give and receive positive feedback.

For more information and steps to using this resource, download Story Circles in the Classroom HERE (PDF)