I thought it might be fun to share the comments or details we have given our dc after their narrations. The appendix says we can ask questions, correct misinformation, and ask for clarification, but we should avoid being overly critical and limit what we say to a few important points. I usually try to start with at least 3-4 sincere compliments, and then end with 1-2 things to work on. I thought it would be helpful to share these here with each other, and have others continue adding to this thread, so we have some ideas for comments in mind! Compliments:
- I liked how you told your narration in the order that things happened.
- You did a good job of having a beginning, middle, and end.
- I enjoyed the expression in your voice when you gave your narration!
- You did a great job of taking on the author's style when you said "___________" - I felt like I was sitting in the room with the author!
- You are becoming a true storyteller - I feel like I'm sitting around a campfire listening to a good story when you narrate.
- I like how you remembered this quote: ______________
- I like how smoothly you kept the narration going.
- I like how carefully you chose your words - you really kept my interest!
- You retold it in such an exciting way, that I couldn't wait to hear what would happen next!
- You did a good job of making eye contact with me.
Things to work on:
- Try to remember to use the specific names of the people/places in your narration.
- Try not to start your sentences with "And then"
- You did a good job of telling the end of what we read, but next time remember to "rewind to the beginning" just like we rewind a VCR tape, and start at the beginning to tell me as much as you can remember.
- "Stuff" and "things" aren't good words to use in a narration, so try to use more detailed words than those next time.
- Try not to have a conversation with yourself in the middle of your narration, for example, "Oh, what was that guy's name again?" is something you may be thinking but don't need to say.
- Try to take on the author's style next time, and "sound like" him/her.
- Keep track of the big ideas of the story, and try to tell all you can about them as you go through them in order.
- I think you meant "_______" instead of "________" when you mentioned that character doing something.
- Just so you know, "brang" is not a word. You would want to say "brought" instead.
Those are just some that come to mind, but I'd love to hear some of yours too!
In Christ,
Julie
(And I have many a time suppressed the urge to say, "ARE YOU DONE YET? You don't need to tell me everything!") We're really enjoying the variety of narrations in the storytime box of CTC. The detailed narration is the only one he did on his own.