Time: 4 hours from 3 to 7 p.m.
Introduction
The following "Storytelling and songs" activities pursue the aim to give Trainee Teachers the confidence to create their own activities, according to the principle that a teacher has to learn how to learn.
In this INSET SESSION the "Splitting the Atom" technique is used so as to give Teachers a real opportunity to find a balance between experiential and received knowledge, as Wallace puts it.

warm-up 1: Festival's names

organisation: Ts stand in semicircle.
process:TT writes on the board the word "festival" and with the Ts' help, lists up to 7 Festivals they know and writes some of the characteristics.
time : 5 mns.
before and after: This could be a short warm-up activity to lead in to work of the topic.
aims: To introduce the "storytelling and songs" activities.
strategy: Brainstorming.

Warm-up 2: "Meg the witch"

organisation: As before.
process: Before beginning the "Meg the witch" activity, TT writes on slips of paper the names of the characters of three well-known fairy-tales.
TT gives every piece to every T. They walk around the classroom, finding their partners.
Consequently, TT divide the class in three groups. TT lists up on the board to eight stories they know about festival, and the list some characters.
time: 5 mns.
strategies: Brainstorming, Remember and share, open-endedness.

One of the most important TT' tasks is providing a SPIRAL imput, so that "Ts will be learning in similar manner to the way they may wish to teach" (Vale D.-Feunteun A.).
For this reason, Ts have to be aware of the needs of children and of the value of child-centred activities.

Activity 1: "choose your ps.
process: TT writes on the board, near the other titles of Fairy-ta

Discussion, before taking part an activity, and exchange information within the Ts group, should be encouraged because Ts wish to discuss some of the theoretical implications of the activity they accomplish. Time should be devoted to discussion and references dealing with books, articles and useful suggestions of how to find and create material to use in class.

activity 2: "Tasks for each group"

organisation: As before.
process: TT gives photocopies, containing articles or/and some chapters from books dealing with: -Storytelling; -Songs; -Festivals, in order introduce cultural aspects;
-Children self-made books;
-How to create a story;
-How to create a song with jazz or rap rhythms.
Afterwards, Ts do jigsaw reading, sharing ideas, and making comments in their group.
Then, every group chooses a different technique for storytelling.
For instance, "Storytelling poster", "Making a book", "Making flashcards" technique. They work on the one they have chosen, deciding how to deal and what material they need.
time: 1 hour.
aims: To restore Ts confidence so that they can improve their creative powers, adapt and use these tasks and techniques with their classes.
These tasks provide a vast area for cross-curri- cular experiences.
strategies: Setting a compulsory target plus an optional one;
providing variety; individualisation; open- endedness.

activity 3: "Jazz and Rap chants"

organisation: Ts sit in a semicircle. They can tap with their hands and feet to keep the rhythm.
process: TT presents the Jazz chant written by C. Graham "Sh! Sh! Baby's sleeping".
Ts listen to the chant and go through it all.
Once Ts have been through it all once, TT divides the class in three groups and asks to change each rhyme, so that it is more humorous.
After that they sing.
time: 30 mns.
aims: To respond to the Ts' needs about:
models and examples of teaching practice;
resource materials;
ways to keep children interested. Fun.

activity 3.1: "Write a chant for your storytelling"

organisation: As before.
process: Ts write a song, with jazz or rap rhythm, suitable for their storytelling.
time: 1 hour.
aim : To enhance creative powers.

activity 4: "Feedback: Performance"

organisation: As before.
process: Every group presents to the class its storytelling.
time: 1 hour.
aims: To learn through observing actions as well as by performing the action itself.
Activate the material.

REFERENCES