(Hitting the Books - MOV Parent - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

The Prereading Activity for Concept Enhancement (PACE) is a storytelling approach to teach children a lesson. With the use of the PACE strategy, a child is introduced to concepts, themes, or topics through the medium of succinct, motivating, adult-presented narratives. This approach enables children:

* To set a purpose for reading.

* To be aware of the primary concepts, themes, or topics.

* To learn vocabulary pertinent to target concepts, themes, or topics.

* To discuss stimulating prequestions.

* To tap prior knowledge and experiences.

Before describing the PACE strategy procedure in detail, let us briefly review the rationale and basic considerations that are significant components of storytelling.

Basic Storytelling Considerations

While storytelling can be used in the beginning, or middle part of a lesson, there are specific considerations that must be pondered when planning to use this strategy for instruction.

* Planning your story. Consider the overall objective. Decide on the content you want to incorporate into the story.

* Organize your events. Think about the events of the story and put them down on a paper in a timeline fashion.

* Remember to use your own words. You are not reading a text; you’re delivering a story. Practice is good, but don’t make it too rehearsed.

* Feel free to change or exaggerate. If your story is completely true, or used to convey meaningful content, feel free to add any funny anecdotes, rhymes, or humor. This will make your story and the material you’re covering more memorable.

* Begin the story with something that will engage your children and don’t let the story falter, allowing children to fade off from listening.

* Remember eye contact. From the beginning of your story, use eye contact to assist you in keeping the children focused on the narrative.

* Change your voice. If you use different characters, changing your voice and/or facial expression can benefit your children’s understanding.

* Use props that will further enhance your “story” presentation. Authentic items that reflect the content you are covering are best. It is a great way to assist children in understanding the points you are covering because it gives them a visual to remember.

Such storytelling components will definitely motivate the children to want to learn more about the content.

The Pace Strategy Procedure

The PACE strategy procedure consists of the following three steps.

Step One: Development of the PACE Story

The creation of your narrative will take some time and effort. You will need to consider the major concepts, themes, or topics of the target material. You should also spend time in choosing important vocabulary and developing thought-provoking pre-questions. Although this first phase entails more preparation on your part, the results will be well worth the effort because the children will be better prepared to begin their reading. Furthermore, you can use your PACE narrative over and over again, even with other materials emphasizing similar concepts, themes, or topics.

Step Two: Presentation of the PACE Story

It’s now storytelling time! Remember, the story is your creation, so be enthusiastic as you tell the story and keep the “pace” moving. If you do this, your excitement will be contagious, and your children’s interest will be high.

Step Three: Discussion of the PACE Story

Finally, the children have an opportunity to play an active role in discussing your story pre-questions and asking questions of their own. Through this interaction, children gain a deeper understanding of pertinent vocabulary, share prior knowledge and personal experiences, and most importantly, begin to internalize principal concepts, themes, or topics.

In sum, children of all ages (including adults) enjoy to be told stories. And what better way can you think of for promoting children’s interest in concept, theme, or topic development than through the magic of a story!

***

Bill Welker, EdD, is an educator who has 40 years of experience as a K12 classroom teacher in both public and private schools. He was the recipient of the prestigious “Jasper N. Deahl Award” from West Virginia University for his accomplishments as a certified reading specialist.