Grade 7 CREATIVE ARTS AND SPORTS CREATING AND PERFORMING IN CREATIVE ARTS AND SPORTS β STORYTELLING Notes
STORYTELLING
Subject: Creative Arts and Sports | Topic: Creating and Performing | Age: 12 (Kenya)
Storytelling (Hadithi) is the way we share events, ideas, or feelings using words, actions and sounds. In Kenya, storytelling happens at home, around the fire, at school, or during community events. Stories can teach, entertain, or inspire action.
Why storytelling matters
- Keeps Kenyan culture and proverbs (methali) alive.
- Helps performers practise voice, body language and timing.
- Makes sports excitingβtelling a great match story can inspire teammates and fans.
- Builds confidence for speaking in public (assembly, competitions).
Main elements of a good story
Who is in the story? A hero, a friend, an animal like the sungura (hare) or a netball player.
Where and when does it happen? A village, Nairobi National Park, or during the county championships.
The events: beginning (problem), middle (climax), end (solution).
What problem must be solved and how does it end?
The message or lesson of the story (e.g., bravery, honesty, teamwork).
Who tells the story? I (first person), he/she (third person), or a narrator.
Telling vs Performing
Telling is the words you choose. Performing is how you use voice, face and body to bring the story to life.
Performance tips (easy to try)
- Breathe: Take deep breaths before you start. It helps your voice.
- Projection: Speak loud enough for everyone β pretend you are telling a friend across the playground.
- Pace: Mix slow and fast parts. Slow for important lines, faster for action.
- Expression: Use your face and hands. Smile, frown, act surprised.
- Eye contact: Look at people in different parts of the room.
- Pause: A short silence before the important part makes it stronger.
- Use props: A hat, a stick, or a small toy can make a character clear.
Kenyan ideas you can use
- Retell a folktale about Sungura (the clever hare) or a story your grandparent told.
- Create a modern story: a child cycling to school in Kisumu, a football match in Kibera, or a safari trip to Amboseli.
- Use a Swahili proverb (methali) to teach the theme, e.g., "Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu."
How to build a short story (5β7 minutes)
- Start: Introduce the character and setting in one or two lines.
- Problem: Show a clear problem or challenge.
- Action: Show attempts to solve the problem (include feelings and sounds).
- Climax: The most exciting moment (decision or play).
- End: Show the result and the lesson (theme).
Activity: Story map (draw or copy)
Quick practice exercises (10β15 minutes)
- Group: One student starts a sentence; pass the story around adding one sentence each (call-and-response).
- Pair: Create and perform a 2-minute story using a prop (scarf, ball).
- Solo: Tell a 3-minute true sports story β what happened in a match you watched or played?
Checklist before your performance
- I know my beginning, middle and end.
- I practised voice, face and gestures.
- I have a prop or simple costume if needed.
- I can pause for effect and speak clearly.
- I will look at my audience, not at the floor.