Storytelling Resources
The Educational Uses of Storytelling is a site where instructors can find instruction on creating stories, examples, tools, assessment, and resources.
California Council of Humanities' California Stories project aims to build community among Californians and increase understanding by "by uncovering personal and community stories that, once gathered and woven together, tell the story of today's California." This is a rich site with a number of projects, such as "How I See It," which includes the Youth Digital Filmmakers program, supporting several groups of young Californians making videos about their lives. The videos will be available on the council website when completed in summer 2008. Other initiatives specifically on California stories have teacher resources on texts such as The Grapes of Wrath and a new collection titled California Stories Uncovered: Stories for the 21st Century.
This American Life began as a weekly radio show with interviews based on a theme and has now branched into a TV program. Podcasts and archived shows are available at this site.
National Public Radio's show This I Believe broadcasts essays by Americans "from all walks of life [sharing] the personal philosophies and core values that guide their daily lives." Speakers include college students as well as public figures. Archives of broadcasts and texts are available at the website, as well as a section for educators, discussion guides, and submission guidelines.
Coastridge Productions offers a series of local radio/documentary productions, including the four-part documentary series Pastures of Plenty, narrated by Luis Valdez, exploring farmworkers’ lives in California.
Karen Warren, English Instructor Gavilan College * 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy, CA 95020 * kwarren@gavilan.edu 408/848-4850