Overview: Because the Jataka Tales were originally told not read, students will learn to tell the story they have rewritten as a children's tale. 

Grade level: 10-12;1-4. 

NCTE standards addressed: 
Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g. conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes. 

Objectives: 
Students will apply basic storytelling skills including, but not limitied to gestures, facial expressions, pacing, repitition, dialog, and emphasis. 
Students will appreciate the Jataka Tales were originally part of a rich oral tadition. 

Materials: Copies of the Jataka Tales from http://www.buddhistinformation.com/jataka_tales_of_the_buddha_htm. or any other
source. 
Copies of "Effective Storytelling- a basic manual" by Barry McWilliams available for downloading from
http://www.eldrbarry.net/roos/eest.htm 

Procedure: 
1. Students will select a Jataka Tale to tell. 
2. Using the step by step maunal by McWilliams, students will prepare the telling of their tale. 
3. Students will practice their performances for a partner. 
4. Students will complete peer review sheets for their partners. 
5. Students will revise performances accordingly. 
6. Students will perform for their elelmentary school target audience. 

Additional storytelling resources: 
http://www.geocities.com/eltsqu/storytelling.htm ( Foundation principles of storyteling by Bill Johnson)