The Impact of Story: One Preschool Program’s Experiences Using Story Cubes as a Culturally Relevant Oral Language Strategy.

Main Article Content

Laura Strong
Michelle Amodei

Abstract

Storytelling is a universal practice prevalent in many cultures. Research on language development indicates that storytelling strategies can be beneficial for supporting oral language development in young children (Kennedy, 2016).  Story cubes, used as reflective, culturally relevant instructional strategies, can be highly motivating because they encourage children’s personal, relevant contributions while addressing the language needs of Dual Language Learners. When acquiring a second language, these students face unique challenges in overall acquisition of literacy skills (Amodei & Strong, 2019). This article describes a study conducted at a trilingual preschool. Four preschool teachers and 60 PreK students ages 3-5 years participated in the study designed to explore the use of story cubes in their classrooms as a culturally responsive and reflective strategy. Accomplished through small and large group engagement with story cubes, researchers collected qualitative and quantitative data using observational field notes, Likert scale questionnaire responses and narrative interview transcript responses.  

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Article Details

Section
Research Articles
Author Biography

Michelle Amodei, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Michelle Amodei is an Associate Professor at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in the Elementary/Early Childhood Education Department, where she teaches a variety of courses related to working with English Language Learners, assessment, leadership, field supervision, and advocacy. Prior to her move into higher education, Dr. Amodei worked as an early childhood program administrator, preschool teacher, and regional consultant to early childhood programs participating in Pennsylvania’s quality rating improvement system called “Keystone STARS.” She has had varied opportunities to work with diverse populations as teacher, administrator, and consultant. As a result of her professional and personal experiences, Dr. Amodei’s research interests include preparing teacher candidates from non-diverse regions to work effectively with dual language learners, using mathematics to support language development in young dual language learners, collegiality impacts on teacher educator programs, and how QRIS systems impact early childhood professionals’ attitudes about their practices.