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intentional story sharing programme initial meeting with their Grade 2 buddy
with their Grade 2 buddies. The boys later that morning during their Life
participated in story-related activities Orientation lesson. They made use of the
to put the actual skills needed to Flipgrid App to record a video of their
1
form a relationship into practice. feelings and thoughts on their meeting.

The Grade 6 boys began by discussing second story-sharing Activity
what they believed to be the most - the Autobiographical story
important aspects in strengthening The Grade 6 and Grade 2 boys used
relational skills. They agreed that Book Creator to produce a printed
2
acknowledgement (knowing each
other’s name, being friendly and smiling),
trust (spending time, being caring and
supportive) and connection (finding
common interests and conversation)
were the main skills needed to
strengthen relationships. Throughout
the programme, the boys were asked
to reflect on how they felt these skills
were progressing. In order to strengthen
relational skills, the sharing of stories
took on many different formats, not only
the traditional storytelling approach.
Story-related activities that involved
physical interaction, as well as those
with a digital element, were chosen
as they best suit boys’ education.

first story-sharing Activity -
the historical story
During this initial meeting, each of the
Grade 6s presented his buddy with his
house shirt, as well as a handwritten card ‘All About Me’ book. The Grade 6 boys and positive relationship. Once again,
welcoming him to their house. The Grade shared their ‘My Story’ book and listened after the activity, the Grade 6 boys
6 boys were responsible for sharing to their buddy’s ‘Your Story’ book. had the opportunity to use Flipgrid to
the historical story of their house with The making of these books provided record their reflections on how their
the Grade 2s. This activity culminated an opportunity for the Grade 6 boys relationships were progressing.
in the Grade 6s teaching their buddies and their buddies to gain a thorough
house war cries, which they then all understanding of each other’s third story-sharing Activity -
sang to their Grade 2 buddy’s parents. preferences, interests, background and growing our story
The Grade 6 boys reflected on their culture and helped build a meaningful The Grade 6 boys fetched their

1 Flipgrid is a social learning platform that allows teachers to create grids to facilitate discussions. Each grid is like a message board where teachers can pose
questions or tasks called topics and boys can post video responses that appear in a tiled grid display.
2 Book Creator is a digital tool to create eBooks that can also be printed.

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