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Tales & Co.
Teaching English Through Storytelling
Stories are a natural way for children to discover language. They give English a context, a purpose and a meaning — helping children listen, understand, speak and interact while becoming immersed in a world they can see, imagine and make their own.
At Chatterbox, we use storytelling to turn picture books and stories into engaging English learning experiences. Our resources combine storytelling with language development, communication, creativity and thinking skills, with activities designed to help children move from understanding language to using it.
Here you’ll find practical, ready-to-use English storytelling lesson plans, classroom activities and Story Box ideas for primary learners, together with resources for CLIL, seasonal learning and other classroom contexts.
Whether you are new to teaching English through stories or already use storytelling regularly, explore our collection and find ideas you can take straight into your classroom.
Take storytelling further
A book of brand new, ready-to-use storytelling lesson plans. Practical activities and ideas for teaching English through stories, designed to help teachers turn picture books into engaging language-learning experiences.
Explore our free storytelling resources
Primary School Lesson Plan: All People Are Beautiful by Vincent Kelly
Teach family vocabulary and explore the idea of a family tree through a warm, colourful and inclusive story. Children discover different ways of being a family while learning to describe the people who are special to them. A gentle starting point for celebrating diversity, belonging and the many different shapes that families can take. Level A1 | Age: 8-10 | Speaking, listening, writing | Family, descriptions, verbs to be/have Topic: family / describing people Language skills
2 ott
Storytelling lesson plan for primary school: Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Teach sea vocabulary 🐠 🦑 and emotions 🎭 with this uplifting story, which will remind students of the summer they have just left behind.☀️ Level A1 | Ages 6-10 | Speaking, listening, some writing | Topics: sea, friendship, emotions Topic: the sea/ fish/ friendship/ emotions Language skills: Speaking, listening, some writing Soft skills: remembering, understanding, creating, performing, analyzing Materials: fish puppet, shiny object, sea related objects, story book or read a
23 set
From Page to Stage©️: free storytelling materials and support, to create a Trinity Stars Awards project
Turn a favourite story into a year-long English performance project — without starting from scratch. Get free, ready-to-use scripts, songs, characters and dialogues, plus online teacher support and help with the Trinity Stars Awards admin process. Primary School year 5: performance based on The Pirates' Picnic by Angela McAllister We know you are an innovative, mindful English teacher who wants to make a difference in education. Storytelling is already your favourite teaching
22 set
Storytelling lesson plan, level A1: Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton
Back to school… with a deliciously wicked twist! 🍎📚 A hilarious rhyming adventure, perfect for counting, classroom vocabulary and getting back into the school-story mood. ✨ Topic: back to school / counting / school rules Level : A1 Thinking skills: LOTS remembering understanding HOTS organizing information (sequencing) active listening Language skills: speaking and listening YOUR STORYBOX Prepare a story box with elements that make children think about the subject of the st
10 set
Storytelling lesson plan for primary school: What's the Time Mr Wolf? by Colin Hawkins
“What’s the time, Mr. Wolf?”—a question that turns play into courage and fear into forward motion. Every step you take, even in uncertainty, is a story of bravery waiting to be told.
13 mag
Level A1 storytelling lesson plan: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
An all time children classic to explore language and boost imagination, while building confidence in young learners
6 mag
Storytelling tips & ideas: how to choose the perfect story book
Selecting the right storybook can spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and turn a simple lesson into a memorable journey—captivating students’ attention and allowing them to truly connect with and benefit from the experience. Here are 5 features you need to look for when choosing a book: Level As a teacher you will find yourself with classes made of students with a variety of language levels. Also, because authentic storybooks are not specifically written for foreign language
25 mar
Storytelling lesson plan for primary school: How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace
Can you outsmart a sneaky leprechaun? Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this fun and imaginative story that encourages creativity and problem-solving. TOPIC: St Patrick's Day / Ireland / Rooms of the house / household objects AGE GROUP: 6-10 year olds THINKING SKILLS: LOTS remembering understanding HOTS sequencing organizing information creating team work VOCABULARY: New: leprechaun / pot of gold/ rainbow/ shamrock Review: rooms of the house / household objects MATERIALS: stor
11 mar
5 classroom activities you can develop from storytelling
Storytelling enhances learning by transforming abstract information into engaging, memorable narratives that boost retention. Storytelling is considered one of the best educational methods to develop students metacognitive awareness, hence help them to learn faster, remember more effectively and improve overall personal wellbeing. Here are 5 classroom activities you can develop from storytelling: 1 - Sequencing Stories are perfect for sequencing activities. These can be used
18 feb
Storytelling lesson plan for Pancacke Day: Mr Wolf's Pancakes by Jan Fearnley
Celebrate Pancake Day in style with a fun and engaging story that explores the importance of helping others, kindness, teamwork—and what can happen when these qualities are missing. TOPIC: Pancake Day/ food / cooking process AGE GROUP: 6-10 years old LANGUAGE SKILLS: speaking and listening / some writing THINKING SKILLS LOTS: remembering, understanding HOTS: analyzing, creating SEL COMPONENT: teamwork / helping others / kindness VOCABULARY: food / cooking verbs STORY BOX: pre
11 feb
Storytelling lesson plan for primary school: The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Teach farm animals and the importance of concentration with this simple, yet rhythmic and engaging story which offers a perfect example of how plain language and repetition can engage learners. TOPIC: farm animals AGE GROUP: 6-10 years old LANGUAGE SKILLS: speaking and listening THINKING SKILLS LOTS: remembering HOTS: matching, sequencing, creating and understanding SEL COMPONENT: importance of concentration when working VOCABULARY: farm animals / verbs STORY BOX: create a b
4 feb
Level A1 storytelling lesson plan: The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
Teach colours and wild animals with this charming and thoughtful story that explores what it means to be yourself. TOPIC: colours / wild animals AGE GROUP: 6-10 years old LANGUAGE SKILLS: speaking and listening THINKING SKILLS LOTS: remembering HOTS: sequencing, organizing, analyzing, creating, cross-curricular links (science) SEL COMPONENT: self identity / confidence VOCABULARY: colours / wild animals / pets / farm animals / insects / adjectives STORY BOX: create a story box
28 gen
5 storytelling cross curricular links offered by The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Find out how this timeless story can link to other curricular subjects, to create a 360° school project for primary school students.
19 gen
Storytelling lesson plan for Primary School: Little Red Riding Hood
Teach body parts at primary school, with one of the most popular stories of all times. Our Little Red Riding Hood story box ✨📚 A timeless fairy tale your students will love! Little Red Riding Hood is perfect for exploring new vocabulary such as body parts and important themes like safety. Ideal for discussions 💬 and creative activities 🎨✏️ in primary classrooms. A classic story that never fails to engage young learners TOPIC: body parts / safety / listening / consequences
14 gen
Christmas storytelling lesson plan: Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
A Christmas lesson plan for primary school teachers There’s something magical about stories that sparkle with festive cheer, and Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa brings that magic to life in the most delightfully chaotic way. This charming picture book follows everyone’s favourite spell-casting duo—Winnie the Witch and her lovable cat, Wilbur—as they tumble into a Christmas Eve adventure filled with mishaps, laughter, and a sprinkle of holiday wonder. TOPICS: Christmas / team wor
5 dic 2025
Storytelling lesson plan, level A1: "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn storybook Starting school can bring big feelings for little ones. ❤️ The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a sweet story that eases those worries and celebrates the bond between parent and child. ✋✨ This lesson plan offers simple, meaningful activities to help children feel comforted, connected, and ready for the school day. TOPIC: back-to-school, feelings AGE GROUP: 6-10 yr olds LANGUAGE SKILLS: speaking, listening, writing (or drawing) THINKING
28 ago 2025
Storytelling lesson plan, level A1: Pete the Cat and the Tip-Top Tree House by James Dean
Climb High with Pete the Cat: Adventures in the Tip-Top Tree House! 🌳🐾 Join Pete and his pals as they build the coolest tree house ever — a fun-filled story about friendship, teamwork, and sky-high imagination! Topic: rooms of the house / friendship / teamwork Level: A1 Skills: LOTS: remembering: recall characters and settings understanding: discuss why characters end up playing in the playground HOTS analyzing organizing information evaluating critical thinking Language fo
27 mag 2025
CLIL lesson plan: Ecosystems
Discover how to blend science and language learning with a CLIL lesson plan on ecosystems, where curiosity meets critical thinking! Picture 1 - final result Topic: Ecosystems Age group: primary school (8-10 years old) Lesson time: 1 hour Teaching aims: to teach students vocabulary relating to different ecosystems to enable learners to gain an understanding of features relating to different ecosystems Learning outcomes: Know weather vocabulary natural habitats colours class co
3 apr 2025
CLIL lesson plan: animal habitats
A fun and interactive lesson exploring where animals live, designed for young learners. Worksheet "Habitats Around the World", Primary Curriculum Box, Cambridge University Press 2009 Topic: wild animals, colours, habitats, temperatures Age: 8-9 years old Previous knowledge: vocabulary relating to wild animals, colours, use of present simple Thinking skills: matching, identifying, comparing, creating Language skills: speaking, listening and reading Activating Show students pic
1 mar 2025
Storytelling lesson plan for primary school: The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
📖✨ A mysterious suitcase, a heartfelt journey... 🧳💙 The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is a touching tale of kindness, empathy, and understanding. Topics: life journey / diversity / integration / human rights/ kindness Level: A1 / A 2 Skills: LOTS remember: recall characters and settings understand: discuss why characters are suspicious of the newly arrived HOTS apply: reflect on students’ friendships with peers from other countries. What do they do together? What ar
9 feb 2025
© Flavia Morrone, Tales&Co, 2026. Tutti i diritti riservati. Vietata la riproduzione anche parziale in libri o pubblicazioni commerciali senza autorizzazione
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