Rory’s Story Cubes: Story Telling skills

I’ve been asked to review a game recently that I’m really excited about. Unlike some of the random review requests I’ve had, this one actually is a language tool for my students!

Rory’s Story Cubes is a set of nine solid dice with a different image on each side. There are infinite ways to play, and the GameWright website describes many ideas. One technique for the speech therapy session is for one child to roll a die and begin a story using the picture rolled. The next student rolls a different die and uses that image to continue on the story. Using this procedure, players can practice story elements: characters, setting, problem, events, resolution, conclusion.

For example, if my roll was the lightening bolt, I could begin my story, “Not long ago, a boy was born with a lightning shaped scar on his head.” (Hmm… I wonder what The Flash is obsessed with?)

The next player may roll the magic wand and add, “He sensed from an early age that he had special powers. When he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could make the rain stop. When he stared at an object, it would move ever so slightly…”

Since the majority of my children with language delays are working on narrative skills, this game provides for a “fun” way to learn and improve their skills in a game setting. And because Rory’s Story Cubes is visual, it is ideal for many of my students who struggle with auditory and reading vocabulary.

AND, there is even an app for my iPhone so that I can entice students (and my children) with the novelty of technology!

Overall, I am quite excited about this addition to my language activity cabinet. I may even take Rory’s Story Cubes on my upcoming camping trip. The weather forecast is for (big surprise here)…rain. So my kids and I may be hanging out in the tent quite a bit. Telling lots and lots of stories.