Story Name:  Discover your special interests and put them to work!

Teacher’s Notes:

a.  Key topic

Through this story we help kids explore their own interests and indicate that even when it seems like they are playing, they are actually learning more about the world.  We further proceed to explain that their special talents and interests can be turned into skills which kids can utilize in a job or business when they grow up.

b.  Concepts Introduced to the kids through the Story

• Realize that everyone has different passions and special talents
• Find out that our passions and talents can be transformed into valuable skills
• Understand that our interests as adults mostly stem from our childhood experiences and early exploration of our special talents.

c.  Learning objectives for the Kids

• Identify passions and special talents they possess
• Figure out how to best utilize their special talents
• Think of ways that passions and talents can be transformed into a career and livelihood
• Realize that doing what you love makes you happy

d.  Tips for Teaching through Storytelling

When teaching youngsters we need to use a slightly different approach than when teaching adults, meaning that youngsters relate better to visuals, examples and stories (real life examples/stories are even better) and interactive technology.  Also, young kids do not need a lot of jargon, they need a much simpler vocabulary that they can understand.  In addition, the teacher has to figure out a way to relate to the kids and there are a number of things that can be done in this direction from the type of clothes the teachers wear, to the language they use, the way they move about in the class, etc.

Storytelling is more than just reading the words of a story out loud.  It takes other skills as well.  It is important for teachers to use different tones in their voice when they are telling a story.  If the teacher’s voice stays at the same level it becomes boring!  The teacher will want their voice to go higher and lower, louder and softer.  Teachers should try to use different voices for different characters and make sure that they speak loud enough so that everyone hears them, and say the words clearly so that everyone can understand them.

Teachers should also have in mind that storytelling is not just words; it is motion as well.  They will have to move around when they tell their story; they should use their arms, legs, hands and their face to tell the story.  In addition, they have to make sure to maintain eye contact with their audience.  Eye contract is one of the most important non-verbal ways to connect with other people.  It helps keep the attention of the audience and it also conveys a sense of confidence and truthfulness.  It is best that teachers always look directly into the kids’ eyes; they will connect with them and keep their attention longer.

e.       In-class discussion after the storytelling

v  Explain that all of us have special interests and ask the kids for some examples they know of.  Follow with a discussion of their examples.

v  Describe situations where special interests have been transformed into job skills and ask the kids for some examples from they may know.  Follow with a discussion of their examples.

v  Ask the kids the following questions and discuss their answers.  Usually there is time to take and discuss the answers of 2 to 3 kids.

o   What were Madya’s special interests and how could they be combined into a job?

o   Do you have any special interests or talents?  If yes, what are they?

The Story

The Soccertopia Eagles kids have just gathered for their usual after practice chat with Mr. Soccerball.  Madya casually asked:

-So what are we going to talk about today Mr. Soccerball?  Something interesting, I hope?

-Of course Madya, replied Mr. Soccerball.  He then turned to all the kids and said:

-Remember a few years back when we started having our discussions right after practice, Fiducius had asked the question “How does one know what they will be when they grow up?”  If I remember correctly, Fiducius told us that he was thinking about what he will be when he grows up because his older sister always talked about how she wanted to be a pilot and fly planes.

-Oh my god, I cannot believe that you remember that Mr. Soccerball, said Fiducius bewildered.  Yes, my sister always liked planes.  When she was little she really liked to play with toy planes and when she was in her teens she was flying model planes through a remote control.

-So, what does your sister do now? asked Mr. Soccerball.

-She is in her first year of college sir, replied Fiducius and she is studying to become a pilot.  She is still crazy about planes and flying.

-This is wonderful, to be doing what you love is simply wonderful said Mr. Soccerball.

-My dad says if you love what you do, your work life is very enjoyable, said Madya.

-This is absolutely true Madya said Mr. Soccerball.  He then turned to the rest of the kids and said:

-OK kids, let’s see what it is that makes you tick and how can you turn that into a job.

Madya jumped in immediately and said:

-I love soccer and sports but I also love talking to people and helping people.  Of course, my dream is to play soccer with our national team at the Olympic games some day, but after that I also want to have a job that has to do with sports and helping people.

-I know what you can be, said Lucius.  You can be a soccer coach, just like Mr. Soccerball.

-I have a better idea, said Fiducius.  I was watching TV yesterday and this guy was talking about helping professional soccer players after they are done with their playing career.  He was saying that most retired athletes are down and depressed when they finish their sports careers.  Well, this guy was a sports psychologist, someone who helps people in sports feel better emotionally.

-Wow, said Madya, that sounds like something that I would love to do, and it does combine sports and helping people.

-And talking a lot, Lucius added with a smile.

-This sounds like a good possibility Madya said Mr. Soccerball, and it combines all the things you love doing.

-This is definitely something that I will keep in mind, said Madya.  I am glad that there is such a thing like a sports psychologist.  I didn’t know you could do that.

-I didn’t know about it either, until I saw it on TV said Fiducius.  It is not one of the everyday kind of jobs that we know of.

-Yes, said Madya, it is true.  My older brother for example wants to be a chef which is pretty common.  He is 16 years old and since I remember him, he always meddled in the kitchen and now he is always cooking or baking something.

-You must be eating well in that house, said Lucius.  In my house, my sister always dresses up her dolls and is drawing different types of outfits.  She told our parents and everybody else, that she wants to become a fashion designer when she grows up.

-You see guys, said Mr. Soccerball, how a lot of kids have a special interest which they can turn into a job and make a living?

-Oh yes sir, said Lucius, like my older cousin who always liked to play with toy cars and tear them apart and then put them back together.  Later when he was a teenager he loved Go Karts too.  Do you know what he is doing now?  He is in college studying engineering and he is very good at it.  When he graduates from college he wants to work for Tesla and build electric cars from scratch.

-This is all good said Fiducius, but all I want to do is play soccer sir, I want to become the best soccer player in the world.

-I know that Fiducius, you have told me and your friends, quite a few times, replied Mr. Soccerball.  You do have talent in soccer my dear boy and if this is still what you want to do when you are finishing high school, then you can apply to colleges which have soccer programs and turn out excellent soccer players.  There are quite a few great soccer colleges where you can apply.

-Yes, my mom and dad told me about these colleges said Fiducius because I keep telling them that the only thing I want to do when I grow up is play soccer.

-Turning your passion into a job is really cool Fiducius, added Lucius.  You see, I also like soccer but there is something else that I really like too.

-What is that Lucius, asked Mr. Soccerball.

-Writing stories sir, replied Lucius.  Since I won the Soccertopia story writing competition and won third place in the international story writing competition where I had represented Soccertopia, I kind of like the idea to do that as a job, perhaps become a journalist and then a writer, or combine both.

-This is great Lucius, said Madya, I guess if we all do what we like we will never get bored, and she started singing:

When you find what makes you tick

You are lucky to have found it

Turning your passion into a job

Will make you the happiest of all!

-Well said Madya, said Mr. Soccerball with a smile, so kids you have some thinking to do, to find what makes you tick!