Open the Book
Bible storytelling in local Primary
Schools by local Christians
“Open the Book” is an exciting, ambitious, successful project to tell 30 Bible stories in collective worship in local Primary Schools.
The stories are mainly based on the Lion “Storyteller’s Bible” accompanied by high impact visual aids and simple drama. The thirty, ten-minute stories are in sequence giving ‘snapshots’ of the whole Bible. (Sample stories)
We have successfully completed our sixth full year of storytelling. (How it all started)
All the schools in which the project operates have requested that we come back and share some more stories with them during 2006 - 2007.
There are other schools asking that the project be made available to them. Each school should be served by a team of local volunteers drawn from local Churches of different denominations. We need many more storytellers.
‘South Coventry Churches’ are supporting this project.
‘Open the Book’ is offered as a free service to our local Primary schools. The project draws on the skills, talents and the hard work of a lot of people. All of them have a keen interest in education and are active in their own churches. All are giving of their time free and freely.
Are you interested in being a storyteller in one of these schools? (Local Christians needed)
If so, then we would like you to contact
Project Coordinator:
Bridget Coppard - 76503318
email: coppard@cv35dj.freeserve.co.uk
Committee Member:
Ellie Hollings - 76419870
email: ellie-hollings@beeb.net
How Open the Book started
In 1998 a member of a Church in Bedford was inspired by the Bible Society’s ‘The Open Book’ initiative to start ‘Open the Book’ and the project started in their schools in September 1999.
In January 2000 Bridget Coppard, of St James Church in Styvechale, heard about the success of the Bedford project and realized that there was an opening for such an initiative in Coventry.
We started in Coventry schools in September 2001.
Sample Stories
A Special Promise - Noah’s Ark
This story comes from Bob Hartman’s Lion Storyteller Bible. The story is told with the aid of colourful OHP acetates and contains repeated phrases with amusing actions and sounds for the children to join in.
Jonah The Groaner
This is told as a humorous poem (or rap!). A colourful boat front and a large fish shape, big enough for Jonah to hide behind.
The Big Spender
Another Bob Hartman story, this tells the story of the prodigal son. A life size father stands centre stage with a three-foot pig. Simple drama portrays the wayward son during the story telling.
Titles of the 30 Stories
Presented once a week in collective worship over a school year
Old Testament
In the Beginning Ruth
A sad day (Adam & Eve) Samuel hears a voice
A special promise (Noah) David the giant killer
God’s friend (Abraham) Elijah and the widow
Joseph the dreamer Helpful servant (Naaman)
Joseph the ruler Jonah the Groaner
The secret baby (Moses) Daniel and the lions
The great escape (exodus) A time to build (Nehemiah)
The fall of Jericho (Joshua)
New Testament
The first Christmas The great parade
Who is this Jesus? Road to the Cross
The storm on the lake A happy day
The marvelous picnic Back to Heaven
The kind stranger (Good Samaritan) Pentecost
The big spender (Prodigal Son) The First Christians
Jesus and the children
Copyright - South Coventry Churches