GLENWOOD LANDING STUDENTS GET IMMERSED IN SUBMERGE STORYTELLING

In January 2016, Mr. Cory Levine and his staff at Submerge Storytelling have come back to Glenwood Landing School to immerse students in an exciting multi-sensory, hands-on storytelling experience based on NY State Standards and the Common Core. Interdisciplinary lessons include writing and reading comprehension, STEAM (Science, Technology,Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) skills including coding, geography, and areas of social studies including civilizations.
Mr. Levine said, “Submerge Storytelling transforms an entire classroom into the setting of a story. Students interact with and explore this story-world in order to draw conclusions about the story's characters, plot, and themes." Submerge Storytelling also:
  • Entertains children by facilitating a physical and metaphysical environment where children can lose themselves in their imagination.
  • Teaches and assesses critical thinking and problem-solving strategies through a pragmatic educational curriculum.
  • Teaches important life skills and values through text-to-self literary connections.
  • Employs interactive learning strategies to foster a sense of individuality, camaraderie, and community.”
Mrs. Marcantonio said, “From the moment the children walk into the room, you could see the excitement on their faces as they glance at the array of stuffed animals, baseball hats, maps, artwork, and toys…making the story become real!” This year, throughout the month of January, 2nd-5th graders will have five consecutive days of learning with 50-60 minute sessions per day/ per class. 1st graders and kindergarten classes will participate in two consecutive days of lessons with 30 minute per day/per class sessions. All students will explore character traits, collect evidence, and draw conclusions from visual artwork. Additionally, older students (2nd grade and up) will discover clues, break codes, and analyze evidence.
One GWL student said, “Submerge Storytelling creates a learning experience that was extraordinarily fun! Instead of having you only look and listen, you are allowed to touch. I loved the fact that you didn’t get the obvious clues. You had to figure out which clues were important on your own.” Another student said, “It was really fun but you are also learning at the same time. I really liked that there were clues around. You could discover where the main character was.”
Mr. Levine concluded by saying, “Submerge Storytelling is a unique experience that challenges children with complex tasks that build the same higher-order and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in today’s classrooms. Also, as the curriculum evolves, the children study the complexities of character to uncover important themes such as integrity, morality, work ethic, respect, and trust. This combination of academia and values will help turn children into productive members of society.” He added, “We are the only ones doing this distinctive type of storytelling right now.”
Many thanks to School-wide Enrichment Teacher Audra Marcantonio and the SCA for bringing this unique and educational program to Glenwood Landing School. Mr. Levine, CEO/Head Writer of Submerge Storytelling, is a teacher for the New York Department of Education as well as a playwright/actor. Additionally, he has many people on staff including a special education teacher to help out. For more information, please visit www.submergestorytelling.com.
Photo Caption: Article and photos by Shelly Newman                                                                                        
Pictured are Glenwood Landing students immersed in “Submerge Storytelling,” an exciting multi-sensory, hands-on storytelling experience based on NY State Standards and the Common Core initiated by Mr. Cory Levine.