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The Storyteller Learning Unit
Overview
Grade Level: 9–10 (adaptable for 7–8)
Text: 'The Storyteller' by H.H. Munro (Saki)
Estimated Duration: 25–35 minutes
Mode: Self-paced or teacher-guided
Learning Objectives
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
• Identify the central conflict and theme of 'The Storyteller' (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.5/8.5 - Students read and analyze a variety of fictional texts). • Analyze how irony contributes to the story’s tone and meaning (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.5e/8.5f - Explain the impact of literary devices (including irony) on tone and meaning and 8.5c - Analyze how an author’s language creates mood and tone).
• Evaluate the bachelor’s storytelling techniques compared to the aunt’s (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.5f/8.5g - Compare and contrast characters, events, and narrative elements and 8.5d - Analyze author’s style and word choice and 8.6 - Use textual evidence to support analysis).
• Reflect on the moral implications of storytelling and audience engagement (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.6/8.6 - Develop responses to literature using evidence from the text and 8.5a - Make inferences and draw conclusions about theme and message and 8.7 - Write to explain and reflect on ideas using textual support).
Who Tells the Best Story?
Have you ever heard a story that didn’t teach the lesson the adult wanted it to?
In Saki’s 'The Storyteller,' an aunt and a bachelor tell two very different tales on a train. Let’s see who captures the children’s attention — and why.
👉 Click the next arrow at the top to begin!
About Saki (H.H. Munro)
Click on the image of Saki (H.H. Munro) for more information.
Let’s Read 'The Storyteller'
Read the story carefully. As you read, note:
- How each storyteller captures the children’s attention.
- What each story teaches (or fails to teach).
💡 Tip: Pay attention to tone — serious, humorous, sarcastic?
Read 'The Storyteller'
(alternatively, you can listen to the story by clicking the video)
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
Understanding Irony
Match the items at the bottom with each of the categories above them by dragging them onto the category.
Situation
Reality
Expectation
Drop Here
Drop Here
Drop Here
The bachelor tells a 'moral' story
Children learn to behave
The children admire the bad character
Rewrite the Ending
Rewrite the bachelor’s story so that it does teach a moral — but still keeps the children’s attention!
- 3–5 sentences minimum
- Keep the tone witty or unexpected
- Share with a partner or post in discussion thread
Storytelling Takeaways
Questions:
- What makes a story memorable?
- Do stories need morals to matter?
- How does irony influence reader engagement?
Reflect on what you have learned in this module
Good job!
Module completed
About Saki (H.H. Munro)
1. Satirist of Edwardian England — wrote witty, ironic short stories.
2. Themes: hypocrisy, manners, social critique.
3. Fun Fact: 'Saki' was a pen name from Persian poetry!
The Storyteller Learning Unit
Melissa Kreider
Created on November 7, 2025
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Transcript
Start
The Storyteller Learning Unit
Overview Grade Level: 9–10 (adaptable for 7–8) Text: 'The Storyteller' by H.H. Munro (Saki) Estimated Duration: 25–35 minutes Mode: Self-paced or teacher-guided
Learning Objectives By the end of this activity, students will be able to: • Identify the central conflict and theme of 'The Storyteller' (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.5/8.5 - Students read and analyze a variety of fictional texts). • Analyze how irony contributes to the story’s tone and meaning (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.5e/8.5f - Explain the impact of literary devices (including irony) on tone and meaning and 8.5c - Analyze how an author’s language creates mood and tone). • Evaluate the bachelor’s storytelling techniques compared to the aunt’s (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.5f/8.5g - Compare and contrast characters, events, and narrative elements and 8.5d - Analyze author’s style and word choice and 8.6 - Use textual evidence to support analysis). • Reflect on the moral implications of storytelling and audience engagement (aligned Virginia SOLs - 7.6/8.6 - Develop responses to literature using evidence from the text and 8.5a - Make inferences and draw conclusions about theme and message and 8.7 - Write to explain and reflect on ideas using textual support).
Who Tells the Best Story?
Have you ever heard a story that didn’t teach the lesson the adult wanted it to? In Saki’s 'The Storyteller,' an aunt and a bachelor tell two very different tales on a train. Let’s see who captures the children’s attention — and why.
👉 Click the next arrow at the top to begin!
About Saki (H.H. Munro)
Click on the image of Saki (H.H. Munro) for more information.
Let’s Read 'The Storyteller'
Read the story carefully. As you read, note:
💡 Tip: Pay attention to tone — serious, humorous, sarcastic?
Read 'The Storyteller'
(alternatively, you can listen to the story by clicking the video)
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
learning session / Quiz 1
Who Told It Better?
Understanding Irony
Match the items at the bottom with each of the categories above them by dragging them onto the category.
Situation
Reality
Expectation
Drop Here
Drop Here
Drop Here
The bachelor tells a 'moral' story
Children learn to behave
The children admire the bad character
Rewrite the Ending
Rewrite the bachelor’s story so that it does teach a moral — but still keeps the children’s attention!
Storytelling Takeaways
Questions:
Reflect on what you have learned in this module
Good job!
Module completed
About Saki (H.H. Munro)
1. Satirist of Edwardian England — wrote witty, ironic short stories. 2. Themes: hypocrisy, manners, social critique. 3. Fun Fact: 'Saki' was a pen name from Persian poetry!