Big Ideas / Guiding Questions

  • Consent & Ownership: Who gets to tell this story?
  • Power & Representation: Whose stories get the microphone?
  • Dignity & Respect: Does this story treat people like heroes, not just victims?
  • Bias & Complexity: Why is one story never enough to understand someone?

Be a Story Steward

  • Stories are sacred and should be handled with care.
  • "Story stewardship" means respecting the ownership, privacy, and emotional weight of personal narratives.
  • Before sharing someone else’s story, ask: “Do I have permission? Is it necessary? Does it honor their dignity?”

Engage Students in Thinking about their Responsibility to…

  1. Be Careful with Other People’s Stories
    • When you tell someone else’s story, you might accidentally change the meaning, leave out important parts, or even make them look bad. Always ask: "Is this fair and true?"
  2. Think about how Who Tells the Story Matters
    • If only certain people (like celebrities or news reporters) get to tell stories, we miss out on other perspectives. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard!
  3. Tell Stories with Kindness & Honesty
    • Don’t pretend to know everything. Be humble, check your facts, and fix mistakes if you make them.
  4. Make People Stronger, Not Sadder
    • Stories should show how people overcome challenges, not just focus on their struggles. 
  5. Work With People, Not About Them
    • If you’re sharing a classmate’s story, involve them in the process! Ask: "How do you want this told?"
  6. Avoid "Single Stories"!
    • Don’t define people by one idea (like "all athletes are dumb" or "all artists are moody"). People are complex!
  7. Question Popular Stories
    • Some stories get repeated so much (like stereotypes) that they make others feel invisible. Ask: "Whose side is missing here?"
  8. Avoid "Shock Stories"
    • Don’t share sad or scary stories just to get attention. It’s disrespectful.
  9. Connect Others through Stories
    • Use stories to help people understand each other, not to trick or persuade them unfairly.
  10. Give the Full Picture
    • Add details so people don’t jump to the wrong conclusion.

Suggested Activities

  • "Story Detective" Game: Give students a news headline or social media post. Have them discuss: "Is this fair? Whose voice is missing? How could we tell it better?"
  • When is it okay to share someone else’s story?
  • Role-play scenarios where students ask for consent to share a peer’s story.
  • Create a storytelling guide for your class based on these ethics.

References