MooreTeach

How did the pandemic impact the use of fictional characters and storytelling in my teaching? Read the latest article from my Substack... Character. Story. Teach.
#storytelling #characters #education #teaching

In three weeks I will be presenting at the SC-AMLE 26 Conference.

#SCAMLE26 #storytelling #teaching

I'm presenting at the 2026 SC-AMLE Conference. The session is titled "Creating Fictional Characters For Teaching And Storytelling". #SCAMLE26 #storytelling #teaching

FROM CHARACTERS... ... TO FRIENDS

What began as characters to help students connect with history became more... (or should it be MOORE?)

open.substack.com/pub/mooretea...

EVERYONE HAS AN ORIGIN STORY... ... AND SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT.

This was the beginning of what would become my passion project.

EVERYONE HAS AN ORIGIN STORY...

open.substack.com/pub/mooretea...

EVERYONE HAS AN ORIGIN STORY... ... AND SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT.

My journey into creating fictional characters and storytelling in the classroom had very humble beginnings.
#storytelling #characters #education

open.substack.com/pub/mooretea...

Jazz up your class lessons by creating fictional characters to be guest teachers. Dr. Gene Orbit is the first guest teacher I have created. How did I start my journey with storytelling and guest teachers? Check our my Substack: Character. Story. Teach.
#storytelling
mooreteach.substack.com

How does storytelling in the classroom benefit students?

open.substack.com/pub/mooretea...

MAKING THE CASE... ...FOR CHARACTERS AND STORYTELLING IN THE CLASSROOM

I have posted my first article to my new Substack: Character. Story. Teach.

Character. Story. Teach. focuses on the development of fictional characters who are storytellers and guest teachers in the classroom.

MAKING THE CASE...
open.substack.com/pub/mooretea...

Dr. Gene Orbit is my newest "friend". He was created to be a guest teacher for me when I returned from a two year retirement and re-invented myself as a science teacher. He has already made a few appearances this school year and he will make many "moore".
#storytelling
#guestteacher
#science

I tell the students "I am the wind" and provide support as needed. I become the assistant. I believe that the more experience a student teacher has, the easier the transition to their own classroom (P4).

After they get acclimated we might co-teach for a bit. Through our discussions and my observations we determine when to increase the autonomy. I provide feedback on a daily basis (including asking them what they thought were their strengths and weaknesses). When the co-teaching part is done.. (P3)

and expectations. I also ask them what their goals are and what they feel they need to most help with. This provides me with a starting point. Sometimes they are ready to jump in after introducing themselves and getting to know the students (observation and helping them). (P2)

I have always taken the position of providing them with as much experience and autonomy as possible (within reason - of course). We meet at the beginning (or before) their time in the classroom is to begin. In that conversation I ask questions to get an understanding of their experience.. (p1)

Judge Otto St. Nicium is presently a concept for a "friend". He is an expert on the US Constitution and judicial system. He has only made one appearance at a school, but it was just for show - no story. Eventually there will be more development.
#storytelling
#historylives
#historygeek

Pioneer Pete was created during the pandemic as a storyteller about Westward Expansion. He had a humble beginning, but has quickly become a student favorite with the "yarns" that he spins, over-the-top personality, "golden spike", and mustache giveaways.
#storytelling
#historygeek
#teachergeek

Major Sideburns began as an idea about two years before the pandemic and brought to life just before it began. During the first year of the pandemic he made appearances on video and in person. #historygeek #storytelling #historylives

George (just George) has been the poster friend of mine for several years now. He has traveled with me to the SCCSS and NCSS Annual Conferences in 2024.

#historylives
#storytelling
#characterstoryteach
#historygeek
#ncss

Johnny From The Frontier was born from the desire to create a character to tell a brief story about the French and Indian War. Since his inception, he has been transformed into an over-the-mountain man who joins the Patriot cause during the American Revolution.
#storytelling #historylives

My "friend" Tommy has not found his niche. Around 10 years ago he first appeared in a parody music video. I created for the New Nation Era. He has made random appearances in various forms. I have ideas to give him a unique identity.

#storytelling
#teachergeek
#historylives

When we began to have "Pirate Day" to teach about the economic & political impacts they had on Colonial Carolina, I thought it would be fun to be Blackbeard. Eventually I decided that I would create a fictional "friend" named Madbeard.

#storytelling
#historygeek
#teachergeek
#characterstoryteach

Determining which one of my "friends" came second is a bit difficult for me. The second and third ones came around the same time. I am going to say that Madbeard (Aarrgh!) was it. He is the most feared pirate to sail the seas.

#historygeek
#teachergeek
#storytelling
#characterstoryteach.

#historygeek
#teachergeek
#storytelling

The first "friend" I created was Mr. Smith. There are two versions of the same character: Boom and Bust. He was created before I knew there would be more "friends" ... before I even had a name for him ... before I had any idea this would be a thing for me.
#historygeek
#teachergeek
#storytelling

Over the past decade or more I have created "friends" (fictional characters - but don't tell my students) who help me teach the content. What began as a fun way to help students interact with what I teach has become a passion project of mine.

Pioneer Pete showing students the Golden Spike from the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Two weeks ago Pioneer Pete visited students to share his experiences during the era of Westward Expansion - the Alamo, Oregon Trail, Gold Rush, Pony Express, and Transcontinental Railroad.

#historygeek
#storytelling
#historylives

Happy Independence Day!

Madbeard spoke to students about the origins of the Golden Age of Piracy and how pirates impacted the economy during this time. He shared his story as he engaged students in learning.

#storytelling
#history
#education
#historygeek

Major Sideburns came to visit students and share the experiences of himself and his family during the #AmericanCivilWar.

#historylives
#storytelling
#historygeek
#education

Earlier this week George visited with middle school students to convince them to support his bid to be known as one of the Founding Leaders of the USA. He told his stories of his experiences with the American Revolution.

#historygeek
#storytelling
#americanrevolution