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CNL Narratives
Thematically, the CNL text-image narratives are based on selected narratives of the Anthropocene, which sensitize towards a redesign of the human-nature relationship. As innovative artistic media for science communication, they stimulate imagination and aim to convey respect and appreciation for the diversity and beauty of all life on planet Earth.
The combination of text and image offers diverse opportunities to creatively and artistically implement narratives of the Anthropocene: intermedially and multimodally. These can include picture books, videos, audiobooks, digital kamishibais, stop-motion videos, picture cards, story cubes, and more, which emerge in co-creative processes.
The following first examples were created as part of courses (led by Ioana Capatu and Carmen Sippl) in the primary education program at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria. The CNL project partners accompanied the presentations as critical friends and examined and commented on the possible implementation in teaching and learning. Corresponding learning scenarios will soon be available in "CNL for teaching".
Note: The CNL project partners were involved in the process of creating these stories. The following narratives represent a partial outcome of the work package.
Let the dice roll! Tell stories with Storycubes.
Storycubes by Jasmin Mazal
How can stories be told with dice? How does one actually create a comic? And what does this have to do with environmental protection? These questions are answered by telling a story with the help of four "Storycubes". From this invented story, a comic can be created. The symbols on the dice provide impulses for stories about the Anthropocene and the human-nature relationship. An example is the comic about a wolf that perceives the many scents telling the story of a stone. How the story ends can be found out and told with the help of the fourth cube. After that, you can create your own comics. Only one thing left to say: "Let the dice roll!"
Tags: Dice, Comic, Stories, Anthropocene
The author: Jasmin Mazal was born in Vienna in 1995 and now lives with her partner and cat in Lower Austria. She is a prospective teacher for primary education. Before her studies, she worked as a graphic designer and assistant. In her free time, she unleashes her creativity, whether it's baking or engaging in artistic designs and crafts.
A learning scenario created by the student can be found here.
A throne for me alone.
A Stop-Motion-Video by Sandra Reisinger, Greta Kremser, Raffaela Hofmann, Emine Günes
Experience a moving story with Leopold, the clever lynx, on the shore of a pond. Accompany him on his apparent throne, an ordinary stone that holds royal significance for him. Dive into the world of Leopold, who feels like the king of his realm, watching over his kingdom—until unexpected visitors, the otters, take his place. Discover how Leopold is confronted with discouragement and loneliness as his kingship is misunderstood by other animals. However, the true lesson lies in realizing that true power and happiness do not come from possession or sole rule but from sharing experiences and togetherness.
Inspire your students with this narrative (as a stop-motion video) about friendship, solidarity, and the importance of sharing—a crucial message for young hearts. The video is available in German, English, and Turkish languages.
An audio recording, narrated by Ivo Walser, our project partner from the Bildungsdirektion Vorarlberg (Directorate of Education for Vorarlberg), in the Vorarlberg dialect, is available here.
Tags: Friendship, Mindfulness, Solidarity, Empathy, Perspective Shift, Human-Nature Relationship, Pond Wildlife, Habitat, Lynx, Throne, Inclusion, Multilingualism, Intercultural Education
The Authors: Sandra Reisinger (Bachelor's degree student in Primary Education, Media Informatics), Greta Kremser (Bachelor's degree student in Primary Education, Marketing with a focus on Graphic Design and Website Management), Raffaela Hofmann (Bachelor's degree student in Primary Education, Mindfulness Trainer, Senior Consultant with a focus on Cultural Development, New Work, Leadership, Business Transformation), Emine Günes (Bachelor's degree student in Primary Education, International Sales with overseas experience, Project Management)
A learning scenario created by the studets can be found here.
The Turtle and the Wise Stone
A digital kamishibai by Kilian Frühwirt and Sophie Zimmer
Philosophically, this story explores the theme of self-acceptance: Is it not good to be who we are? Isn't it enough to be oneself? What are the advantages of wishful thinking? Wouldn't we rather be ourselves? How can I accept myself? These questions are addressed in this storytelling (as a digital kamishibai) and its main characters: a turtle and a very wise stone. The digital kamishibai is available in German and English versions as PDF and also as a video (video in German, video in English).
Tags: Children's non-fiction story, Nature, Innovative, Philosophical, Self-acceptance
The authors: Kilian Frühwirt, born in Vienna, moved to Linz at the age of 15 and started studying Primary Education after completing his schooling. In the seminar "Children Research Aesthetically," he discovered his own artistic abilities and expressed them. Sophie Zimmer, also born in Vienna, has been studying Primary Education at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria since 2021. In this seminar, she dedicates herself to her own competencies in art and design for the first time and can foster creativity within the group with her witty manner.
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
Rocky and Rascal: A Stone and a Raccoon
An interactive picture book including activity booklet by Mila Gajic and Meike Kuzmits
Discover with Rocky and Rascal: an interactive picture book including activity booklet for children and teachers
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Rocky, the patient stone, and Rascal, the adventurous raccoon! You may wonder how a stone and a raccoon can be friends? The interactive picture book "Rocky and Rascal" reveals the secret of this unusual friendship through captivating images, vibrant colors, and shapes, demonstrating the importance of our connection to nature. It invites children to embark on a journey of discovery and find their own perspective on the environment. An exciting adventure awaits! And the best part: An audiobook in Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian makes the adventure even more thrilling for all explorers!
Tags: Nature connection, Aesthetic research, Stone, Anthropocene competence
The authors: Mila Gajic and Meike Kuzmits, students at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria, have created "Rocky and Rascal" to promote Anthropocene competence and raise awareness of environmental issues.
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
The Story of the Ladybug Who Finds a New Home
A digital kamishibai by Christine Fauska, Katharina Hiermann and Larissa Leihsner
The little ladybug is on a quest to find a new home for itself and its family. Gathering all its courage, it sets off on the journey. Accompany it on this thrilling adventure.
Tags: Friendship, Appreciation, Empathy, and Perspective Shift
The authors: Christine Fauska (Bachelor's degree student in Primary Education, Order Processing, Passion for the German language, Austrian cuisine, and fast cars), Katharina Hiermann (Bachelor's degree student in Primary Education, Nature enthusiast, Scout, Hobby baker), Larissa Leihsner
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
Schuhu and the silent Stone
A digital kamishibai by Karoline Glaser and Leonie Kancz
Interaction between nature and silence: the story of Schuhu and the silent stone. Experience an exciting tale with Schuhu, the tawny owl! One night, he discovers a stone that doesn't speak. Schuhu is curious and attempts to unveil the mystery of the silent stone. However, the next day, the stone is suddenly gone! Join Schuhu on the quest for the mysterious stone and discover how nature sometimes holds its own puzzles. Created as a digital kamishibai, the story of Schuhu and the silent stone is also available as an audio story.
Tags: Nature adventure, mysterious disappearance, animal friends, forest animals, forest mystery
The authors: Karoline Glaser, a student of Primary Education at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria, is not only a passionate student but also a nature enthusiast and equestrian. With great dedication, she explores nature in her free time, particularly enjoying it on horseback. Her connection to nature inspires not only her studies but also creative projects and stories. Leonie Kancz, also a student of Primary Education at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria, spent a semester abroad, broadening her horizons. Besides her studies, she enjoys playing the clarinet and relishes simple walks and outdoor activities in nature. Her diverse experiences influence her creative works, and she finds nature to be a relaxed balance to her studies.
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
Encounter in the Desert
An audio drama Sophie Göschl, Melina Kary and Emily Ofner
In the dry desert, the young lion Gregor lives with his family. But his hunger grows stronger, and his father's words go unheeded. When the urge for food drives him into the darkness of the desert, Gregor discovers something unexpected – a glowing stone. In his desperation, he embraces the unusual find, unaware that this stone will determine his fate.
A fascinating journey begins, where Gregor will explore not only his own limits but also the magic of the seemingly ordinary. An adventure that shows that sometimes even a small stone can accomplish great things. A heartwarming story about family, courage, and the little wonders that make life so special.
Tags: Audio drama, Family, Courage, Hunger, Desert adventure, Stone
The authors: Sophie Göschl is a student in the Bachelor's degree program in Primary Education in Baden. She also works as a social pedagogue in an after-school program and enjoys spending her free time in nature, in other countries, or reading. Melina Juliane Kary is a student in the Bachelor's degree program in Primary Education at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria, with a Master of Arts in Social Sciences. Besides her studies, she works as a social pedagogue in an after-school program and enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends. Emily Ofner is a student in the Bachelor's degree program in Primary Education at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria. She also works as a social pedagogue in a nursery and spends her free time baking and hiking with her dog.
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
Peter and the Stone: The Adventure of a Little Ant
A comic by Jennifer Klein
Peter is in search of a new adventure and finds a mighty stone that he tries to climb. Can the little ant overcome this great challenge? Follow Peter on his journey and feel how an unusual but beautiful friendship develops. The comic is also available in an audio version.
Tags: Comic, Children's comic, Nature, Adventure, Friendship, Courage
The author: Jennifer Klein is a student at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria. Additionally, she plays professional football in the Austrian Bundesliga as well as in the Austrian National Team. She loves both the teaching profession and sports, combining both of her passions.
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
A ghost with wings
A picture book cinema by Julia Holzner, Nicole Gruber and Celina Pawel
The theme of "pets" has been of great importance in our society for centuries. We humans buy animals and consider ourselves the owners of the creatures that live with us, that we care for and "spoil." However, our beloved pets don't know that they "belong" to us. So who lives with whom – the pet with the human or the human with the animal? To find an answer to this question, the picture book "A Ghost with Wings" will be presented in a school class, either in a German or an English version. The story is about a family who recently moved into an old house. It seems to be haunted. However, in the end, it turns out that no ghost was haunting the house, but rather a little sparrow. The picture book in the form of a PowerPoint presentation is also accompanied by an audio track, which narrates the text written on the slides.
Tags: Unusual pet, Family, a home
The authors: Celina Pawel has been a student at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria since 2021, previously a student at an HLW with a focus on the social field from 2016 to 2021; also since 2019, an assistant at a therapeutic facility with horses for people with disabilities. Julia Holzner has been a student at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria since 2021, previously a student at an HLW with a focus on social action and work from 2016 to 2021. Nicole Gruber has been a student at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria since 2021, previously a student at the Federal Institute for Social Pedagogy in Baden; since 2021, she has been working part-time as a companion for people with disabilities.
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
Two Unequal Friends
A stop-motion video and picture cards by Claudia Gruber and Hannah Ponweiser
Friendships form and change over time. Most often, they are based on shared views and interests. But what if two friends seemingly have no similarities at all? Can they still be friends?
The snake and the stone in this story manage to build a relationship despite their differences. Although this relationship seems very inconspicuous at first, it develops into a deep friendship. However, the snake is the stone's only friend because no one else seems to be aware of his existence. Therefore, she decides to tell every animal that crosses her path about the stone, to ensure that it is not forgotten and continues to be visited.
With these picture cards, the topic of friendship can be worked on. The story provides opportunities for discussion about the basis of friendships and which aspects are important for good relationships. In addition, there are questions on the back of the cards that can be asked to the children. These questions are accompanied by a QR code that leads to the answers. Additionally, a stop-motion video has been created with these picture cards, which can be used as an introduction to the topic.
Tags: Relationships, Friendship, Diversity
A learning scenario created by the students can be found here.
The authors: Claudia Gruber and Hannah Ponwieser are studying the Bachelor's degree program in Primary Education at the University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria.
Daily networking
The show takes the audience on a journey into the fascinating world of spiders, who humorously and informatively report on their daily interactions with humans. Through the lens of "Daily Networking," the complex relationship between humans and nature is reflected in an original way. The spiders, in their role as experts, provide insights into their experiences, creating a multifaceted picture of the interaction between humans and nature.
As part of the subject "Performance," students Konstanze Tauschl, Marie Elisabeth Sebesta, Lucas Chochola, and Lena Kovar have created the fascinating talk show "Daily Networking" with a lot of creativity and imagination. This unique production allows viewers to experience the world of spiders from an unusual perspective – namely, from the viewpoint of these often underestimated arachnids. With the support of Melanie Laibl.
You will find English subtitles in the video. These were created by our partner, the University of Maribor.
Animal Support Group
The protagonists of this animal support group are anything but ordinary. There's the dog who seems to have developed a special fondness for biting his own tail – a quirky habit that he shares with the others in the group. Similarly, a pig joins in, trapped in a perpetual cleaning and disinfection obsession. The humorous gathering gains momentum when a cat with an inexplicable fear of mice shares her story, and a shortsighted parrot reveals his difficulties in recognizing distances.
The creative approach of the students is reflected not only in the quirky characters but also in the amusing way they present the challenges faced by the animals. The support group thus becomes an unforgettable and humorous journey through the eccentricities of the animal kingdom, not only eliciting laughter but also inspiring viewers to see animals in a new light.
Students Larissa T., Nina Kristin H., Alina R., and Carina R. have provided a very humorous insight into the inner lives of animals in the course "Performance." With the support of Melanie Laibl.
You will find English subtitles in the video. These were created by our partner, the University of Maribor.