<![CDATA[This research is motivated by the importance of instilling a character of tolerance from an early age in Indonesia's multicultural society, yet the practice of intolerance remains a challenge. Elementary schools, as the foundation for character formation, often still use conventional methods that are less effective in internalizing values. The focus of this research is to analyze the implementation of the storytelling strategy as an alternative approach to instilling a character of tolerance in fourth-grade students at SDN 064958 Medan, a school with a highly diverse student body. The research used a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving teachers and students as participants. Data collection was conducted through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, which were then analyzed thematically. The results show that the storytelling strategy was implemented systematically through the selection of stories relevant to the local diversity context of Medan, interactive and creative delivery techniques, and reflective discussions. Key findings revealed positive student responses in the form of high enthusiasm, emotional engagement, and concrete efforts to implement the value of tolerance. It was concluded that storytelling, despite facing time constraints, proved effective as a character learning strategy because it integrated aspects of moral knowing, moral feeling, and moral action, and was able to contextualize the value of tolerance with students' realities. ABSTRAKPenelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh pentingnya penanaman karakter toleransi sejak usia dini di tengah masyarakat Indonesia yang multikultural, namun praktik intoleransi masih menjadi tantangan. Sekolah dasar, sebagai fondasi pembentukan karakter, seringkali masih menggunakan metode konvensional yang kurang efektif dalam menginternalisasi nilai. Fokus penelitian ini adalah menganalisis implementasi strategi storytelling sebagai pendekatan alternatif untuk menanamkan karakter toleransi pada siswa kelas IV SDN 064958 Medan, sebuah sekolah dengan keberagaman siswa yang tinggi. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus, melibatkan guru dan siswa sebagai partisipan. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi partisipatif, wawancara mendalam, dan analisis dokumen, yang kemudian dianalisis secara tematik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi storytelling diimplementasikan secara sistematis melalui pemilihan cerita yang relevan dengan konteks keberagaman lokal Medan, teknik penyampaian interaktif dan kreatif, serta diskusi reflektif. Temuan utama mengungkap respons positif siswa berupa antusiasme tinggi, keterlibatan emosional, dan upaya nyata menerapkan nilai toleransi. Disimpulkan bahwa storytelling, meskipun menghadapi kendala waktu, terbukti efektif sebagai strategi pembelajaran karakter karena mengintegrasikan aspek moral knowing, moral feeling, dan moral action, serta mampu mengkontekstualisasikan nilai toleransi dengan realitas siswa.]]>
