Reader's Theater
When?
Reader's Theater is when a teacher modifies a story to create a script for students to read dramatically. Each story could be a week-long center during Reader's Workshop.
How?
Materials?
Why?
Reader's Theater helps students practice their reading and fluency skills. When students take on a role in a story, it helps to increase comprehension. Especially if a story or character particularly engages a student, he or she will be more motivated to participate. This activity is also an authentic reason for students to hear and read the same story multiple times as each student has a turn reading for each part.
Resources:
http://www.tips-for-teachers.com/readers_theater.htm#Using Readers Theater in the Classroom
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/readers-theatre-172.html
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/playhouse/
http://www.readinglady.com/index.php?name=Downloads&req=viewdownload&cid=7
http://www.aaronshepard.com/
http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm
Reader's Theater is when a teacher modifies a story to create a script for students to read dramatically. Each story could be a week-long center during Reader's Workshop.
How?
- The teacher selects a script. There are several sources for free scripts on the internet. Several are listed below.
- Day One: Introduce the script. The teacher should read the whole book to students, and model what it should sound like when reading a part. Anything unclear or confusing in the story should be clarified.
- Day Two: Students read over the story and choose the part they would like to play. If there are more than one student wanting to play a role, the teacher determines the roles.
- Day Three and Four: Students practice reading the play aloud
- Day Five: Students perform the play in front of the class
Materials?
- One manila envelope for all of the scripts
- One copy of the script for each student, with each role being highlighted a different color. Scripts could be laminated for reuse.
Why?
Reader's Theater helps students practice their reading and fluency skills. When students take on a role in a story, it helps to increase comprehension. Especially if a story or character particularly engages a student, he or she will be more motivated to participate. This activity is also an authentic reason for students to hear and read the same story multiple times as each student has a turn reading for each part.
Resources:
http://www.tips-for-teachers.com/readers_theater.htm#Using Readers Theater in the Classroom
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/readers-theatre-172.html
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/playhouse/
http://www.readinglady.com/index.php?name=Downloads&req=viewdownload&cid=7
http://www.aaronshepard.com/
http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm