Reader's+Theatre

==

= = = Reader's Theater =

 by: __Sarah Holmstrom__
__ **Reader’s Theater is…** __ Reader’s Theater is a SDAIE strategy in which students practice reading a story aloud while using oral expression. In Reader’s theater, students do not need to worry about costuming, movement, sets, or memorized lines. Instead, the focus is on the literature and on communicating with the audience through the use of facial expressions, voice, and gestures. This makes comprehending the text meaningful and fun for the student. Students practice reading with fluency for a purpose—putting on a play!

__ **How To Get Started** __ The Teacher can choose a book that is already written in a play format, or adapt a story to become a play. (For instance, I have turned __The Velveteen Rabbit__ into a Reader's Theater script since there is quite a bit of dialogue. Click on the attachment below to read it!) The teacher can l et students know that they are going to practice reading and performing a story that they have already read in class. The teacher should also ask them to focus on using their voices to bring the characters to life, paying special attention to articulation, projection, and voice inflection. Before passing out a script to each child and assigning characters, the teacher can project a portion of the script on the overhead and read it aloud to the students to model reading fluently with energy and enthusiasm. During this time, the teacher should call attention to the importance of pausing correctly; using end mark punctuation to guide intonation, and using varied voice inflection. Students can practice in groups or all together as a class. They may try saying things different ways to see how it sounds. Remember, they are not memorizing these scripts but perfecting their voices.Usually, students practice daily for at least a week before the big performance! Students can perform for their parents, other teachers, or fellow students.

__ **Why Readers Theater?** __ According to The Teaching Reading Sourcebook, recent findings have shown that fluency, including accuracy and speed, is developed on practiced text. Repeated readings are used universally to help poor readers. Readers Theater is a way to repeat the reading in an authentic and stimulating way.

__ **Reader's Theater Resources And Ideas:** __ http://www.mandygregory.com/readers_theater.htm (IDEAS) http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm (SCRIPTS)

__**Reader's Theater Instructions:**__
media type="youtube" key="V96XTdKffg0" height="390" width="480"

__**Reader's Theater Example:**__
media type="youtube" key="hlDUzIt8CSw" height="390" width="480"