Readers Theatre
Literacy Strategy
What is it?
In a readers theater, students are given a script which is adapted from grade level literature and they perform the script. Although they do not have to use costumes or props, I have seen it used with props and without. This is a great way to give reading their literature purpose. The ultimate goal of this strategy is to help student's feel more confident in their reading skills as well as enhance their reading skills.
Why use it? Who would you use it with?
- Helps enhance fluency
- Helps enhance comprehension
- Helps ELL students
- Pre-K-5th grade
Instructional Steps:
- Research readers theaters plays
- Model expressive reading
- Try choral and echo reading (read together as a group or you read a line and students repeat it)
- Assign readers theater roles
- Form readers theater groups
(according to the blog weareteachers.com)
Sample Script
"The Hare and the Tortoise"
What can this look like?
Students visually representing their role
Sample Script
"Dog and Bear: Two's Company 'Ice Cream'"
My Own Experience with Readers Theatre
The first time I heard about the readers theatre literacy strategy, I was in Block B and it was Dr. Levin's Literacy course. I didn't understand what a readers theatre was or how it worked but as we did an example in class, I've come to the conclusion that I will use it in my own classroom. I love the idea behind a readers theatre and I love that it is a strategy to help struggling readers as well as engage those students who are not.
While working as a SPED para, I've used this strategy with my struggling readers and I can honestly say that they love the fact that they can act out these stories. It's a way to get them engaged without feeling like they're dragging their feet.
Fun way to get students up and engaged
Readers Theater 2009 The Stinky Tofu Man