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Reader's Theatre
Purpose:
Encouraging readers to read text out loud with expression and intonation is an important part of fluency development.
How:
- Choose a script that the group can read independently
- Provide a copy to each reader
- Have readers read through the script silently
- Divide the roles among the group
- Encourage readers to mark their script (highlight or circle their speaking parts)
- Read your script together
- Repeat
Note: Reader's Theatre is a reading strategy and does not require readers to memorize their scripts. Instead reading the script repeatedly will build ease and speed of reading.
Practice:
Try these tips for teachers new to Reader's Theatre provided by Reading Rockets:
- Choose only scripts that are fun to do with lots of good dialogue. Boring scripts are no better than boring stories.
- Start slowly and spend the time necessary so readers feel comfortable in the performance mode. Provide opportunities for readers to practice. Readers do not memorize their parts; they always read from their scripts.
- A stage is unnecessary. Readers simply stand or sit in a semicircle.
- Model each character's part and match roles to readers.
- Combine parts if there are too many, and cut out scenes and characters that aren't important. Scripts are not sacrosanct. Change them if they work better another way.
- Work with small groups, not with the whole class, whenever possible.
- Provide instructional support for new vocabulary and for understanding the different characters.
Read More:
The NWT Literacy Council include a great overview of Reader's Theatre in their Family Tutoring resource:
https://www.nwtliteracy.ca/sites/default/files/resources/session6.pdf