Reader's+Theatre

**Reader's Theater!** by: Sarah Rock Reader's Theater is a strategy used that combines oral reading and performing. Students "perform" by reading aloud scripts created from grade-level text.

Main goal: The main goal of Reader's Theater is to enhance students oral reading skill and confidence. Reader's Theater gives studnets the ability to read text repeatidly, gaining practice and confidence while reading the script out loud in front of the class. They are practicing reading with a purpose.

Why Reader's Theater?
 * Builds on
 * Fluency
 * Comprehension
 * reading confidence
 * Reader's learn to read aloud with expression

How to Use Reader's Theater
 * Choose a script to use
 * Choose students and assign reading parts
 * Review how to read with expression!
 * Reading without expression in a play is unacceptable
 * Model each characters part to reader's
 * Give students time to practice reading thier script aloud independently
 * Students perform the script in from of the audience

Choosing a Script: Tips for Teachers:
 * Choose an entertaining story line to involve all students
 * Fun characters, clear plots, and comfortable language
 * Equal amount of reading per character
 * Start easy
 * You can purchase, download, or make scripts up!
 * Students do not memorize parts
 * A stage is unnecessary
 * No props or costumes are needed (There is more of a focus on reading aloud rather than performing).
 * Provide instuctional support for new vocabulary and/or characters
 * Combine parts if there are too many
 * Start slowly! Give students ample time to practice and gain confidence
 * Use small groups

//"Reader's Theatre motivates reluctant readers and provides fluent readers the opportunity to explore genre and characterization." -Cara Bafile //