What is Reader's Theatre?
Reader's theatre is a strategy for developing reading fluency. It involves children in oral reading through reading parts in scripts. In using this students work to memorise their dialogue and ability to project their voice clearly and with a loud voice. It is also about helping children with their ability to perform in front of an audience.
It promotes fluency, it helps readers learn to read aloud and with expression whilst building reading confidence.
How to run a Reader's Theatre?
Begin with very easy scripts. It is important at the start that children do not have to think about how to read the words.
Select scripts that involve many readers.
Short scripts are best in the beginning. Children need to learn to listen to the Reader's Theatre script just as much as they need to learn to read the script.
Provide each reader with a separate script, highlighting his or her part with yellow (or another appropriate colour).
Give the readers the opportunity to read the script to themselves silently, and to read their parts to themselves aloud.
Provide the group with time to 'perform' the play.
Sample Reader's Theatre Video