Reader's Theater

By Kate Greenberg

Workshop

RT Workshop.mp4

What is Reader's Theater?

Reader's Theater is an interactive and immersive way for students to explore a text. Teachers select an existing script or adapt a classroom story into a script that the students perform. Costumes and props are optional and memorization is not required.

(Reading Rockets)

What does the research say?

Reader's Theater...

Promotes fluency
Helps readers learn to read aloud and with expression
Helps build reading confidence
Enhances comprehension
Encourages re-reading of text
Boosts listening and speaking skills

(Bafile, Connell, Prescott, Reading Rockets)

Testimonials:

Second graders who did reader's theater on a regular basis made, on average, more than a year's growth in reading.
Within 10 weeks of using reader's theater in a fourth grade classroom every student gained a full grade level in reading. After a year the student's gains had jumped three years of growth.
"Research has demonstrated that practiced reading or repeated reading does lead to significant gains in fluency, which is a key element in effective reading programs."
"Readers' theatre provides readers with a legitimate reason to reread text and to practice fluency. [RT] also promotes cooperative interaction with peers and makes the reading task appealing."
"If you want to get your kids reading with comprehension, expression, fluency, and joy, there's nothing more effective than reader's theater."

(Prescott)

Key Terms

Action: In theater, action encompasses the physical movement of the actors as well as their motivations, thoughts, feelings, and deeds
Actors: The people who act out or perform a script
Costumes: Special clothing that actors wear to signify their role in a play
Dialogue: What actors say from the script
Director: A person who helps guide the actors in their performance. In reader's theater the director could be the teacher, a student, or a group of students working together.
Play: A work of drama usually consisting of mostly dialogue intended to be performed live
Plot: The story, what happens in the play
Props: Items that actors use while performing a play to help tell the story
Roles: The parts or characters in a script that actors can play
Script: The text of a play that indicates what the actors should say and do
Setting: Where and when the play takes place
Stage Directions: Instructions in the script specifying what actors should do or other requirements for the play
Staging: How the play is presented
Theater: A collaborative performing art with live performers and a live audience

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Strategies

Getting Started

The teacher should model fluent, expressive reading for students during shared read-alouds.
Involve students in choral reading.
Allow students to try out multiple roles.
Choose one script for the entire class to work on together for the students' first experience with reader's theater.
As students become more comfortable with reader's theater divide them into smaller groups.

Choosing Scripts

Start with a short script.
Start with a script that you have written or found from another source (check out the resources for finding scripts).
Once students are more comfortable they can work on adapting or writing scripts themselves.

Performing

The simplest way to have students perform reader's theater is to have them stand in a straight line at the front of the classroom facing their audience. Movement is not required.
Students can make or be supplied with simple pieces that denote their character, from nametags to hats to full costumes. Since the focus is on reading, extra pieces such as props and costumes are usually minimal. A simple nametag is fine.
Have students stand as they read their parts.
Music stands are helpful for standing students, as this prevents students from holding their scripts in front of their faces and hiding behind them.
Encourage students to read with expression.
Encourage students to listen respectfully as others are reading.
You can have different groups of students read the same script. It can be interesting to note the similarities and differences between different groups.

(Prescott)

Differentiation

Reader's Theater can be easily differentiated for students who are learning English, students of varying reading skills, students with learning disabilities, and younger learners:

Use easier scripts with fewer words for younger or struggling readers.
Write the script with print that is easy to read. The print should be in large, clear font.
Give students their parts in advance so they have plenty of time to practice.
Have students read parts with other students or adults.
When assigning roles, be sensitive to students' individual needs. Assign roles that suit your students.
Provide extra, individual practice if needed.

Extension Opportunity: