Reader's Theater
What is it and what does the research say?
Reader's theater is "an oral performance of a script where the meaning is conveyed through expression and intonation. The focus thus becomes interpreting the script rather than memorizing it" (Scholastic Inc, 2014).
These are typically staged either in a simple reading, or dramatic piece. They can be of a short story, poem, play, or a student's own creative work. In addition to this, "readers theater can be a rich addition to early childhood classrooms that motivates children and helps them develop literacy skills" (Kerry Moran, 2006). Despite a lack of focus on reading rate, Chase and Rasinski (2009), found an increase in automaticity, nearly doubling the expected increase in reading rate. Reader's theater does a great job in delegating roles, holding students accountable, and giving students an opportunity to read and read aloud. It as also been found that "all students improved in letter recognition, text levels, fluency, and comprehension ratings when utilizing a reader's theater (Garrett & O'Connor, 2010). |
Examples of Reader's Theater and Possible Uses
Many examples of reader's theater can be found online either on Youtube or popular education websites. Above is a photo showing a group of students in a class performing a reader's theater. Students take time reading their part of a story. Sometimes stories include narrators and props. You as the teacher can guide the students as much as necessary.
There exists online a plethora of poetry, short stories and even plays that you as the teacher can make available for your students.
There exists online a plethora of poetry, short stories and even plays that you as the teacher can make available for your students.
Video Examples of Reader's Theater
Two video examples of reader's theater are provided below. The first video is from a national Reader's theater event in 2009. This video shows to the extent of the size of groups you could include. This video includes a narrator, which can be a very important role. This video also shows a great example of coordination that can come with a large group for reader's theater.
The second video, on the right, is of older students. This video is an example of how the addition of acting, posing can really bring out the story. It's important that reader's theater isn't just for young students. This can be used at any grade level including ESL/ELL.
The second video, on the right, is of older students. This video is an example of how the addition of acting, posing can really bring out the story. It's important that reader's theater isn't just for young students. This can be used at any grade level including ESL/ELL.
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Online Resources for Reader's Theater
http://www.thebestclass.org/rtscripts.html
Browse and download scripts for your classroom
http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE.html
Various free scripts to use in your classroom
http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm
Scripts geared towards K-3 classrooms
http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/programs/whatisrt.htm
Helpful information about RTs and how to make your own
http://www.readinga-z.com/fluency/readers-theater-scripts/
Free scripts organized by reading level
Browse and download scripts for your classroom
http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE.html
Various free scripts to use in your classroom
http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm
Scripts geared towards K-3 classrooms
http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/programs/whatisrt.htm
Helpful information about RTs and how to make your own
http://www.readinga-z.com/fluency/readers-theater-scripts/
Free scripts organized by reading level
References
Chase, Y., & Rasinski, T. (2009). Implementing Readers Theatre as an Approach to Classroom Fluency Instruction. Reading Teacher, 63(1), 4-13.
Garrett, T. D., & O'Connor, D. (2010). Readers' Theater: "Hold On, Let's Read It Again.". Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(1), 6-13.
Kerry Moran, K. (2006). Nurturing Emergent Readers Through Readers Theater. Early Childhood Education Journal, 33(5), 317-323. doi:10.1007/s10643-006-0089-8
Garrett, T. D., & O'Connor, D. (2010). Readers' Theater: "Hold On, Let's Read It Again.". Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(1), 6-13.
Kerry Moran, K. (2006). Nurturing Emergent Readers Through Readers Theater. Early Childhood Education Journal, 33(5), 317-323. doi:10.1007/s10643-006-0089-8