[PEPteach]

I'm doing a presentation for the school this week on how to use Reader's Theater in the classroom to boost fluency. So far I have some websites where teachers can find scripts and stuff. Does anyone have any ideas to share?

[hescollin]

Check out this web site for "free" reader's theatre scripts
www.aaronshep.com
http://www.lisablau.com/freescripts.html www.readinglady.com

[kristen_teach]

I would include information about having students make their own scripts, especially if this presentation involves grades 4-6. I would like to hear more about managing performances (for example, who is the audience, etc.) and guidelines on props/ costumes.

If you have fluency mini-lessons, this would be great time to share them.

[spartan]

How do you use readers theatre. Do you do it in small group and then use it as a center and present on Friday. Not sure how to implement this into my daily routine

[PEPteach]

I've put Reader's Theater at centers and have them worked on them during that time. I've also sent them home, say, on a Monday, given them about 15 minutes to practice each day (plus assigned practice as homework) and then have them perform on Friday. Remember, they don't need to have the lines memorized or have props. The neatest thing that I've heard about is turning nonfiction text (say a Science lesson) into Reader's Theater. Not quite sure how to do that yet, but I'm going to try!

[chalkdusty]

PEPteach,

I'd like to hear more on this idea. Turning science into a reader's theater project would certainly help the students to understand whatever concept is being studied. hmmmm....

[LaVerne]

Hello,
I did this very thing with my fourth grade unit on the water cycle. I wrote it as if the water droplets were talking to each other and got in most of the vocabulary....transpiration, condensation, etc. I do not have a copy of it here at school, and now I teach Title I reading so I hope I saved a copy at home.

It wasn't hard....just personalize the idea somehow....characters talking about walking through a biome....have a dream about flying over the United States if studying regions. The kids liked reading it and I would like to think that it helped them come test time.

I will look hard at home to see if I can find it and post as an attachment.

[PEPteach]

Thanks, LaVerne!
That sounds like a great idea. I can't wait to try it!

[LaVerne]

...for what it is worth, here is the reader's theater I wrote about the water cycle. It is not perfect, but my fourth graders liked it. I hope I can do this attachment....let me know if it doesn't work.