[radicalreader]

I am doing reading workshop, but for a week i thought about doing a reader's theater, just to give them soemthing different and I think it would show them more about using expression when they are reading. Any suggestions on how to go about doing this in the reading workshop format and what reader's theaters to use???

[teacherdani21]

I can't give you any ideas, but this is a great question, and I would LOVE to hear some ideas as well. I have always been trying to find ways to incorporate Reader's Theatre, but can never find the time to do it. I think my kids would love it!

[iluv3rd]

I suggest you read the entire script aloud first time through. Then talk about the "story," discuss character traits, practice visualizing the setting, etc. Let small groups practice all the parts for a day or two. After that, students choose parts and rehearse for a couple of more days. Finally, they "perform" for their classmates and often other classrooms as well. You can google scripts, look at the archived threads here or purchase reader's theater collections at your local teacher store. I have a couple I like from Scholastic. I have a group working on Spiderella right now and they are having a ball.

[schoolmama]

Would it work to do a reader's theater during the shared reading time?

[angel77]

I agree. I tend to do shorter reader's theatre (Cdn. sp.!!) during shared reading time. I usually have boys and girls alternate or different groups alternate parts and we work on building fluency and expression. At least once every 2 weeks we have a new r's theatre to try and we practice several times over the course of a week.
Occasionally we have gone to a kind. or gr. 1 class to perform.
One of the best for expression was using "Yo? Yes". The kids loved it.