A homeschooling mom contacted me by email and asked HOW to implement Readers Theater in a family. The following article is my basic email answer to her questions. (I've added a few extra comments for clarity.)
Thanks, Vicki! I understand. Those are excellent questions. I could write a whole book on Readers Theater for homeschoolers, but I'll try to explain the process a little for you.
1. What is Readers Theater?
A basic definition of Readers Theater is two or more people having fun reading aloud. But, of course, it's much more than that. As a proven educational tool Readers Theater builds lifelong skills and confidence
2. How does Readers Theater work?
The website [www.ReadersTheaterAllYear.com] is a resource of Readers Theater helpful information (e.g., tips, checklists...) and downloadable PDF scripts (some free and some for paying members only).
Teachers know what they are teaching (e.g., beginning reading skills, elementary reading skills, health, science, history, literature, Bible, character-building...). Teachers choose a script based on their needs. For example, if a teacher wants to motivate reluctant readers, she may choose an adventure script that also shows a variety of positive character qualities in the characters (e.g., courage, kindness, wisdom).
A kindergarten or first grade teachers may choose a short vowel, long vowel, or beginning readers script or a partner play to help build beginning reading skills. Since teachers of all levels often want to teach children about the tragedy of 9/11, they may choose one of our free 9/11 scripts: "9/11 Heroes" and "Never, Never, Never Forget 9/11".
If the teacher still likes the script, she may print out as many copies as she needs for her students. (Sometimes students share scripts.) Script pages are usually stapled together or put into folders. (Some teachers have their students color-code the parts.)
3. Is Readers Theater a booklet?
No, Readers Theater is not a booklet. Readers Theater is a skill-building activity that uses PDF scripts–online or printed on paper. Some scripts are only one page.
4. Is Readers Theater a daily lesson?
Some teachers choose to build lifelong skills in their students with regular Readers Theater–enjoying it every day or every week. Other teachers only use it for special unit studies or programs.
5. Do they read Readers Theater scripts aloud?
Yes! Since a Readers Theater script is reread aloud several times students improve fluency, comprehension, and confidence while having fun. Sometimes students even memorize their parts, but that's not necessary.
6. Do they do it in a group?
Readers Theater scripts may be practiced alone; however, they work best with buddy reading or in a small group. If there is only one child, a Readers Theater script may still be performed; but, the child will need to change voices for the different character roles. For large groups Readers Theater may be performed chorally or include a chorus.
7. What does Readers Theater LOOK like? Teachers choose how to use the scripts with the students. Here are a few ways:
A. Traditional
• Introduce vocabulary.
• Read the script aloud chorally as a group.
• Ask for volunteers for the parts.
• Assign parts.
• Practice reading aloud with proper pronunciation, speed, projection, and interpretation.
• Change parts and repeat the process.
Eventually, students may add gestures. Students may practice their parts for 1-4 days and then do a performance for an audience (e.g., stuffed animals, pets, family, friends, relatives, nursing home, assisted living...).
Some teachers make videos or podcasts of their students' performances (e.g., for documentation, for memories, to share with others who couldn't attend the performance).
B. Partner Plays or Puppet Plays
• Choose a script for two partners or two choral groups.
• Review vocabulary, if needed.
• Let students take turns reading to each other, changing parts so they practice both parts. They become each other's audience.
• If it's done as a puppet play students may change voices for the puppet voice. For an audience for a puppet play it's best to record the sound ahead of time so the audience can hear better. Students can have the puppets act out their roles.
C. Long-distance Creative Connection
• Send a copy of the script to someone special (e.g., Grandma, Grandpa, cousins, missionaries...)
• Have students practice the script a little on their own (to build fluency and confidence) or do a cold reading with someone special on the phone or on Zoom. Some teachers have Skyped or Zoomed Readers Theater plays with classes in different parts of the country or the world. One group presents to the Skype/Zoom audience and then they switch so the audience becomes the next performers.
D. Student Directed
•Teachers OR students choose an appropriate script (e.g., from a learning center, notebook, file of collected scripts).
• Assign a "student director" to be the facilitator for rehearsing the script. That student director makes the final decisions. (Rotate student directors.)
• Encourage students to rehearse and perform the script for an audience (e.g., teacher, parents, other students, relatives...). Or, students practice alone and the teacher tweaks the presentation for another performance (e.g., for a program...).
8. How can you enjoy Readers Theater in YOUR family?
As you can see, Readers Theater may be enjoyed with a mom and one child, two siblings, a group of siblings, a family celebration, a cottage class of homeschoolers, a homeschool drama club, a free conference call to include readers from other locations, and more. I've even heard of a Readers Theater birthday party!
Homeschooling with Readers Theater can overlap just about any subject, any grade level, any unit study, any holiday, any family devotional time, or any family celebration. Of course, it's more fun with some sort of a performance.
Once students are familiar with Readers Theater they can also WRITE their own scripts. The scripts are not memorized. It's a theater of the imagination. No props. No sets. Just fun. The easiest way to enjoy Readers Theater in a family is to just choose a trustworthy script and try it.
There are lots of scripts online, but Readers Theater All Year makes it easy by providing a growing LIBRARY of scripts (e.g., adventures, biographies, health, history, holidays, science, social studies...). Even beginning readers will enjoy the scripts written at their level (e.g., short vowel, long vowel...). And, many scripts are character building. Readers Theater easily builds a variety of lifelong skills and confidence in any homeschooling program. It's buried treasure for homeschoolers! What's the next step for you?
