Readers+Theatre+(2)

Name: Tianna Cook ELED 365 November 9, 2010 ** __ Reader’s Theatre __ ** __ Description: __ Reader's Theatre is having students read a script modified from a literature piece. It requires the audience to picture the action from hearing the script being read aloud. This strategy requires no sets, costumes, props, or memorized lines. Instead of acting out literature as in a play, the performer’s goal is to read a script aloud effectively, encouraging the audience to visualize the action. Performers bring the text alive by using voice, facial expressions, and a few gestures. __ Advantages: __ __ Disadvantages: __ __ In class example: __ In your assigned groups, develop a script for a reader’s theatre piece that took place in the time period of when // The Feminine Mystique // was written. (Pg.450) You can create fictional characters, but remember to shape your script around the time frame of this era and the attitudes and beliefs that existed then.
 * Reader’s Theatre is not used solely for language arts; it can be used across the curriculum in subjects like social studies.
 * Reader’s Theatre not only assesses the students’ ability to read fluently, but it assesses comprehension as well.
 * Students not only participate in reader’s theatre, they also can create scripts.
 * Reader’s Theatre allows to student to work collaboratively.
 * If students have not been introduced to reader’s theatre before, it may be confusing.
 * Reader’s Theatre can be time consuming.
 * If students are reading a script from an historical frame and the context lacks a strong story line, interesting characters, conflict, plot action, or humor it may be ineffective.
 * When students are given the opportunity to create their own script, if guidelines and expectations are not directly stated, students can go off onto a tangent.