1. Reader’s theater: Improvement Upon Fluency
Alex Krajniak and Damon Brown

2. Definition/Example
The well-rehearsed reading of scripts, with feeling and expression, in front of an audience without memorization, costume, etc. (Graves, 2011)
Example
Short skits involving familiar short stories
Using student’s own ideas and words to create scripts
Graves, Michael F., Connie Juel, Bonnie B. Graves, and Peter Dewitz. Teaching Reading in the 21st Century: Motivating All Learners. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Print.

3. Purpose of Reader’s Theater
Increase student’s performance in:
Fluency
Comprehension
Word Recognition
Helps with student’s to express and explore the affective responses of reading.
Allows students to promote group reading and social interaction through scripts and performance.
Trainin, G., and N. Andrzejczak. N.p.. Web. 24 Oct <

4. Implementing Reader’s Theater
Familiarize students with the script in a mini-lesson
Served as think-aloud’s and modeling for fluency and comprehension.
Allow student’s to choose their roles
Promotes desire and interaction.
Chase , Young. n. page. < theatre article.pdf>.

5. Implementing Reader’s Theater (continued)
Identify any difficulties with meanings, words, etc.
Practice over scripts to improve fluency during performance
Promotes repeated word recognition, fluency
Perform scripts by groups or as a class
Chase , Young. n. page. < theatre article.pdf>.

6. Assessment Checklist for Reader’s Theater

7. Best Method Of Implementation
Small Groups
Whole Class
Any setting where student’s interact with both the classroom and other students

8. Applying Reader’s Theater
Scripts of familiar stories
Should interest the student or contain sections to allow the reader to express emotions
Class presentations
Whole class
Small groups

9. Advantages Helps develop student fluency and comprehension
Develops both verbal and non verbal communication skills
Encourages active listening
Provides multiple intelligences by simultaneously addressing all aspects of learning.
Develops interpersonal relationships and social interaction.
Etc…..

10. Reflection
We believe that reader’s theater is not only an appropriate tactic but and effective way to promote fluency and comprehension. Reader’s theater not only helps develop the whole student in a mini aspect of skill development, but provides a fun and interactive way to promote student learning through different learning processes. All information found on reader’s theater provided more and more support to our decision and we hope to promote this strategy even more so that everyone can benefit it’s development of the student and their reading abilities.

11. Resources
Graves, Michael F., Connie Juel, Bonnie B. Graves, and Peter Dewitz. Teaching Reading in the 21st Century: Motivating All Learners. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Print.
Kariuki, Patrick N., and Sarah A. Rhymer. "The Effects of Readers' Theatre-Based and Tradition-Based Instruction on Sixth-Grade Students' Comprehension at a Selected Middle School." The Effects of Readers' Theatre-Based and Tradition-Based Instruction on Sixth-Grade Students' Comprehension at a Selected Middle School (2012): ERIC. Web. 30 Oct <
Ratliff, Gerald L. "An Introduction To Classroom Performance." Reader's Theater (2011): Web.
Trainin, G., and N. Andrzejczak. N.p.. Web. 24 Oct <
theatre article.pdf
Adams, W. (2003). Readers theatre: A practical guide for school, theater, and community. San Diego, Ca: Institute for Readers Theatre.