Readers Theater

1. Divide students into small groups. Explain to them that readers theater is a way of dramatizing a story by turning the information of a particular text (novel, short story, poem or newspaper article) into a script. Assign each group to choose a section of text from a piece the class is studying. Allow time for groups to translate their texts into scripts. Encourage students to think about what particular people are saying and doing in the piece theyve chosen. Have each group assign various roles. Besides characters, each group should have a narrator. Have individual students practice reading their scripts silently. If they are unsure of any words, encourage students to use a dictionary and practice enunciating each word until it can be spoken comfortably and clearly. Allow time for individual students to practice reading their scripts out loud. Encourage students to project their with exaggerated facial expressions and hand gestures to make the emotions of each character clear. Have groups perform their selections for the class, in chronological order if they are each doing sections of the same long piece. Encourage the audience to listen carefully and write down any questions they may have about the action or dialogue.

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Ask students to describe the easiest and hardest aspects of translating a text into a live performance.