Readers Theater Play Center

Play is for all children big and small!

By: Erika Rodenbeck
Standard: ELAGSE5RL10:
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature,
including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the
grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and
proficiently.
Academic Purpose:
The students will be able to improve their reading and
comprehension skills through reading scripts that are at the
fifth-grade reading level. The students will also be able to
improve their speaking skills by reading and acting out the
parts in the script. Finally, the students will also be able to
improve their creativity by creating the cover of the
newspaper for the Number the Stars script.
Step By Step Instructions:
1) Ask the students to vote on what was their favorite book
out of the books they have read this year in class. Pick the
three books that have the most votes and make a reader's
theater script out of the books. My students choose Maniac
Magee, Number the Stars, and Crappy Carrots.
2) Collect or buy some props that would enhance the play
then make and print out the scripts for the books. I made
add a comprehensive list of these items below.
3) Tell the students that they are going to make a movie for
the books that they choose.
4) Let the students choose from the scripts and props that The Developmental Growth is Endless:
they want to use to create the movie. If they choose the Social: It helps students develop teamwork by
Number the Stars script have them create the newspaper requiring them to cooperate with one another
cover of "De Frie Danske". to create a great film. It also helps with
5) Give the student who wants to be the director the Ipad or speaking by helping with articulation and
Chorm book to record the movie. enunciation. Finally, it helps students gain
6) Let the students practice their lines then have them communication skills and helps their fear of
perform the reader's theater for the director to record it. public speaking.
7) After the students are finished download the videos and
play the videos for the students to watch during their lunch. Emotional: It helps students develop empathy
Materials for Dramatic Effect: by taking on the character’s emotions. This
One director clapping board, laptop, or camera to record allows the students to understand what it is like
the actors to walk in another person’s shoes. It also allows
Number the Stars: Three book bags, Two plastic coffee students to express different emotions that they
cups, and Eight newspaper “De Frie Danske" (The have a hard time expressing or have never had.
students will create the newspaper covers using paper
and colored markers) Physical: It helps develop body language by
Maniac Megee: One suitcase/ book bag and One book showing that posture and physical demeanor
Crazy Carrot: Four rabbit headband ears and Four fake helps relay the message. This can help students
carrots develop fine motor or gross motor. The
Material for Literacy Development: Eight Number the development depends on what type of acting
Stars Scripts, Six Maniac Megee Scripts, Four Crazy Carrots the students do in the reader's theater.
Scripts
Cognitive: It helps the students improve their
reading fluency, reading comprehension,
reading with stamina, and reading with
emotion. It also helps students improve their
listening skills because they have to listen to
make sure they read their lines at the proper
time. Finally, it helps students gain focus skills
because they have to concentrate on their lines.