6 Reasons to Use Reader’s Theater in Your Classroom!

Do you do Reader’s Theater in your classroom? It’s one of my favorite things I do with my students! I teach 1st grade and I use reader’s theater plays with my students every year. Let me tell you why!!

1. It’s FUN! 😊

But, the BEST PART IS…they don’t even realize they are practicing and improving their reading skills because they love the “acting” and “script” aspect of it! Which leads me to my next point…

2. SO. MANY. READING. SKILLS. 💖

Even with very simple plays, students are working on…

accuracy
fluency
expression
high frequency words
decoding skills
teamwork
creativity
comprehension
vocabulary
reading aloud

One of our fun and simple partner plays!

3. Great for Partner Reading 📚

My literacy stations always have a partner reading component. When my students are working on their plays with a partner or small group, they are so engaged. They want to perfect their words and movements and I LOVE eavesdropping on their little meetings. They come up with so many creative ideas.

4. Speaking, Reading Aloud, and Listening Practice 🎤

We always perform for each other and often for the Kindergarten classes. It’s the perfect time for them to work on speaking loudly and clearly with correct pronunciation.

They also LOVE to watch and listen to their friends read and perform, so it’s a great time to practice listening skills.

5. Repeated Reading Practice 📖

This is a sneaky way to get those little readers reading and rereading, improving, and decoding, without it feeling tedious! Here, they can practice those same skills you work on in reading group every day, but it often feels more authentic and allows them to take ownership.

6. Fosters Creativity 🎨

Once I give them their scripts, how they perform and if they use any props is totally up to them. They always think of the cutest and most creative things that I may not have thought of and I love seeing their excitement.