Readers Theatre in the Classroom Teaching with Readers theater In a Reader's Theatre presentations, students read from scripts created by others or their own based on the content of literature and/or a non-fiction text. (this could include any book(including textbooks), newspapers, journals, interviews, news stories etc) Teachers might create a script based upon a specific book or chapter that he or she finds interesting. One great source for readers theatre scripts are the holiday themed scripts written by Jody Weissler. Some Guidelines to Readers Theatre: Generally, there is no stage movement unlike other types of theatre and or dance sessions. The focus is on the content of the reading and the enthusiastic and well read presentation of the reading. To use Readers Theater with Social Studies, students could read a historical novel (or even a chapter of a Textbook) and then select one part of it to script. Most children are not familiar enough with history to write original plays, but they can interpret scenes (or rewrite chapters) created by other authors who have carefully researched the era to be presented. To use Reader's Theater with Science, Math, Art History, students first read the content (text, chapter, book, etc) that the short play is going to be about. Students then identify main ideas and vocabulary that are significant to the topic. An example script might be as simple as a play with a teacher teaching the subject to a class or perhaps a play about a study group. Characters could also be mathematical, science subject personified. examples: a talking triangle or talking stratus cloud. A famous artist might also give a description about his works and time period to provide context for the visual or performing arts material researched in class. Ideas for Writing a Script: Use a narrator. Have the narrator give some context to the presentation by clarifying the time period or by identifying the book or chapters from a book from which the script was taken. The narrator could introduce and describe each character. The narrator could also give the setting and important actions that precedes a scene. Add to the script a description of tone of voice, gestures, or facial expressions that will aid the reader in interpreting the lines. Put them in parentheses after the character's name Readers Theater Scripts