Readers' Theater
a fun way to practice reading with expression
Second graders listen closely to their teacher Amy Hoaglund as she gives them last-minute tips. “Remember to speak loudly,” she said. “And, break a leg!” She explains that this is the way you say “good luck” to actors. The students are delighted to say that to one another.
Her class is about to read four books to their parents and family members through Zoom. It’s a project called Readers Theater—students do not need to memorize their parts; they practice reading them fluently and with expression.
"There was an old lady who swallowed a fly"
"stone soup"
Students Became Experts in their play
In small groups, the students present “The Gingerbread Man,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” “Stone Soup” and “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” They sit in front of backdrops they’ve made themselves and read each story’s classic lines with expression, even adding small gestures.
“The other second grade teachers and I wanted to build up our students’ reading skills, specifically decoding, fluency and reading with expression,” said Hoaglund. “The children worked in groups to become experts in their play."
The event ends with students waving hello to their fans, who all agree that it was a fantastic presentation.
