Reader's Theater

     I hope that you're enjoying your second grader's Reader's Theater experience so far. I have certainly been encouraged with our start. This can be a very fun and rewarding program when we all understand the goals and benefits of Reader's Theater.

     I wish I could say that I invented Reader's Theater, (ha ha), but, of course, I didn't. I may not have invented it, but, after having used it for six complete years and beginning the seventh, I can say wholeheartedly that it works! Reader's Theater is designed and intended as a reading fluency tool. If you wonder what fluency is, just think about fluent speaking. Just as fluent speaking is smooth and without verbal stumbles and hesitations, fluent reading is smooth. We want readers to be fluent because there's an obvious connection between smooth reading and comprehension, which is the entire goal of reading. If a reader doesn't understand what he reads, many school subjects will be much more difficult and reading will not bring the pleasure that those who love to read know it can bring. Reader's Theater, then, aims at better comprehension by seeking to improve reading fluency. The only way this can happen, though, is if it is used as it is intended to be used. This means the children must PRACTICE, PRACTICE,  and PRACTICE some more! None of the benefits of the program will be realized if the students take their scripts on Friday and leave them untouched until the following Friday's performance. Reader's Theater is literally a waste of time if it is used this way. The benefit comes from the repeated reading as children practice. Fifteen minutes per night can give a great boost to fluency.

     Why is oral expression important? We stress in second grade that oral reading should be "interesting" to listen to because of the expression used. Good readers add expression to their oral reading and it just makes sense that adding appropriate expression indicates that a reader understands what is being read.

      Those are the benefits of this program, and what more vital benefit could your child have academically than good reading comprehension? This will help them in countless ways as they continue their education. I really encourage you, then, to use the program to best benefit your child's reading. It takes time from you to practice, but it will be time very well spent!