I recently read that 95% of people have a great fear of Public Speaking. Does that describe you? Chances are, if you're an Educator, you're probably comfortable getting up in front of SOME people because you do it on a regular basis! But what about your students? If this statistic is accurate, and I believe that it is, then that means that the remaining 5% of people will rise to the top as leaders among their peers. That 5% will have an edge academically and socially and will carry influence with their thoughts and opinions. Have you ever thought about how important it is to give your students opportunities for Public Speaking, even at the elementary ages? You're giving them a head start when you make time for Readers’ Theater in your classroom. Readers’ Theater is an excellent tool to introduce public speaking in a non-threatening way!
We’ve spent the past few weeks in January talking about Readers’ Theater. Hopefully, you’re excited to put Readers’ Theater to work in your classroom transforming your students into readers for life and helping them to take that important first step towards becoming comfortable with public speaking! Last time we covered my 6 Steps to a Rewarding Readers’ Theater Experience. Now I want to build on those essentials.
So how can teachers really get the most out of their Readers’ Theater time?
*Make sure that you start with a great high interest script. I’ve taken the time to create wonderful scripts for both primary and middle grades. One of the most popular Readers’ Theaters is the timeless classic The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. You can find it here.
*Take some time to pull out some vocabulary words that you want to emphasize throughout the week. Write them on the board, or on a poster and have them readily visible throughout the week. Teach the words before you introduce the script and refer to them often. You could also have the students underline the vocabulary words in their own script.
*Establish your guidelines for expectations for working in the groups. One of my go-to guidelines is requiring that all students must be following along with the script in front of them as others are reading aloud. This strategy helps your students familiarize themselves even more with the words, phrases, characters because they are hearing it AND reading it at the same time. This also ensures that all of your students are on task and engaged learners who are paying attention!
*Take a few minutes each day to kick off your Readers’ Theater time with some reading skills mini lessons! You could do one on punctuation and how it changes the way that a sentence is read. (So fun to put some silly sentences on the board and have students read them differently as you change the punctuation at the end!) Or you could focus on elements of literature in your script by allowing them to develop empathy with the characters, or thinking through conflicts in the story and how they are resolved. Build their vocabulary by having them describe how the characters are different from one another.
*Remember to give your feedback when your students are in the small groups rather than in front of the entire class. Students will be more receptive to it when they don’t feel like they are the center of attention for the entire room.
*One of my favorite Readers’ Theater strategies is hyping up their performance day. Invite some younger students in to watch your students “perform” their scripts. Allow your students to create some fun props or character name tags. Why not have popcorn for your audience? This day is where your students really get to test the waters of Public Speaking. You have an opportunity to make it fun and memorable.
*When your Readers’ Theater week is over, have your students KEEP their scripts in folders in their desks. These scripts become a super fun way to fill those random free minutes at the end of a day, or after an assembly, or they can be perfect for a substitute teacher to use if she needs some constructive time filler! (It’s always wise to have materials on hand and ready for a substitute teacher to use in a pinch! We ALL have last minute illnesses or emergencies when we just can’t get in to leave sub plans! I have taken the time to create some winter themed sub plans for intermediate and primary grades for you to have on hand… just in case! Feel free to check them out!)
I hope that you have a FABULOUS time using Readers’ Theater in your classroom as you seek to create lifelong readers and equip your students to be comfortable with public speaking!
Please join me next month as we tackle how to motivate those students with Math Phobia! (Hint: Time to get Strategic and Creative! Don’t Miss Out! Subscribe to my email list to get all the latest tips and tricks from The Owl Spot! )
Hope to See You Then,
Martha
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