Welcome to Our Reader’s Theater Scripts Homeschool Curriculum

Getting Started with Our Reader’s Theater Scripts Homeschool Course

This homeschool drama and speech course is a compilation of short reader’s theater scripts designed to be read by two or more students. Memorization is not required because the focus on this form of drama is on reading the work with expression rather than reciting it. The reader’s theater scripts are easily adapted to single-child households by having a parent read opposite the homeschool student or by having the student read the play in two different “voices.” Be sure to download the Reader’s Theater Introduction, Tips, and How-Tos file. The link is located under the More About This Course tab.

Overview

• 26 weeks
• Includes printable scripts and teaching tips
• Grades: 3–6

Supplies Needed

Corresponding lessons on SchoolhouseTeachers.com; access to the Internet, computer, and printer; a phone video camera, props, or costumes (optional)

What to Do

Go to Class Lessons and download the lesson plan and lessons file. Start with the Day 1 reading assignment. Follow the instructions each day on the lesson plan and check them off when completed.

Course Sample for Our Reader’s Theater Scripts Homeschool Course

What Is Reader’s Theater?

Reader’s Theater is the oral presentation of a written work that is performed with two or more readers. Memorization is not required because the focus of this form of drama is on reading the work with expression rather than reciting it. The readers help the audience to understand and visualize the text through their vocal performance.

Benefits of Using Reader’s Theater

• It gives purpose to reading.
• It helps children develop reading fluency through repetition.
• It increases comprehension since the text must be interpreted for performance.
• It motivates children to read.
• It improves not only reading skills, but listening and speaking skills as well.
• It encourages children to work together.
• Performing Reader’s Theater helps increase self-confidence

What You’ll Find in This Book

This book contains scripts for 2–7 readers. The pieces are grouped into sections according to the number of readers required for each performance. While these scripts were created with Reader’s Theater in mind, they could also potentially be memorized and used for other forms of dramatic presentation.

Example Script:

“How Doth the Little Busy Bee”
By Isaac Watts

Characters: READER 1 and READER 2

READER 1: How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,

READER 2: And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!

READER 1: How skillfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads the wax!

READER 2: And labors hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

READER 1: In works of labor or of skill,
I would be busy too;

READER 2: For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

READER 1: In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be passed,

UNISON: That I may give for every day
Some good account at last.