LLED 411 Readers' Theatre Lesson Plan

Carol Kacer & Melissa Kalwanaski

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Title:

            Readers' Theatre

Subject:
            LLED 411

Grade:

            College

Objectives:

To define readers' theatre.

To understand the concepts of the readers' theatre and how it can work to further their own students' understanding of a work. 

To have the ability to apply this activity in their own classrooms.

To understand importance of peer feedback through practice.

Rationale:

To inform pre-service teachers of alternative modes of deepening students' understanding of literary works.

Instructional materials:

            PowerPoint presentation

            Computer

            Screen

            Projector

            Sample activity

            Readers' Theatre evaluation form

            Highlighted scripts

Overview/Content:

Leading the class through a presentation and evaluation of an example of Readers' Theatre followed by a PowerPoint Presentation further explaining its use. 

Lesson Activities/Procedure:

• Begin by passing out Readers' Theatre evaluation forms.  Students should briefly scan the handout.  (1 min.)
• FIVE students will be chosen to help in the Readers' Theatre demonstration.  Each student will be asked to come to the front of the room where they will be assigned their characters and given their (highlighted) scripts. (2 min.)
• While the actors are reading over their scripts we will explain the evaluation form and ask the remaining class members to use it to evaluate the performance.
• Students will then perform the piece.  (3-5 min.)
• Following the performance there will be a brief class discussion about the activity.  During this discussion the teachers will make sure the discussion includes the perspective of the performers as well as that of the audience members.  (5 min.)
• After the discussion, the instructors will give the PowerPoint presentation, which will define and further explain Readers' Theatre including: it's purpose, process, feasibility, activities that other teachers have used (from journal articles).  One of the major themes will be the use and creation of the script according to grade level.  For this, we will explain how a teacher can create a script as opposed to having their students create them. (5 min.)
• Open the floor for questions.

Assessment/Evaluation/Practice;

There will be an informal evaluation during class discussion and the question and answer session.  Students will also be given a chance to practice both performing and evaluating Readers' Theatre. 

Standards:

            1.3.11.A

            1.3.11.B

            1.3.11.C

            1.3.11.E

            1.3.11.F

            1.6.11.A

            1.6.11.B

            1.6.11.C

            1.6.11.D

            1.6.11.E

Reflections/Notes:

 

 

 

 

Resources/Citations:

            http://www.aspa.asn.au/Projects/english/rtheatre.htm

            http://www.humboldt.edu/~jmf2/floss/rt-eval.htm

            http://www.comm.unt.edu/histofperf/rt2.htm