Readers Theater Analysis

Description:
Readers Theater is a reading strategy used in all grade levels to improve compression and fluency within literacy. Students are given a script that they must dramatically perform. Unlike within theater productions, costumes, props, and memorization are not needed. By cutting out these aspects of theater, students are able to solely focus on their interpretation and performance of their script. Students must practice their individual scripts through repetition. The idea behind this strategy is for students to have a deep understanding of this text. In other words, this strategy focuses on text in a qualitative way instead of a quantitative. Teachers are encouraged to alter scripts to fit the needs of the class. For example, if

A., discusses the advantages of implementing Readers Theater into any class. The author states that Readers Theater promotes the deeper understanding of literacy; because students are given the opportunity to understand the character's time, setting and circumstance on a deeper level. Another advantage explained throughout the article is that Readers Theater teaches students the value of working together because they must depend on each other throughout the process. Students also learn how to empathize, and understand that everyone is learning and improving as they are. The article also suggests that the biggest advantage of using this method in the classroom is that is energized and motivates students. The success of Readers Theater is rooted in the participation of all students. When students see other students invested they are more likely to invest their time and feel a sense of belonging for doing so. It's important for educators to understand the importance of creating a class culture that is a judge free zone and inviting to all. Along with energizing students, this method also provides students with motivation because it transforms curriculum into student-centered instruction. For example, if student choices from a list of different scripts to read or a character they would like to play, they are more likely to be motivated to analyze, embody, interpret, and present the script. If implemented

Students with special needs and different learning styles struggle with traditional teaching methods such as lecture and textbook focused instruction. As described in the article, these students learn best when their task are broken up into smaller units and when they have the opportunity to preview material. These methods are important to implement when educating students because it makes the workload seem less overwhelming. Another reason to implement Readers Theater in a classroom with distinct learners is that it provides students with the opportunity