ELL Instructional Strategies: Readers Theatre by Maja Sabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq By Maja Sabljak and Marissa Almeida en-us 2021-12-01 20:50:22 UTC 2025-12-18 17:38:37 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f3ad.png English 📚 majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923792458 Inherent to the English subject are narratives and plays. These written works create plenty of opportunity for the Readers Theatre strategy to be implemented, so long as they reflect the reading level of the ELL student(s). By extension, this strategy might also help all students develop a deeper understanding of the plot and characters as they step into their shoes. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:02:33 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923792458 Drama 🎬 majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923792549 Within Drama, Readers Theatre can be conducted in regards to plays, short skits, and movie scenes. These written works will assist ELL students to help process emotions and problems experienced by characters in a text by using vocal expressions. It's imperative to use written works that are properly suited for the student for student success. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:02:37 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923792549 Social Studies / History 🌎 majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923792727 Social Studies and History are excellent subjects to use Readers Theater in! A Readers Theater asks students to create a performance that reveals a message, theme, or conflict represented by the text, for example using reader theater to depict a treaty or a debate. This will help ELL students become more proficient at using the words of the text to depict ideas and concepts. Also, this is an effective way to improve ELL students’ reading comprehension and oral speaking skills, while also building relationships with their peers in an engaging way. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:02:46 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923792727 Comprehension marissaalmeida15 https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923799267 This will help with reading comprehension as students will essentially need to place themselves within the characters' mindsets to understand and assess how that character is feeling in order to vocalize their script as accurately as possible. 

Auditory learners might benefit from watching other groups perform, too. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:08:10 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923799267 Peer-to-Peer Relationships marissaalmeida15 https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923802565 This will help ELL students build relationships with their peers as it can be conducted in a group activity. The teacher can also pre-determine groups to help ELL students feel more comfortable and confident as the activity is conducted. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:10:54 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923802565 Multiple Learning Styles marissaalmeida15 https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923806441 This strategy provides a visual and auditory representation of content and is a form of differentiated learning. Kinesthetic learners will benefit from being able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills using facial expressions with the freedom to move around if needed, and visual learners will benefit from being able to view these performances. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:14:10 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923806441 Modifiable to Individual Needs majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923806766 This strategy is also easily modifiable depending on the classroom make-up. To lower the affective filter, dramatizations can be pre-recorded rather than performed live. If the classroom is made up of varying reading levels, different literary works can also be assigned to each group. ]]> 2021-12-01 21:14:27 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1923806766 Application to Drama: A Great Introductory Activity marissaalmeida15 https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1925469174 Readers Theatre can be used at the beginning of a secondary school-level drama course to help students practice their vocal expressions and also gradually become more comfortable in larger group settings. ]]> 2021-12-02 15:45:36 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1925469174 What is Readers Theatre? marissaalmeida15 https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1925480879 Students are divided into groups to perform a literary work. These works can range from narratives to plays but should reflect the ELL's reading level. Scripts are not required to be memorized, and while props and costumes can be used, the focus is on vocal expression.

Teachers should expect to dedicate multiple class periods to this instructional strategy. The procedure is as follows:
  1. The teacher selects an appropriate literary work. Each copy of the dialogue script will include highlights for the individual character. 
  2. The teacher models a sample excerpt to showcase the learning goals and expectations regarding vocal expression. 
  3. Students practice reading their scripts aloud in their groups, with each group rotating between characters. The teacher should be conducting walk-arounds at this time.  
  4. Students take home copies of their scripts to practice at home.
  5. Students perform their scripts. 

Because this strategy takes place over several class periods, it is important that the teacher evaluates when the students are ready to move onto steps 4 and 5 through observation and student feedback.
]]> 2021-12-02 15:50:22 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1925480879 How should this strategy be used? marissaalmeida15 https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1925501748 This can be conducted formally as an assessment or informally as a fun learning activity. Readers Theatre also has applications to a variety of subject areas. ]]> 2021-12-02 15:59:21 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1925501748 majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1928786610 2021-12-04 14:15:49 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1928786610 Which grade levels can I use this strategy with? majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1928790730 Readers Theatre can be used at all grade levels, although it is most commonly used in the junior-intermediate range. ]]> 2021-12-04 14:21:03 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1928790730 Application to English: The Great Gatsby majasabljak https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1928863103 F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, is commonly studied in high school English courses to open up critical conversations about social class and humanistic ideals, alongside its cross-curricular connections to 1920's history.

Readers Theatre can be used as an instructional strategy to support reading comprehension of The Great Gatsby and simultaneously enhance oral language development. For ELLs who benefit from visual aids, The Great Gatsby has also been adapted into a graphic novel as an alternative option to support their performance. The graphic novel format might help students make deliberate choices regarding intonation by referring to how the characters' facial expressions are illustrated. ]]> 2021-12-04 15:53:15 UTC https://padlet.com/majasabljak/cqv88ravtu1k3taq/wish/1928863103