Readers Theater: A Rich Resource for Teaching Science and ELA
You’ve probably heard of Readers Theater (RT). It’s a fun, easy way to bring literature to life.RT is a reading activity that introduces students to theatrical techniques without the hassle of props, costumes, or sets. Instead of memorizing lines, students read directly from scripts, using intonation, facial expressions, and gestures to create characters. Children are natural […]
Resources for Educators: Readers Theater
More and more, teachers are requesting educational resources that go beyond traditional teachers guides and activity sheets. So while I do still have those kinds of materials on my website, I’m also offering resources that delve deeply into the nonfiction reading and writing process from an author’s point of view. Some of these resources focus […]
What a Great Idea!
Recently, Minnesota teacher Pam Patron Warren suggested an idea that I wanted to share with you. Pam enjoys using the readers theater scripts I’ve created to accompany many of my picture books, but not in the way you might expect. She uses them as paired passages with the book rather than as a performance. This […]
The Secret of a Great Author Visit
What’s the secret of a great author visit? Preparation. Of course, I need to be prepared. But so does the school community. If students have read my books and are looking forward to meeting me, the day always goes better. The best visits of all happen when students have done meaningful projects related to the […]
Underdogs in the Classroom!
Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs has now spent 6 days in the world, and so far, it’s been getting terrific feedback from kids and adults. Because the book can enhance science lessons and also works well as a gentle lead in for discussions about accepting others and celebrating differences, it’s a great addition […]
Book of the Week: When Rain Falls
Educators often ask me which of my books would work best in their classroom. So this year, I’ve decided to feature a book each week and highlight related teaching materials and strategies. It’s spring! Let’s celebrate by talking about When Rain Falls. This book is perfect for science lessons about weather, habitats, and animal adaptations. […]
Book of the Week: Under the Snow
Educators often ask me which of my books would work best in their classroom. So this year, I’ve decided to feature a book each week and highlight related teaching materials and strategies. Now that we are in the heart of winter, it seems like the perfect time to talk about Under the Snow. This book […]
Book of the Week: Feathers: Not Just for Flying
Educators often ask me which of my books would work best in their classroom. So this year, I’ve decided to feature a book each week and highlight related teaching materials and strategies. Feathers: Not Just for Flying is perfect for science lessons about animal adaptations and how animals use external body parts. It directly addresses […]
Massachusetts Reading Association: Science of Readers Theater Handout
What is Readers Theater (RT)? RT is a reading activity that employs theatrical techniques without the hassle of props, costumes, or sets. Instead of memorizing lines, students read directly from scripts, using intonation, facial expressions, and gestures to create characters that transport the audience into the story. Obvious Benefits of RT · Builds fluency, vocabulary, […]
Having Fun with Common Core: No Changes Necessary
Today we are going to look at two books by April Pulley Sayre. Both can be performed as Readers Theater-style group reading activities with few or no changes. And in the process, students can learn science concepts as well as address CCSS for ELA in the Reading Informational Text #4. Add a discussion of […]