This post is a continuation of my discussion about using picture books to create science-themed Readers Theater scripts that can help your students meet CCSS for ELA in the Reading Informational Text #4.
See my earlier posts for general information
about Readers Theater, suggestions for adapting book text into a great script,
and key text characteristics that make a book well suited for Readers Theater.
Today I’ll focus on text format.
about Readers Theater, suggestions for adapting book text into a great script,
and key text characteristics that make a book well suited for Readers Theater.
Today I’ll focus on text format.
As you search for books to convert into RT
scripts, keep in mind that some of the text on each page will be used as an animal introduction for the narrator, and the rest will be
presented as dialog by an animal character. That means books with two
sections of text—shorter, simpler text that conveys a general idea and a longer
section with more details—can work especially well.
scripts, keep in mind that some of the text on each page will be used as an animal introduction for the narrator, and the rest will be
presented as dialog by an animal character. That means books with two
sections of text—shorter, simpler text that conveys a general idea and a longer
section with more details—can work especially well.
The good news is that, in the last decade,
science-themed picture books with this kind of layered text have become an
increasingly popular. Two book that work especially well for Readers Theater
are Animals Asleep by Sneed Collard (illus. by Anik
McGrory) and Leaving Home also by Sneed Collard (illus. by Joan Dunning). Published by Houghton Mifflin, these two titles have a simple main
text at the top of each page and smaller, detail-rich text blocks at the bottom
of each page. (These books are also great for Reading Buddiesprograms.)
science-themed picture books with this kind of layered text have become an
increasingly popular. Two book that work especially well for Readers Theater
are Animals Asleep by Sneed Collard (illus. by Anik
McGrory) and Leaving Home also by Sneed Collard (illus. by Joan Dunning). Published by Houghton Mifflin, these two titles have a simple main
text at the top of each page and smaller, detail-rich text blocks at the bottom
of each page. (These books are also great for Reading Buddiesprograms.)
In Animals Asleep, soft, appealing watercolors and accessible text describe the sleep
habits of a wide variety of animals. Large-type text is general and flows well,
while more detailed small-type text provides interesting tidbits about featured
animals.
habits of a wide variety of animals. Large-type text is general and flows well,
while more detailed small-type text provides interesting tidbits about featured
animals.
Leaving
Home
looks at how a variety of animals grow up and leave home. Large, striking watercolors accompany clear, simple text presented
in two levels. Short, simple text in large type gives general information,
while smaller type provides details.
Home
looks at how a variety of animals grow up and leave home. Large, striking watercolors accompany clear, simple text presented
in two levels. Short, simple text in large type gives general information,
while smaller type provides details.
In
both of these books, the main text is great for introductory speeches by the
narrator, while the detailed text provides a variety of options for animal
roles.
both of these books, the main text is great for introductory speeches by the
narrator, while the detailed text provides a variety of options for animal
roles.
In
addition, each of these books begins with a simple introductory sentence that
presents the topic in a general way.
addition, each of these books begins with a simple introductory sentence that
presents the topic in a general way.
“Most
of us need sleep.”
of us need sleep.”
“Sooner
or later, we all leave home.”
or later, we all leave home.”
This structure makes
the books great models for teaching students how to organize their nonfiction
writing—by beginning with a topic sentence and then adding additional
paragraphs with supporting details.
Note to self. That
would make a good topic for a future blog post.
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