My students recently completed a unit on folktales, fairy tales, fables and Native American legends. The performance assessment for this unit involves students participating in a reader's theater. The Common Core Standards expect students to recount stories using not only reading and writing skills but oral presentation skills. I think this is a great opportunity to reach all learners and give students an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience. NCTE Framework for 21st Century Curriculum and Assessment
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| Students practice a play. |
Readers theatre "is a style of theatre in which the actors do not have to memorize their lines. In Readers Theatre, actors use vocal expression to help the audience understand the story." It is different from a play because a play has more visual features, such as sets and costumes. Readers Theatre became popular during and following the second World War when resources to produce plays were scarce. A common Readers Theatre uses only the scripts and stools or chairs. Wikipedia
Having my students perform their reader's theater of "The Ugly Duckling" would fit with my digital story telling project.
What is your opinion of this project? How do you think it will impact my students? Is it a worthwhile venture? Why or why not?
Great idea for digital story project!
ReplyDeleteWhen kids know they are performing for someone other than themselves, they always try harder. I think it's a totally worthwhile venture because they'll be working even harder. I bet it turns out great!
ReplyDeleteI love Reader's Theater. ELL students are much more self conscious than some native speakers. I had an idea to use reader's theater scripts but with a sock puppet app I have. Students can choose their character and it changes their voice so they don't seem as reluctant to read aloud. My students loved it! However, it worked fine with first grade because their script was short enough but the older students were disappointed because they couldn't see their entire performance due to lack of recording space. I wish I could find an app that would record the entire thing.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea for your project! Nice job :0)