1. Definition
2. The value of RT in ELT
3. The value of RT for developing literacy skills
4. The value of RT for education
5. How to prepare an RT performance
a) Procedure
b) Selection of Materials
c) Scripting
d) Creating self made scripts
e) Staging
f) Rehearsal
g) Performance
2. What d’ya Know Joe?
What is Theatre?
What is Drama?
What is Reading?
What is Readers’ Theatre?
3. What is Readers’ Theatre
Readers’ Theatre is the
process of reading a
script aloud, in parts,
using dramatization
techniques.
4. The World is Ours
We’re riding along We`ll do the hailing
On the crest of the wave While all the ships
And the sun is in the sky Are on the sailing
Like a big red football We’re riding along
All our eyes On the crest of the wave
On the distant horizon And the world is ours
Look out for passers by Oi!!!!!!
13. Comparison of Theatre and RT
Greater Lesser
Learning lines Use scripts
Stage Any space
Costume Minimal
Make up No need
Set No need
Props Minimal
Lighting For focus only
Blocking Rows or minimal
Rehearsal Minimal or more
Stagefright Far less.
16. The Value of RT in ELT
General Specific
Cooperation Structures
Gesture Vocabulary
Facial gesture Pronunciation
Eye contact Emphasis/Stress
Turn Taking Volume /Pitch
Lowering affective filter Pace/Rhythm
Self esteem building Pausing/Silences
Confidence building Fluency
Presentation skills Expression
17. The Value of RT for developing
Literacy Skills
Enhances reading skills:
reading fluency and sight-word vocabulary,
improving reading comprehension
interpret dialogue and communicate
meaning,
a context for purposeful reading
responding to and interpreting literature
multiple readings of one text
18. Some Quotes
Reader’s Theater "succeeds in giving the
same suggestive push to the imaginations in
the audience that the act of silent reading
gives to the imagination of the perceptive
silent reader".
“Out of this spirited speech can come
meaningful, flavourful language, worth the
time and effort of writing and rewriting,
phrasing, rehearsing, and reading aloud."
20. The fun they have draws them into reading.
It helps introverted pupils to overcome their
inhibitions because it is not threatening.
Readers’ Theatre introduces the element of drama
into literacy learning and magically transforms
the classroom into a stage. During Readers’
Theatre time, the reader is at centre stage, totally
absorbed in reading. The reader is a star.
21. The Value of RT for education
Involves the WHOLE person
Teaches communication skills
Teaches thinking skills
Teaches creativity and use of the
imagination
Teaches critical thinking and self
assessment
Teaches control and cooperation in group
work
22. SPICE
S- Social development
P-Physical development
I-Intellectual growth ( Cognitive )
C- Creative development
E- Emotional Development
23. How to Prepare an RT Performance
Selection of Materials
Scripting
Creating self made scripts
Staging
Rehearsal
Performance
24. Selection of Materials
Ready-made RT Scripts (net)
Scripts/texts from seen or unseen materials
Usually literature: poems, chants, raps,
rhymes, stories, plays, dialogues, songs
Factual pieces
Negotiation/voting with class
Imposition by T
25. Creating Self-Made Scripts
Transformation from one mode to another
(see handout ……story to RT Script) by T or
Sts
Original material written by T or Sts
26. Scripting to RT
Familiarise Sts with the text/make meaning
Read at home/silently/in groups/ T reads aloud
Discuss plot, characterisation, gestures, lineup
Visualise through drawing or storyboarding
Pay attention to punctuation: colour code
1)characters’ dialogue, 2) narration
Make agreements as whole class or in groups
Allocate parts:
appropriateness/willingness/standard
27. Staging
Focus and concentration
No corpsing
Voice production: volume, tone, expression, pace,
rhythm, timbre
Gesture: facial, limbs, whole body,
synchronisation, meaning making
All or group?
Arrangement of lineup
Scripts in folders/ on clip boards/ music stands
Decisions re: costume, lights, props, make up,
sound effects
28. Rehearsal
Agree times and dates
Make a timetable and post it
Agree on timeline
Decide on format: straight in or warmers?
Name tags/scripts/pens
Director and student assistant
DYB. DYB. DYB….. DOB. DOB. DOB.
Feeling/emotion/passion/energy
29. Reader’s Theatre is "theatre of the
imagination". It involves children in
understanding their world, creating their
own scripts, reading aloud, performing with
a purpose, and bringing enjoyment to both
themselves and their audiences.
30. "Everyone needs to talk - to hear and to play
with language, to exercise the mind and
emotions and tongue together. Out of this
spirited speech can come meaningful,
flavourful language, worth the time and
effort of writing and rewriting, phrasing,
rehearsing, and reading aloud."