READER'S THEATER (Part 1)

by Mary Quattlebaum

These last weeks of school are tough for student and teacher alike.  The kids are dreaming of summer plans, but teachers are still hopeful of imparting a few lessons before break.  Enter: Reader’s Theater.

Basically, Reader’s Theater is a group of people giving a dramatic reading of a script or book.  Lines are not memorized.  And there’s no need for props, costumes, special lighting, numerous rehearsals, or an audience (though they can all add to the fun).  An added bonus:  students in classrooms that regularly do Reader’s Theater often report an increased interest in reading and demonstrate enhanced reading and speaking skills.  It’s a great way for shy children to participate without feeling on the spot and for class “hams” or “clowns” to get positive attention while working toward a common class goal.

I first became acquainted with the power of Reader’s Theater many years ago while teaching creative writing in a summer camp for remedial students (ages 9-11).  They did not want to read and write, which they experienced as “boring” and “stupid” activities.  But they did like connecting (flirting, chatting, arguing) with the other kids there.  So, how to harness all this great verbal and potentially collaborative and creative energy?

I wasn’t familiar with the concept of Reader’s Theater, alas, but in desperation began having the kids work in small groups to write and perform dialogue poems (see my January 30, 2012 post on Dialogue and Two-Person Poems).  The kids loved the performance aspect and were soon writing and revising more carefully in order to perform their best work.  From there, they wanted to read-perform or essentially do Reader’s Theater with longer works and even wrote their own scripts (more on how to develop writing activities out of Reader’s Theater in Part 2, my next post in July).

If you’re looking for helpful books, scripts and resources, check the website of author/storyteller Aaron Shepherd. http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/  It includes more than 20 scripts, ranging in suitability from grades 1 to 10, that can be printed and used for free in the classroom.

www.maryquattlebaum.com

Costumes,Crafts, and Creative Writing Fun!

by Mary Quattlebaum

Nothing says fun to kids like a party.  Yeah, all we teacher-librarian-writer folks know that writing is good for students (like academic broccoli), but we also know that a playful touch can help create a truly memorable experience.  Occasional cupcakes, costumes, and crafts can perk up classroom writing and reading.  And your “book party” may well become the highlight of the school year.

Fellow blogger/author Pam Smallcomb gets the sparkly crown for her edu-taining ways.  At events for her most recent picture book, Earth to Clunk, about space buddies, Pam has the kids make their own aliens.  Her go-to spot for inexpensive craft items and doodads?  Oriental Trading Company http://www.orientaltrading.com/.

Dressing up and doing a dramatic reading can help bring a book to life for students—and provide insights on creating dialogue and story tension.  Okay, I admit it:  I love dressing up as a “book buccaneer” for my picture book Pirate vs. Pirate.  And at Maret School recently, librarian Lisa Triggs asked the children to dress as pirates—and did so herself.  She decorated the library with homemade Jolly Roger flags and enticingly displayed other pirate books.  Arrrr, we had a fine time, mateys, acting out the story, learning about the writing process (with a piratical plume pen), and writing a pirate poem.

And, oh, kids love a setting that mirrors a book!  Librarian Jess Stork transformed Palisades Library into a pirate hang-out with treasure map and chest, gaudy bling, and wanted posters of the author.  Refreshments added a celebratory note.  (Ginger) ale flowed freely, and the Jolly Roger cupcakes were a welcome change from hardtack.  “Captain Jess” sported pirate duds and helped the excited attendees to make their own spy glasses with the paper-towel rolls, markers, stickers, sequins, feathers, and glue arranged like jewels on the table.

Both Lisa and Jess bring a certain “magic” to their book interactions with kids.  The key to the good times—and the learning--lies with them.  Lisa and Jess get excited about writing—and communicate that by word and example to the youngsters.  A big pirate huzzah to them—and to like-spirited teacher-librarian-writers!

Jess shares piratical decorating tips, activities, and photos at

DC Library: http://www.dclibrary.org/node/13751

Ink Spot Plot: http://inkspotplot.blogspot.com/2011/05/everybody-loves-good-pirate.html

My website www.maryquattlebaum.com has pirate writing exercises.

www.maryquattlebaum.com