Grade Level: 3-4

Subjects Integrated:  Language Art, Drama

Learner Outcomes:

Students will practice reading with fluency and expression.
Students will plan and create a setting, costumes, and props for a short play.
Students will demonstrate understanding of characters through readers' theater.
Students will practice being a good audience for the arts.
Students will reflect on experiences through journal writing.

Time Frame: 60 minutes

Materials: Readers' Theater Script  , props, costumes, journals

Technology Tools: Digital camera or digital video camera

Teacher Notes:  Camera  or video camera could also be used to take pictures for display and documentation.

Procedures:

Day before performance
    1.  Provide students with Readers' Theater Script  so that they can practice all parts.  It
        is not necessary to  memorize parts.  All students should be able to read all parts with
        appropriate expression and gestures.

    2.  Discuss costumes and props that would be appropriate.  Ask students to bring items
         from home that can be shared and used.  This is considered a homework assignment.

Day of performance
    3.  Cooperatively create a setting for the performance in the classroom.  Use chairs to
        form Judd's truck, table to create the kitchen where Ma may be working, porch scene,
        some drawings on the board to look like the woods behind Marty's house, etc.

    4.  Students will take turns performing while the rest of the class provides the audience.
        All students should have at least one turn to perform.  Most will want a second chance.
        Be sure to take pictures and videos to share at Open House or Parent Visitation Day.

    5.  Students can journal about what they liked or disliked about this experience and how it
         helped them understand the characters.
 

Modifications: Students with reading difficulties can be assigned small parts or non speaking parts can be created.

Enrichment Activities: Students could script another chapter.

Evaluation/Assessment: Assess for reading fluency and expression in performance. Assessment Chart
 

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives

• English Language Arts: 3.14, 3.16, 4.17

References:
Readers' Theater Script
Assessment Chart