Small Literacy Groups
As schedules allow, small reading groups meet with the drama coach to improve their reading. In some cases, groups read scripted plays of well-known stories to improve their reading fluency as well as their understanding of the plots and characters. The groups then decide how to develop the play further, i.e. as a radio play with sound effects, a staged reading or Reader’s Theater, or fully dramatized. Sometimes, they even choose to wear masks or simple costumes.
In other cases, small groups work together to adapt short stories into plays, expanding the plots and further developing the characters with original dialogue. They record the results so they can see their presentation and sometimes, they perform the original plays for their classmates.
Other groups choose a topic to research and then create a script of their findings. They then perform the script as Readers' Theater, complete with expressive gestures and sound effects.
Reading skills and performance skills simultaneously evolve in this dynamic process.
In other cases, small groups work together to adapt short stories into plays, expanding the plots and further developing the characters with original dialogue. They record the results so they can see their presentation and sometimes, they perform the original plays for their classmates.
Other groups choose a topic to research and then create a script of their findings. They then perform the script as Readers' Theater, complete with expressive gestures and sound effects.
Reading skills and performance skills simultaneously evolve in this dynamic process.