Reader's Theater . . . and So Much More! is written for grades 3-4. This exciting resource contains plays, skits, and independent research activities with an innovative twist for differentiated instruction. This high-interest book of humorous skits and plays is a jumping-off point for research and creativity for students of all ability levels. Each of the reader's theaters comes with suggestions for differentiating and extending the lesson's content. These plays not only provide a legitimate reason for students to reread texts and practice fluency, but they also promote cooperative interaction with peers.
Grades 3-4
Table of Contents:
To the Teacher Act 1: Reader’s Theaters Volunteer? (vocabulary, citizenship) Waiting Room (pets) Unusual Dinner Guests (biographies) Rainforest Detour (rainforest ecosystems) Pet Shop (point of view) A Buddha-ful Play (citizenship) Progress? Bah Humbug! (communication) Act 2: Adaptations Introduction How Does It Feel to Live Next Door to a Giraffe? (tolerance) The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop’s fable) Anansi and the Greedy Lion (folk tale) Why the Hippo Has a Stubby Tail (pourquoi) Act 3: Format Models Introduction Time Travel (serendipitous discovery) To Tell the Truth: J. K. Rowling To Tell the Truth: Harriet Tubman To Tell the Truth: Lewis and Clark The Emperor With a Rotten Attitude (choral reading) The People Moved to America! (part musical/choral reading) Give Thanks to the Pilgrims (choral reading) Act 4: Monologues Introduction Who Am I? A Monologue With a Twist Best Day Ever! The Shopping Trip Frankly Speaking Act 5: Starters Introduction A Barn With No Boundaries (teamwork and government) Defend Yourself! (animal defenses) Super Nut Man! (health and nutrition) Reader’s Theater Rubric Blank Rubric About the Authors Common Core State Standards Alignment
About the Author :
Brenda McGee is an experienced, award-winning teacher and published writer. She has taught in public and private schools in kindergarten through eighth grade. She was the cofounder of former publishing house, McGee-Keiser Academic Enrichment Programs, based in Plano, TX. She is the author of several previous books, two of which have won awards for outstanding curricula for gifted and talented students from the National Association for Gifted Children.
Debbie Keiser is author or coauthor of more than two dozen books, including Solving the Research Puzzle, Earth Central, Ph.D.: Doctor of Sciences, and several titles in the popular Differentiated Curriculum series. She was the cofounder of former publishing house, McGee-Keiser Academic Enrichment Programs, based in Plano, TX.
Review :
The three books in the Reader's Theater...and So Much More! series by Tom McGee, Brenda McGee and Debbie Keiser provide ready-to-use reproducibles for grades, 2-6, 3-4, and 5-6. Each book includes scripts that integrate high interest reading material into comical skits. In contrast to other reading programs that may not appeal to kinesthetic-tactile learners, the Reader's Theater books encourage elementary students to read more fluently while also encouraging articulation, proper pronunciation, and inflection for dramatic interpretation. Students are motivated to reread, not for the sake of repetition or because a teacher “says so,” but rather for the purpose of dramatic presentation.,Susan Hyde,Raising Maine, 1/21/11
