Readers Theatre Lesson Plan

By Jackalynn Snow

Objective: Use Readers Theatre as a vehicle for Literary Analysis, interpretation of text, assessment of comprehension, peer collaboration, examining perspectives, public speaking, and listening. Standards: This lesson addresses Core Requirements RL.3, RL.4, RL.5, RL.7, RL.10, SL.1, SL.3, and SL.4. Learning Targets: Students will: Read and analyze literary text. Interpret tone and character choices. Write a script. Collaboratively plan a performance. Perform a scene. Critique, evaluate, and discuss peer performances. Materials Needed: Novels or stories, open space, student handout, notebooks, writing utensils, chairs, desks, etc Process: Pre-Project: Read the literature. Day 1: Determine which scenes are crucial to the text/will be performed. Choose one scene with a larger number of students to use as an example. Lead the whole class through the process on the student handout using that scene (for example: the hotel confrontation scene in The Great Gatsby). Day 2: Lead full class through acting warm-ups (movement and voice). Assign students to scene groups and provide guidelines and expectations. Have groups complete steps 1-3 on the student handout. Day 3: Groups of students collaborate for steps 4-15 on student handout. Day 4: Lead a warm-up. Students finish rehearsal and begin performances. Day 5: Complete performances. Reflect, critique, and evaluate.

Readers Theatre
Step 1: Find an important scene in the book. Read the scene as a group. Step 2: Analyze the scene: What is happening? Who are the characters? What are the characters doing (action)? What is the relationship between the characters? What does each character want (objective & motivation)? How is each character trying to get what he or she wants? How is each character feeling? What is the climax/most important moment/turning point of the scene? Where is the scene taking place? Step 3: Create a script of the scene with dialogue and stage directions. Step 4: Cast the characters. Step 5: Read through the scene as the characters. Step 6: Determine each characters posture and movement style. Step 7: Read through the scene focusing on character movement. Step 8: Determine the voice tone and qualities of each character. Step 9: Read through with an emphasis on portraying character and emotion through voice. Step 10: Set the scene: use chairs, desks, blocks, etc to create the setting. Be aware of audience location. Step 11: Rehearse within the staged setting incorporating both movement and voice. Step 12: Add stage business (little things the characters can do to make the scene more real, ie: knitting, drinking a beverage, flipping through a newspaper). Step 13: Rehearse. Step 14: Make improvements. Think of at least three things you can do better. Step 15: Rehearse again and again until youve developed a glorious scene.

Perform!
Assessment will be based on: Accuracyscene truthfully portrays the content of the novel. Effort and Productivityrehearsal time was used well. Characterizationphysical movements and vocal qualities intentionally reflect specific personality traits of the characters. You will not be graded on memorization. Scripts are allowed, hence the term Readers Theatre. You will not be critiqued via the standards of the Oscar or Tony committees, however, I expect each person to take some risks and put forth an honest effort.