K.

YeckleyTorres: Readers Theater is defined as a rehearsed group oral presentation of a script The emphasis of the presentation is on how the students read their lines. It is meant to be an engaging means of motivating the students to improve their fluency and enhance their comprehension through multiple of rereading of texts. The goal of Readers Theater is to build the confidence and skill through those repeated readings, enhancing comprehension. Fluency based instruction, such as Readers Theater, is essential for struggling readers. Readers Theater enhances both oral reading skills and leads to better comprehension. The teamwork involved in the presentation also serves to mot ovate the students to engage in more attentive reading. Second language learners or bilingual students benefit through the repeated practice of hearing the reading sound like conversational language; subsequently they may be able to make sense of the text. English as a second language learners benefit greatly form having opportunities to read a text many times because this helps them develop fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Readers Theater offers English as a second language learners an opportunity to immerse themselves in a story, and it gives the students time to think about how engaged readers interact with print, such as seeing it in their headsvery similar to watching a movie or play. How can I effectively use Readers Theater to improve the fluency and reading comprehension skills of my students? What impact will Readers Theater have on my students, especially those that are learning English as a second language? What impact will Readers Theater have on their comprehension skills? What changes in students' level of interest in reading and reading behaviors are observed following the use of Readers Theater in the classroom? Research has show that the use of Readers Theater or repeated oral reading improves students' fluency and reading achievement. The National Reading Panel in 2000 identified fluency as a key ingredient to successful reading instruction due to it's effete on students' reading efficiency comprehension. Fluency is consistently defined throughout research as the ability to read at a good pace, without errors and with expression. It serves to connect word recognition with comprehension. Research demonstrates that the more attention a reader has to give to accurately read words, the less attention they have left for comprehending the text. Teachers can help these students make this connection by explaining how they can visualize the plot in their heads while they read and as they practice bringing stories to life. Readers Theater has something for all students, regardless of their language level! Sebastian: CommunicationReaders Theater develops both verbal and nonverbal communication skills, along with encouraging active listening. Elisa: Collaboration -Readers Theater helps students develop their ability to work cooperatively while responding to a given task. Sebastian: ExperimentalLearning -Readers Theater provides active instructional opportunities suitable for all students with different reading abilities. Elisa: CharacterDevelopment -Readers Theater develops trust, patience, perseverance, and strong friendships.

Sebastian: Creativity -Readers Theater encourages students to use their imagination through either planned or spontaneous dramatic action where unique and individual responses are highly valued. Elisa: Aesthetics- Readers Theater is an art form where students develop an awareness of beauty and a heightened perception of the whorl around them. Sebastian: Community -Readers Theater helps bridge diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, allowing students to consider different values and responses. Elisa: Self-Awareness -Readers Theater helps students understand themselves and others. It allows them to explore a variety of social roles, encouraging them to identify and empathize with others. Students will read a Readers Theater script of the story "The Three Little Javelinas" by Susan Lowell. Sebastian: I like Readers Theater because it helps students overcome their fear of being in front of the classroom audience. Elisa: I like Readers Theater because you can act like the character in the story and I like it better than our regular reading program. Gabriel: I like Readers Theater because it's interactive and fun!