Reader's Theater!

 

Reader's Theater: Improve reading comprehension and fluency while adding creative expression and FUN!

WHAT is Reader's Theater?

Reader's theater scripts are developed from dialogue and narrative of familiar stories, poems, speeches, and plays. Children use voice to express the thoughts, ideas, and emotions of characters. No memorization, costumes, or sets are required.

WHY do Reader's Theater? 

Reader's Theater is great way to practice fluency, develop vocabulary, enhance overall comprehension, and fine-tune listening, reading, and oral language skills. I love that it offers authentic opportunities for mixed ability groupings and oral reading.

As well, reader's theater encourages creative expression and a deeper understanding of dialogue. Children must pay close attention to phrasing and can easily self-assess their own reading performance in a safe and supportive way.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS and Reader's Theater:

Reader's theater is wonderful practice for children learning English as a second language for many reasons including:

* Extra practice with how English sounds when read/spoken fluently

* Builds oral expression and speaking skills

* Builds community with peers

* Strengthens word-analysis skills

* Offers opportunity to read and hear a text repeatedly

Halloween Fun!

We invited kindergarten and first grade classes to come enjoy two October-themed stories for a fun afternoon.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

The Litle Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

Our first nature walk of the year

The trails, meadows, and vernal pool near Woodland School are an incredible resource for us to learn about interdependence. Our walk last week was a wonderful way to reinforce our learning about how to be observers of the natural world around us. As Rachel Carson said, in nature, nothing exists alone. We don't have to go far to spot examples of plants and animals working together for survival. We paused and jotted down what our senses of a naturalist were observing twice along our walk. First we sat in quiet sit spots by the vernal pool and then we ventured to the Marian Case Outdoor Classroom. We will be returning to these spots throughout the year to observe what's the same and what's different.

Marian Case Outdoor Classroom

Back in class, we read the book Log Life by Amy Hevron. The book tells the story of what happens to a tree that falls in the forest, becoming a nurse log, over a year, a decade, a century, and a millennium. 

Ask your naturalist to describe to you what a nurse log is and how a nurse log is an example of interdependence. 

A nurse log near the vernal pool!

Here are some sketches students made in their field notebooks to show their understanding of how a nurse log is home to many plants and animals as it decomposes over time to become a part of the forest floor once again.

Our first Marble Jar Celebration

 Curl Up and Read and Be Cozy Day!

How lucky am I to spend my days with this amazing (and adorable) crew. Today has been wonderful! Lots of connecting, reading, and enjoying each other's company. The Lucky Blues totally earned this little celebration of all our hard work in September. 

We started our day with one of my favorite books, Hair Love.

Rockstars in their jams!

Athletes with our first Lucky Blue of the year, Ms. Chartier.

Our first family readers came today as well!

We ended our day with a visit to our Book Buddies. Meet our final three match-ups this year. :)

Jax + Artam

Oliver + Evelyn

Lilah + Ella