Reader's Theatre

[herdgrad]

Does anyone here use Reader's Theatre? I used it a lot with my 5th graders and loved it! I didn't use it as much this past year because I moved down to 3rd and well lets just say it was a big change :wowee:
I really want to go back to it, the kids seem to really enjoy it. I basically give them the scripts, we practice several times, they can make costumes if they choose, then we go out to our "stage" in the courtyard and perform. Any other ideas? I find that 3rd graders are just not as creative as 5th graders and I need to improvise a little.
My 5th graders were very creative....they even performed for staff, other classes, and parents. They practiced and KNEW their lines. My third graders this year just didn't want to practice and really stumbled through because of it. The material is on grade level (had to buy new books). Maybe it was the group :idontknow:
Any thoughts?

[Brit]

Maybe they need to see a group like your 5th graders do it. Or maybe they need to work on developing fluency, and that's something you can focus on in teaching.

[herdgrad]

Fluency and reading with expression is the main reason that I do it. I realize that 3rd graders will not be as fluent as 5th graders, however I just didn't see the "drive" to want to be better at it. I explain to them that the more they read their parts the more fluent they become and the more they can act out what their character is saying. I also use funny/silly reader's theatre which the kids really seem to enjoy.