Readers’ Theatre
- Aaron Shepard Readers’ Theater – http://www.aaronshepard.com/rt/RTE.html – A variety of themes and genres for a variety of age groups (these stories are mostly aimed at ages 7 and up) but it is nicely organized to easily find the story that will fit the needs of the classroom initiatives.
- Epic – “Reader’s Theater Collection” – There are eight books available that guide educators and students (under 12). Note: Teachers can sign up for a free account but parents will have to purchase a membership.
- platowasright – http://www.thebestclass.org/rtscripts.html – A treasure trove of readers’ theatre scripts in alphabetical order and detailing the number of readers in brackets. All the scripts are in PDF.
- Playbooks – https://www.readerstheater.com/ – The leading supplier of social-interactive, role-play reading enrichment materials in the nation with its patented Roleplay Reader® format of color-coded dialogue text and easier and harder roles in the same story.
- Readers Theater All Year – https://www.readerstheaterallyear.com/ – Providing a free “Limited Lunchbox” of trustworthy Readers Theater scripts, plus a yummy growing Script Buffet for members–all with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, unit studies, and extension activities. There is so much more on the website than just free scripts and some of the features may only be accessible by purchasing a membership.
- Reading A-Z – https://www.readinga-z.com/fluency/readers-theater-scripts/ – The scripts are adapted from their leveled books and other sources that will give students (grades 1 – 7) essential practice in oral reading fluency and public speaking. They also provide an opportunity for group interaction and student cooperation.
- Read Write Think – A lesson called “Readers Theatre with Jan Brett” has been designed for students from grade 1 – 2 outlining five 60-minute sessions. There also is a Readers Theatre Rubric designed for grades 3-12 but teachers could adapt it for students in younger grades.
- Scholastic – https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collections/teaching-content/readers-theater/ – These reader’s theater scripts for students from grades K-8 also have tips, printable props, and guidelines that will encourage student involvement in reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities.
- Scripts for Schools – https://www.scriptsforschools.com/readers-theater – The website is pretty well put together. There is some good information about how to do readers’ theatre at primary, intermediate and older levels. However, it is a paid website.
- Super Teacher Worksheets – https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/readers-theater.html – There are nine scripts available for students in grades 2 – 4 with only one that is free to non-members. The rest are only available to members.
- Teaching Heart Readers’ Theater – http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm – A variety of themes and stories that students will already be familiar with on this page. Also available: tips on reading scripts and voice inflection as well as a sample assessment form.
- Teach Starter – https://www.teachstarter.com/au/teaching-resource-collection/readers-theatre/ – The scripts provide you with information regarding the number of parts available for students and the approximate reading age. Also provided is a script tracker to help you record which scripts have been used by different groups and students.
- T. P. Jagger – https://www.tpjagger.com/free-readers-theater-scripts/ – A good collection of original readers’ theatre script for grades K – 6. Each script link identifies the grades it is suitable for, the number of readers and the length of time taken.
- Twinkl – https://www.twinkl.ca/search?term=readers+theatre+scripts – A selection of readers theatre scripts for students in grades K-6.
- Wise Owl Factory – https://www.thewiseowlfactory.com/readers-theater-free/ – There are a good variety of scripts for younger readers and most of them are recognizable stories. Children enjoy reading plays for fluency practice so much more with a special part, name tag, and sometimes a mask.
Information Pages for Teachers New to Readers’ Theatre:
- Reading Rockets – Giving Students a Reason to Read Aloud; Readers Theatre as a Classroom Strategy; Oral Language Enrichment and Literacy Development for ELLs
- Read Write Think – Strategy Guide;
- NWT Literacy Council – How-To Kit on Readers Theatre (includes scripts for various grades)
- The Balanced Literacy Diet – Building Fluency and Expression
- Education World – “A Reason to Read Aloud”