Readers Theatre Scripts Teaching Resources
Build reading fluency in your classroom with printable readers' theatre scripts created by teachers for your primary classroom!
This curriculum-aligned teaching resource collection is full of scripts for fairy tales, nursery rhymes and original plays designed by our teacher team to build reading fluency while creating fun and memorable opportunities to read! Each has undergone careful review by a member of our teacher team to ensure it's ready for your lesson plans and your classroom!
New to using this English teaching tool? Read on for a readers' theatre primer from our teacher team!
What Is Readers’ Theatre?
Readers’ Theatre is a reading activity that involves students reading a script aloud in a small group. Don't worry — you don't have to put on a big production in the classroom!
There is no need for the students to perform actions, use props, wear costumes or memorise any lines. The goal of the learning experience is to encourage the students to 'bring the script alive' through a clear and expressive voice, some facial expressions and some simple gestures.
Research indicates that repeated reading of the same text can significantly improve reading fluency. But many students show little interest in reading the same text multiple times and understandably so!
That's where readers' theatre comes in — it's a great way to engage our students in interesting, enjoyable and authentic repeated reading activities.
How to Implement Readers’ Theatre in the Classroom
- Assign student groups according to the number of character roles in the script. Each group member receives a copy.
- Encourage the students to read the whole script silently to themselves. This enables them to become familiar with the story and the characters.
- Assign each student a role. Some roles may be more text-dense, so consider this before allocating characters.
- Allow the students to read the part that has been assigned to them several times. Encourage the students to check the pronunciations and definitions of any unfamiliar vocabulary.
- Have the students read through their script together as a group. Remind your class to continue reading if they make a mistake so as not to interrupt the flow of the script.
- Encourage each group to decide if any props are needed to perform the script. These should only be used if necessary.
- Have each group take turns sitting in a semi-circle in front of the class. The goal is for the script to be read aloud, with each student reading their part clearly and with expression.
- Facilitate a class discussion with the students after each performance. Encourage kids to provide helpful feedback to the performers.
The Benefits of Readers’ Theatre for Students
Readers' Theatre places readers firmly in the driver's seat so students do not lose interest easily.
The activity provides a clear and tangible purpose for reading aloud: producing a short drama for others to enjoy.
As if the joy of reading wasn't enough, students can build oral reading fluency through repeated reading. Plus, Readers’ Theatre enables students to:
- Share and explore literature with others
- Work collaboratively in a team
- Prepare, view and discuss performances
- Develop confidence
- Increase reading comprehension
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Readers' Theatre Script - Treasure Map
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Foiled Robbery
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - What's My Pet?
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Three Billy Goats Gruff
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Pet Rescue
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Radio Talk
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Triple Trouble
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Grandpa's Birthday Surprise
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Muddy Footprint Mystery
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Why Bears Have Stumpy Tails
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Dog Park Days
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Lion and the Mouse
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - 45th Annual Acting Awards
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Science Experiment
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Introduction to Readers' Theatre PowerPoint
An 11 slide PowerPoint template to use when introducing Readers' Theatre to your students.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Return of the Three Bears
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Hansel, Gretel and Nancy
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Three Little Pigs
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Hansel and Gretel
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Perfect Parents
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Solar Force Five
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Game, Set, Match!
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Trouble at the Park
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Creepy Cat Club
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre - Scripts Tracker
A document listing all of Teach Starter's scripts for Readers' Theatre.
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Play Script Template
A template for students to use when writing their own play script.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Hare and Tortoise
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 6 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Best In Show
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Jesting Archaeologist
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Josephine
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Rhyme Time
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 8 years and over.
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Readers' Theatre Script - Mighty Maree
A script which can be used during readers' theatre or Drama sessions, aimed at students 10 years and over.