Our Class 2 students have been hard at work developing their reading skills — although, is it really hard work if they’re having fun? During the culmination of their “Reading Theater” unit, the students showcased their reading and public speaking abilities with the Chapin community through theatrical performances. In this unit, they not only strengthened their reading skills, but sharpened oral reading fluency and expression while reading; deepened comprehension; practiced active listening; and displayed confidence speaking and performing in front of an audience.
So how did their teachers pack all of this into one unit? They began with a demonstration. Leading by example, the Class 2 teachers each gave performances, one with expression and one without, to show the girls the importance of expression and distinct character personalities in a story and performance. Over the course of six lessons, they led their students through a series of exercises that culminated in a special performance. Starting in pairs, the girls worked with the teachers’ example script and discussed why expression, verbally and physically, is important in narratives or performances. From there, they were assigned to working groups and given a script.
Working collaboratively, the students selected their roles and began building out their performance. Over the course of the following classes, they helped each other create unique personas for their characters, including voices and movement, to bring their stories to life. Each lesson reinforced their reading aloud and comprehension skills as they discovered the nuances of their characters through acting and feedback from their group members.
Their final lesson of the unit was their performance. Ahead of this day, the students hand wrote and illustrated invitations, which were delivered to community members around the School. These colorful notes included enthusiastic messages expressing their excitement, saying, for example, “We want to show you our hard work — be there!”
The girls’ performances were wonderful and jam-packed with personality. Their passion was evident in their excitement before each group’s performance and the enthusiasm with which each delivered her lines. Every Class 2 student’s character voice and gestures were one-of-a-kind and entertaining, enjoyed by both PC members and their classmates.
After a group’s reading, each performer called on a classmate to share a kind comment about the skit. The girls complimented one another on their reading, fun voices and distinct character personalities. Every student was just as excited to watch and support others as they were eager to perform themselves. Class 2 demonstrated not only improved reading, comprehension and speaking skills, but collaboration, respect and kindness.
