What is the purpose of Readers' theater in literacy education?

Readers' theater is designed primarily to promote oral performance and fluency in reading. This instructional strategy involves students reading scripts that are typically adapted from literature. Through this format, students engage in reading aloud in a performance context, which encourages them to practice expression, intonation, and pacing, all of which are critical components of fluent reading.

Participating in readers' theater allows learners to develop their reading skills in a collaborative environment, enhancing their ability to convey meaning and emotion through spoken language. Additionally, because the focus is on performance rather than just reading from the page, students are motivated to practice and refine their reading skills repeatedly, leading to increased fluency.

In contrast, silent reading skills, vocabulary acquisition, and grammar instruction, while important aspects of literacy education, do not capture the primary essence and objectives of readers' theater. The emphasis on oral performance sets this approach apart as a unique method for fostering fluency and comprehension through active participation.