Baby Walnut : Reading Theatre Demonstration
What are “Banded Books”?
Bands are like levels. Each book is marked by a coloured star. Pink is the lowest and beginner colour (level). The next is yellow. Then red and so on. There are ten such colours and ten books in each colour band.
Students are evaluated on their current level and that becomes their starting point. Then with
one-on-one support in these classes, the teacher helps each student level up. By the time our Sr. KG students graduate, they are already reading stories that an average Std. 1 student can!
How is the Reading Theatre Activity conducted?
In this READING THEATRE activity, they will be reading out a book to you. The students will do this in small groups. The reading material will be given to them in the school and they will read aloud by taking turns with their friends in front of all you parents as the audience.
This is a showcase of what the students are reading in school. So they are reading the same book in school that they will be reading out to you on this day. Simply come and enjoy their performance - you don’t need to worry about preparing these students at home, for this event!
Why are we having a READING THEATRE activity like this?
A way to involve students even more in reading aloud and motivate them. All children have to participate actively. No one can be passive with a story in their hand and a turn to read aloud.
Students "perform" by reading stories aloud. They do so without costumes or props. Their expression and delivery is the main thing. So they have to read well.
Children are ‘tricked’ into a lot of re-reading, which is a key factor in developing fluency. Increased fluency = increased comprehension / understanding of what is being read. Greatly helps academics as they grow older!
Safe, known setting (classroom) and somewhat known audience (classmates + parents) so few jitters only! No risk for the students to fail on stage as no memorization is needed. A great way to start the public speaking journey!
Creates confidence and improves the self-image of students at such an early age!
All this is to help them develop their reading skills in a better way. Why is reading important?
Expands vocabulary and improves fluency
Improves comprehension and understanding
Gives more information, builds confidence
Helps with building a flow in thought process and remembering
Helps with getting context quickly, making connections and predictions
The stories and material help with later problem solving and decision making
Helps to analyse, interpret and communicate better
Helps to become an independent learner and future academic success