Nonfiction Readers Theatre for Beginning Readers

Teachers and librarians are continually looking for an interesting, fun way to input content knowledge to build that background information which will help push up student expository reading scores. Nonfiction readers theatre is one way to accomplish this. Professor Fredericks offers 30 short nonfiction readers theatre plays for the young reader (grades 1-3) on topics ranging from earth and natural science to community helpers, holidays, and government.

Test scores across the country show American students are far more able to read narrative than nonfiction text. Some research speculates this is due to a great lack in the background knowledge of many children. Librarians are beginning to realize that a unique fit for the school librarian is as a provider of background knowledge materials for teachers to use.

Teachers are continually looking for an interesting fun way to input content knowledge to build background information that will help boost expository reading scores. Nonfiction readers theatre is one way to accomplish this. Fredericks offers 30 short nonfiction readers theatre plays for the young reader on topics ranging from earth and natural science to community helpers, holidays, and government. All topics are tied to usual curriculum in the primary grades. Reading each play will expose students to factual, curricular-related information in a fun way, as well as contributing to the student's ability to understand nonfiction text and read fluently. Each play offers an activity or science experiment and a list of further readings and/or references.

ANTHONY D. FREDERICKS has written more than 20 books for Teacher Ideas Press. A former reading specialist and classroom teacher, he is currently professor of education, York College, York, Pennsylvania. Tony is the author of more than 65 teacher resource books, over 30 award-winning children's books, and several trade books on effective teaching.