Little Red Hen - Primary Concepts

1 Readers Theater The LittleRed HenPrimary Concepts Scripts for Young ReadersRT_LittleRedHen 12/3/05 11:17 AM Page iiReaders Theater The LittleRed HenPrimary Concepts Scripts for Young Readers3856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 1 Story Retold by Joan WestleyEdited by Stephanie KruseIllustrated by John PalaciosDesign and Production by Candy Wesen 2006 Primary ConceptsNo part of this book may be reproduced by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Published in the U. S. : 978-1-893791-45-93856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 2 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen3A Little red hen was out for a walk one day. She found some grains of wheat.

2 I ll make some bread, she said. She decided to ask for help. 43213856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 3 The Little Red Hen Primary Concepts Who will help me plant this wheat? asked the Little red hen. Not I , said the cat. Not I , said the dog. Not I , said the 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 4 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen5 Then I will do it myself, said the she did. All13856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 5 The Little Red Hen Primary Concepts Who will help me cut the wheat? asked the Little red hen. Not I , said the cat. Not I , said the dog. Not I , said the 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 6 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen7 Then I will, said the she did.

3 All13856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 7 The Little Red Hen Primary Concepts Who will help me take the wheat to the mill? asked the Little red hen. Not I , said the cat. Not I , said the dog. Not I , said the 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 8 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen9 Then I will, said the she did. All13856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 9 The Little Red Hen Primary Concepts Who will help me bake the bread? asked the Little red hen. Not I , said the cat. Not I , said the dog. Not I , said the 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 10 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen11 Then I will, said the she did. All13856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 11 The Little Red Hen Primary Concepts Who will help me eat the bread?

4 Asked the Little red hen. I will! said the cat. I will! said the dog. I will! said the 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 12 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen13 But the Little red hen said, All by myself, I planted the cut the took the wheat to the mixed the baked the bread. 2143213856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 13 The Little Red Hen Primary Concepts Now I will eat the bread, all by myself, she she did. All3143856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 14 Primary ConceptsThe Little Red Hen15A Note to the Teacher Primary Concepts Readers Theater scripts are a powerful way to helpchildren develop fluent reading skills as they become acquainted withchildren s literature classics.

5 Readers Theater provides the followingbenefits: develops skill in pacing, articulation, phrasing, and expression in oral reading encourages children to monitor their own reading for fluency builds cooperative skills in a small group acquaints young readers with time-honored favorites from children s literatureReaders Theater is the performance of literature that is read aloudexpressively rather than acted. Because the goal is to perform the selections in front of a group, Readers Theater gives children an incentive for reading familiar text over and over, thus improving their fluency. Using the ScriptsStudents work in groups four. They either choose or are assigned a part (1, 2, 3, or 4) to practice.

6 Practice Makes PerfectEach child should be given his or her own script book. The group reads and rereads the text, perfecting their fluency, pacing, phrasing,expression, and the flow from one reader to the next. The group canlisten to the audio model of the script, or you may wish to model thereading yourself. Students typically listen critically to their own readings and try to improve with each reading. Members of the group should be encouragedto listen attentively and give each other feedback on the students how to give positive feedback by first telling what isworking, then what might be improved and how. 3856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 15As the groups become proficient in their readings, you might want toencourage them to experiment with special ways to read the text: using expressive voices saying some words or phrases loudly and others softly slowing down or speeding up text shortening or lengthening pauses Performance TimeAfter the children have practiced to near perfection, have them read selections in front of an audience: their classmates, another classroom, or parents.

7 Consider inviting parents for a Readers Theater Tea. Studentswill enjoy making the invitations. The formal tea will make all their hard work pay off with the applause of pleased costumes or props are required for these performances. The main focus is on the celebration of reading. Other ResourcesReaders Theater script books and audio are available in several genres. For these and other resources for teachers, please consult a PrimaryConcepts catalog or visit our website at Little Red Hen Primary Concepts163856_RT_LitRedHen 12/21/05 1:54 AM Page 16