Something for Everyone

So, what do the children who are not part of the readers theater script do?  Yes, they are suppose to be listening to the story but that doesn't always happen.  I have found that if the children who are in the audience have a part in the story they are happier and listen better to the story.  In just the last year I have discovered a way to get the children in the audience involved.  I have turned the readers' theater into a participation story.  Yes, now the story becomes a readers theater participation story.  I pick out specific words that require the audience to made a sound for or a word for.  For example if the audience hears the word snore they would make a snoring sound.  Of course some times the script has to be worked on to make sure there are enough participation words.  It is amazing to watch the children in the audience when they have a part in the story.  There is just so much more excitement in the room.