US HISTORY READERS THEATER GR 5-8

Why use Readers' Theater in history classes? The format gives students a sense of involvement with the human dramas that make up history. Performers can relate to the tension of a young married couple escaping from slavery to freedom. They can imagine the terror of wading through the water at Omaha Beach as bullets strike their buddies. They can visualize Hugh Glass crawling across rocks and cactus on his 100 mile journey to safety. Each of 15 scripts is accompanied by background information, extension activities (including literature connections), and discussion questions.