A Study of the Effects of Readers' Theater on Second and Third Grade Special Education Students' Fluency Growth.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a readers' theater fluency program. The participants were 12 students with learning disabilities in a combined second/ third grade exceptional education classroom. Through the use of pre and post reading attitude surveys, field notes recorded by the observer, and pre and post oral fluency running records it was determined that readers' theater is effective in improving student interest in reading, confidence in reading, and overall fluency in number of words read correctly per minute. Implications are that fluency programs are beneficial in primary grades and provide the foundation necessary for student attainment of vocabulary and comprehension skills. How do we help children learn to read at a normal pace and understand what's being read? How can we help children read with expression and intonation? This article summarizes a readers' theater program that was effective in improving student interest in reading, confidence in reading, and overall fluency in number of words read correctly per minute.