reader's theater - practicing and preparing

On Tuesday the Kindergarteners began to practice for their reading of I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. We talked about welcoming the audience, introducing the book, and sharing a little about Jon Klassen's writing. We discussed transitions and what the children know about transitions;

transitions should be...

mindful
organized
quiet and careful

Our focus throughout the week has not only been on the reading of the story, but in how the story is read. The children have practiced (and practiced) projecting their voices and reading with expression. While our discussions about Reader's Theater and the importance of practice have been serious, we have celebrated the children's growth! I am not surprised by their self-control and patience, by their engagement and involvement. They truly are a community of avid readers - supporting one another, reading with fluency and expression, and thinking deeply about Jon Klassen's work. It is a true pleasure to support them as they prepare for sharing their love for reading and community with their families on June 1st.

On Friday morning I invited students to 'unscramble' and build the first two sentences from our book;

My hat is gone.
I want it back.

Following the cutting, building, gluing and reading of the sentences, each child used sharpies and paint to represent the main character in the story - the bear. Look for pictures of their final pieces as well as additional Jon Klassen inspired art in the coming days!

 

In the below photographs, children work to build the first two sentences from I Want My Hat Back during Fundations, connecting our literacy work to our Reader's Theater preparations! Later in the morning they represent the main character, the bear.