Implementation Tools

We offer an array of implementation tools along with our Playbooks® titles to help you get started in the classroom. 

Excited about your New Playbooks®?

Thousands of schools and after-school and summer programs nationwide have purchased Playbooks® and used the role-play reading technique year after year, while positively affecting the reading skills of millions of students. Find out below how to implement an effective and fun Reader's Theater Program!

SCROLL DOWN TO FIND IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS FOR EACH OF OUR THREE PRODUCT LINES, PLAYBOOKS®, READER'S THEATER JR, AND PASSENGERS.

GEt Started QUICKLY - 5 MInute overview to Playbooks®

Quick Start Video

Click on the image above to watch!

Don't have much time and want to get started? Watch this 7-minute video for a quick overview on Reader's Theater and how to get started.

"Quick Start" Guide

Short on time? Click on the image above to get your Quick Start Guide. It will get you going in only a few minutes!

For A Full Implementation - Download the Teachers Guide & Watch the Videos

Playbooks® Teacher's Guide

A full overview on everything you need to implement your program. This guide includes the Quick Start guide, a program overview, the Step-by -Step guide and copies of all the forms needed.

Reader's Theater Overview

Learn about Reader's Theater and how teachers can be use it to teach reading fluency in a fun and engaging way.

Playbooks Reader's Theater Format Overview

Learn more about our patented reader's theater format, with easier and harder roles in the same texts. Students at different levels can read together confidently. Additionally, our color coded text makes it easier for students to follow along.

Implementation FORMS

The forms below are also in the Step-By-Step guide but we've provided direct links below. If you don't find what you need there, we are happy to send them if you email us at info@readerstheater.com).

GETTING STARTED - TEACHER PREPERATION

FORM 1A - Student Information Form

Click on the image above to download.

Teacher Preparation.

Before you start, use this form to enter all students’ names in the first column and any notes (age, grade, any known tested reading level, personality traits such as shy or outgoing, etc.)

FORM 1B - STUDENT INTERESTS POLL

Click on the image above to download.

After the introduction to Reader's Theater (using the student videos below), poll the students in a “raise your hand” format with this form, #1B, or have them fill it out themselves and hand back.

GET Your Students excited Too!

When you are set to introduce Reader's Theater to your students, you can show them either of these fun videos to explain how it works, and all the fun you'll have together! 

K-5 Implementation VIDEO for STUDENTS

Grade 6- 12 IMPLEMENTATION VIDEO FOR STUDENTS

Leveling & Role Assignments

FORM 2A - Teacher Oral Readability Test

Click on the image above to download.

To determine your students' Readability Stages for Playbook® stories, ask each student individually to read aloud the series of sentences for the appropriate grade level from Form #2B Student Oral Readability Test. Use their answers to write a check mark next to the most accurate description of the student's ease while reading the
sentence. Use this to determine their level. Test each student at the beginning of the Reader's
Theater program, in the middle, and again at the end to track their progress and record on the form (see the form for more in-depth instructions)

FORM 2B- STUDENT Oral Readability Test

Click on the image above to download.

Provide this form to students to read from. See Form #2A for full instructions for use of this form.

Form 2C - READING LEVEL CORRELATION

Click on the image above to download.

In order to assist teachers and
facilitate the assigning of roles for Reader’s Theater small group reading, Playbooks®, Inc. has developed a simplified series
of reading levels. The following provides an approximate correlation between these levels and other reading level scales.

See below for Role Reader Assignment Forms, and our webinars on 10-Story Rotations for our multi-story sets.

PROPER ROLE ASSIGNMENT

Proper role assignment creates the most successful reading experience for the students and the most effective reading growth. ​Assign character roles with care so every student has the opportunity to shine in front of their peers.  Click on the image above to watch.

Follow along with this training PowerPoint below. Click on the text to view.

CLICK FOR ROLE ASSIGNMENT GUIDE

Form 4 - Role Assignment Forms

Click on the image above to view all the role reader assignments for each story

The ultimate Reader's Theater experience happens when students have each been assigned a character role that they can read with success in front of their peers. Each Playbooks® Story/Script has a Recommended Reader Assignment Chart to help teachers assign roles with purpose and care.

Form 5 - 10-Story Rotation Webinar - USE THIS TO IMPLEMENT A 10 WEEK PROGRAM

Click on the image above to watch the 10-week rotation webinar.

If you purchased the bundle kits, they are ideal for a 10-week program. You can also do with individual titles. This webinar teaches how to ensure student growth by employing proper role assignments, student grouping, effective story repetition and rotation, expressive reading techniques and behavior, and more.

For the form as a PDF, click here.

To access an Excel file to use when assigning stories, click here

ASSESSMENT FORMS & FIDELITY CHECKLIST

Instructors may use the reading tests Pre-Program, Mid-Program, and Post-Program in order to track growth in reading fluency. Below you'll also find our Fidelity Checklist.

FORM #3 Reading Behavior Test

Use reading tests Pre-Program, Mid-Program, and Post-Program in order to track growth in reading fluency. Instructors should be discreet and non-threatening while evaluating reading behavior

Observe your students while they read their roles in a small group setting with other students. Evaluate each student's reading skills with this form at the beginning of your multi-week Reader's Theater program, in the middle, and again at the end. Fill out a sheet foreach student separately and mark their skills in the correct column using a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.

To download an Excel version for use across students, click here

Form #6 - Classroom Assessment Forms

Record here overall results from
readability and reading behavior assessments pre-program, mid-program, and post-program for all students in the Reader’s Theater program. This form can be shared with admins, grant writers, etc.!

FIDELITY CHECK LIST

Want to make sure you are implementing everything correctly? Use our Fidelity of Implementation Checklist to ensure you hit all the steps

Additional REsources

Reading with Expression REMINDERS

Use these tips to encourage your students to do their best while reading the stories!

Interactive Over-Acting Warm-up Exercise

For a comprehensive series of expression exercises:

click here for Grades K-3

click here for Grades 4 and up!

SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES

It's not about the Playbooks® story, in addition to a fun book to read with your students, you also get a full workbook of fun activities, games, quizzes and an answer key that relates to each of the stories. Click on the image above to access.

AWARD CERTIFICATES

Make your students feel like stars with these performance awards including Most Encouraging Performer, Best Comedy, Best Facial Expressions and more! Makes the program fun and builds confidence. 

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS FOR READER'S THEATER JR.

TEACHER'S IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Click on the image above to download the Teacher's Implementation Guide here. The guide walks you through how to get up and running with your Reader's Theater Jr program in no time!

ROLE ASSIGNMENT CHART

Click on the image above to download the forms to properly assign roles to your students and maximize fun and confidence. Roles are assigned as good, better and best readers.

Implementation Tools for Passengers

QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS

Click on the Image above to download this one page quick start guide. Role are assigned from Easiest to Highest with 5 Passengers and the Conductor.

TEACHER'S GUIDE

Click on the Image above to download this teacher's guide with full instructions on how to implement these programs.

BRAG BADGES

Make students even more excited to participate with these brag badges. Passengers get awards to finishing all the train cars together! Woo hoo!

See Playbooks® In Action

Playbooks® In The Classroom

See how we partnered with one group on their after school program.