Bring the classic folktale of The Little Red Hen to life with this decodable three-page reader's theater script! Perfect for building confidence in young readers, this script helps develop fluency and expressive reading, all while encouraging teamwork. With simple, repetitive lines and a humorous storyline, it's an ideal choice for classroom performances, reading centers, or small group practice.
 
And while this script was written for first graders near the middle of the school year, it would also be a good fit for kindergarteners or second grade students reading at that level. Pair this script with a trade book or video and you’re ready to cover CCSS.ELA – Literacy.RL.2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures.
 
What is reader’s theater?
Reader's theater is a reading activity where students are placed in small groups and perform a script aloud multiple times without any actions, props, or costumes. Each student reads one character’s lines, focusing on expression and fluency.
 
How does reader’s theater help build fluency?
Reader's theater helps build fluency by giving students repeated, meaningful practice with a script. Research has shown that reading the same word multiple times helps move it from short term to long term memory.
 
Engaging, effective, and fun—this The Little Red Hen reader's theater script is a fantastic way to boost fluency and reading confidence in young learners!
 
To see if this script will be a good fit for your students, consider checking out the prerequisite skills in the free Foundational Phonics Scope and Sequence.