Home » News & Events » Reader’s Theater Builds Confidence
Each week, small groups of fourth and fifth graders gather in the nooks and crannies of their Glen Haven Elementary School in Wheaton. Some gather in a quiet hallway, others in a storage room. They begin to read aloud, speaking in the voices they believe the characters they were assigned would use. They go over the pages slowly, because these students need to build confidence and fluency in their reading. Led by a volunteer from Jewish Council for the Aging’s Heyman Interages® Center, the students feel increasingly more comfortable with their reading skills.
When the eight-to-ten-week Reader’s Theater program draws to a close, the students act out their book in front of their younger classmates. Sometimes they create props and outfits, with help from JCA volunteers. “I like acting and helping little kids,” said nine-year-old Bella. Her classmate, Allison, 9, agreed. “I like acting and expressing stuff,” she shared. Added Riya, who is also 9, “I like reading books, and I like acting out, and it helps me conquer my fear of stage fright.”
Emily Harris loves interacting with her students. She retired in 2019, and within two weeks, she was seeking volunteer opportunities in Montgomery County when she first learned about JCA’s Interages programs. Her first assignment was tutoring second graders. She would sit in the back of the classroom as the teacher sent students back to meet with her. She offered support and worked with them one-on-one to build their literacy skills until the pandemic hit.
Once the schools reopened, Emily stayed on Zoom until she felt confident stepping into a room full of children again. That’s when she connected with the Reader’s Theater program, which is offered at a few schools in Montgomery County. She still helps one fifth grader by providing individual tutoring, mostly in math. “I just think that if whatever we are doing helps a little, that’s great,” Emily said. She grew up learning the importance of helping others, and she was also well aware that her family could never have afforded a private tutor had she needed one. “I just feel like kids are our future,” Emily shared. And besides, “It is fun to work with kids. They have fun energy.”
Kevin Welber was a lawyer for more than three decades. After retiring, he searched for something to do involving young people. He began volunteering with Interages. At first, he helped one student with reading. He also volunteered as a foster grandparent and with Reader’s Theater. “I think I inherited this from my Jewish mother. I just feel happy around kids,” he said, adding, “I kind of think it’s like a second career.” Kevin praised Reader’s Theater, noting, “The kids like it. You can see it builds their confidence.”
Recently, one Reader’s Theater group was reading Blackout, which takes place in a world where there are no televisions, computers, or modern conveniences. Another group was rehearsing The Great Lemonade Standoff, and yet another group was getting their parts for The Dod’s Last Stand.
Rochelle Jones, an Interages program coordinator, enjoys seeing the progress students and her volunteers make during their time with Reader’s Theater. “I think it’s a great program. The volunteers really get excited. They get into it.” Some volunteers bring props and even make their own props, Rochelle added. “They do a great job getting students into reading and acting.”
JCA’s Interages programs have multiple volunteer opportunities, and we need more volunteers to help us reach as many students as possible. Interested adults who are 50 years and older should contact us.
