Acting Out a Story
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What you will learn
- 1Plan and perform a story dramatization using the beginning, middle, and end
- 2Use character voices, expressive reading, and simple movement to bring a story to life
- 3Apply all Reading Together skills in a final performance
Mini Lesson
Acting out a story is one of the most exciting things a reader can do! When you perform a story, you use everything you know about the characters, the setting, and the plot — and bring it to life for an audience. This is the grand finale of your Reading Together unit!
Plan your story
- Pick a short story everyone knows — from this course or any picture book.
- On paper, write a quick story map: beginning (characters + setting), middle (problem + climax), end (resolution).
- Assign roles: who plays each character? Who is the narrator?
Prepare your performance
- Character voice — give each character a distinct voice. A small mouse speaks quietly and high; a big bear speaks slowly and low.
- Expression — match your voice to the mood: scared → quiet and trembling; excited → loud and fast; sad → slow and soft.
- Movement — use simple actions: tiptoe for sneaking, arms wide for flying, crouching for hiding.
- Narrator — the narrator reads clearly and at a steady pace, setting the scene for the audience.
Perform!
- Speak loudly enough for your audience to hear every word.
- Look up from the page as often as you can — make eye contact with the audience.
- Pause after important moments to let the audience feel the emotion.
- Enjoy it! The audience is rooting for you.
Words to know
Dramatization
Acting out a story for an audience — with voices, expression, and movement
e.g. Our dramatization of The Three Little Pigs was a hit.
Narrator
The person who reads the story parts that are not dialogue
e.g. The narrator set the scene at the start of the show.
Character voice
A special voice you use for each character so they sound different
e.g. She used a squeaky character voice for the little mouse.
Expression
Changing your voice to match the mood — pace, volume, and pitch
e.g. He read the scary part with slow, quiet expression.
Audience
The people who watch and listen to a performance
e.g. The audience clapped at the end of the show.
Ask yourself: "Does my voice show what the character is feeling? Can my audience picture exactly where they are and what is happening?"
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