Literacy in Action: Fluency & Comprehension Through Theater
A Short-Term Reading Intervention Schools Can Implement Before Testing
The Challenge
Many upper elementary students can decode words accurately but still struggle to explain what the text means.
These students often:
read without expression or phrasing
struggle to explain a passage
miss key ideas on reading assessments
Improving comprehension requires strengthening the connection between fluency and meaning.
The Solution
Literacy in Action: Fluency and Comprehension Through Theater is an approach developed by educator Kimberly Ballou while teaching students who could decode the words but struggled to understand the text.
The scripted, 12-session program uses acting techniques and performance reading along with explicit instruction to help students make reading concrete and meaningful.
Actors must understand a script before they can perform it.
Students use the same process to analyze text, interpret meaning, and communicate it clearly.
Why Theater Works for Reading
Theater techniques require students to:
• analyze the meaning of text
• interpret tone and intent
• phrase sentences for meaning
• read with expression and clarity
These skills strengthen oral reading fluency and comprehension together, which research shows are closely connected to understanding grade-level text.
Immediate Application Through Active Learning
Students don’t just learn strategies—they use them immediately through theater activities.
Students practice by:
• rehearsing short passages and scripts
• experimenting with phrasing and expression
• interpreting meaning through performance
• working collaboratively to communicate ideas clearly
This process helps students actively process text, rather than simply reading words.
Designed for Students Who Need a Targeted improvement
This program is especially helpful for students who:
✔ can decode but struggle to understand text
✔ read without expression or phrasing
✔ struggle to explain what they read
✔ need stronger fluency to support comprehension
Book a SHORT DISCOVERY CALL
A Flexible Short-Term Intervention
Because the program runs 4–6 weeks (or can be shortened to 3), schools can still implement it before standardized testing.
It works well as a Tier 2 MTSS intervention because it includes:
• Pre- and post-assessments to measure growth
• Clear progress monitoring
• Targeted skill instruction
• High student engagement
The program supplements existing literacy instruction rather than replacing it.
What Schools Often See
Schools frequently report:
• improved oral reading fluency
• increased engagement in reading
• improved ability to explain and discuss text
• increased ability to answer comprehension questions
Strengthening fluency and comprehension together helps students better process grade-level passages and assessment questions.
“Throughout the program, I saw growth in the students’ ability to express themselves, their thoughts, their feelings, and what they thought should have happened during the lesson. I’ve also seen a large increase in reading fluency–more of an increase than I had expected.” - Connie J.
“After completing Literacy in Action, my class increased an average of 17 words correct per minute in oral reading fluency, and I saw noticeable improvement in students’ ability to discuss and explain what they read.” - Tracy C.
“By the end of the program, 100% of my students had improved their comprehension scores on the post-test. The theater activities helped students slow down, think about meaning, and read with purpose.” - Stephanie L.
Learn More
See if this intervention could help your students before testing.
Schedule a short 10–15 minute conversation: