Reader's Theater: Why Only Birds Fly South for the Winter

Take a flight south with this two-page third and fourth grade reader’s theater worksheet! Students will take on the roles of Turtle, Birds, and three narrators as they perform a folktale explaining why birds fly south for the winter while turtles sleep through the winter. The script gives young readers opportunities to practice reading dialogue with appropriate pacing, expression, and fluency.

This reader’s theater supports reading fluency, oral reading, and comprehension while introducing students to the structure of a folktale. As learners perform the story, they practice reading with accuracy and expression while following character actions and events. Performing a short drama also gives students a collaborative way to strengthen confidence and develop their understanding of literary texts.

For more Readers Theater reading comprehension worksheets, check out Reader's Theater Fluency Practice: Davy and His Amazing Talking Dog and Reader's Theater Fluency Practice: Cleaning Up is Hard to Do.