The Ugly Duckling Readers Theater Scripts are a simple, effective way to put fluency practice into your lessons—without extra prep. With two leveled versions, pre-highlighted lines, and visual tools like name tags and puppets, it’s easy to support students at different reading levels.
The Ugly Duckling Readers Theater scripts are made to support fluency instruction without piling on extra prep work.
You’ll also receive two helpful teacher guides: one with practical tips for using the scripts in your classroom, and another with step-by-step instructions for using the Google Slides version.
These Readers Theater scripts are designed to save you prep time while supporting meaningful fluency practice. With two levels of reading and pre-highlighted lines, they’re easy to use right away—no extra formatting needed. Whether you’re just getting started or using Readers Theater as part of your regular routine, these scripts keep things simple for you and engaging for your students.
The Ugly Duckling works really well for Readers Theater because it gives students a chance to practice character growth in a way that’s easy to follow. The duckling’s feelings throughout the story helps your students read expressively.
Readers Theater gives students a chance to focus on how they read—not just what they read. As they practice their lines, they start thinking about tone, pacing, and when to pause, all of which strengthens fluency. It also sharpens listening and comprehension skills since they need to follow the flow of the script and know when it’s their turn.
Visit the Readers Theater blog series on TeachingFirsties for more ideas and support. You’ll find tips, examples, and classroom strategies that make it easier to get started and keep things running smoothly:
Each post offers practical advice to help you build fluency, simplify prep, and keep your students engaged during every step of the process.
The Ugly Duckling Readers Theater Scripts offer a simple, structured way to help your students build fluency, expression, and confidence—without adding more to your prep list. With leveled scripts, visual supports, and a ready-to-use format, it’s easy to differentiate instruction and keep students engaged.
Ready to use—just print and go!
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Sarah T.
"The activities are fun, interactive, and align perfectly with the curriculum standards. I love how easy it is to incorporate them into my lesson plans, and my students have improved their spelling skills significantly since we started using these activities."
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1 review for The Ugly Duckling Readers Theater Scripts
H. Ellis (verified owner) –
Having everything highlighted saved me tons of time!
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