Begin slowly. Start the process by modeling fluent, expressive reading for your students.
Involve students in reading in unison and round-robin reading where students take turns reading sentences or paragraphs of a story.
Show students a script. Discuss the format with them noting the character's names, stage directions and other details they may not be familiar with.
Find a prepared script that will interest the class and introduce it to the students. Give kids the opportunity to try out different parts in class, then choose roles themselves. Alternatively, randomly assign roles. Keep in mind that students who struggle with reading, may need a smaller part.
Give students time to practice. Many children have a desire to express themselves through performing. This means that even struggling readers will usually take time to practice their scripts. However, most experts agree that students should not memorize the script so that the reading value of reader's theater stays intact.
Make name tags. Write each character's name on a piece of card stock. Hang each student's character name tag around their neck for the performance.
Perform the reader's theater in front of an audience. The audience can be family members or another classroom. Have the students stand in a straight line across the front of the room. Kids, scripts in hand, take turns reading their parts expressively. Alternatively, set up chairs and have each student stand to read his part.