Recent Articles in Character Building Scripts, Grades K-2

The Dog and the Wolf (R=2.7)
May 4, 2017

Another script in our series on Aesop's Fables, "The Dog and the Wolf" creates a conflict with no real resolution.  Who is right?  Let your students decide.  This flexible script could be used with any age level.  Younger students will enjoy the story.  Older students will appreciate the thought-provoking discussions you may choose. This serious script with a few light-hearted lines explores deeper issues suitable for grades 3-5, 6-8, and up.  You could include it in a study on slavery and the Underground Railroad or just keep it as a fun story by Aesop.  "The Dog and the Wolf" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  (Updated 2017.) What moral do your students suggest for this Readers Theater script? 

TIME: 3 1/2 min.     CAST: 4      TONE: serious and light       READABILITY: grade 2.7

(Note:  This script is included in our coming Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1".)

The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey (R = 2.6)
May 4, 2017

Ask your students, "Can you ever please everybody?"  Then let them enjoy this humorous adaptation of another of Aesop's Fables, "The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey–Crazy?" This Readers Theater script has many parts, but we show you how to easily combine parts for fewer readers. It's perfect for primary students, struggling readers, or ESL (ESOL) classes.  Older students will also enjoy interpreting the characters. "The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey–Crazy?" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  (Updated 2017.)  Use it with some of our other Readers Theater fables for a program featuring Aesop's Fables.  (Note:  This script is part of our coming Flexi-Curric™ Store Product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1.") 

TIME:  about 3 minutes  CAST: 2-12  TONE: light   READABILITY: 2.6

The Beaver and the Lumberjack (R=3.3)
May 4, 2017

Short.  Spunky!  Character building. "The Beaver and the Lumberjack" Readers Theater is adapted from one of Aesop's Fables.  The original Aesop's Fable is known as "The Honest Woodcutter," "The Honest Woodman," "The Golden Axe," "Mercury and the Woodsmen," and more. Part of our character building category,"The Beaver and the Lumberjack" comes with vocabulary and annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  (Updated 2021.)  (Note:  This script is included in our Flexi-Curric™ TPT Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1".)

 If you like simple fun for a small groups it should be perfect!  Or, use the script chorally with two groups reading the character parts and the teacher reading the narrator parts.  Although the readability is grade 3, Aesop's Fables are classic, so this script motivates students in grades 2-8.  Use it as a springboard for discussion–even in middle school. 

TIME: 3 minutes    CAST: 2-4 (or 2 choral groups plus narrator)  TONE:  varies (sad and light)   READABILITY: grade 3.3

The Frogs Who Wished for a King (R = 2.5)
May 4, 2017

Are you looking for a script for a variety of readers at different reading levels?  "The Frogs Who Wished for a King," has a few stimulating vocabulary words for three characters (e.g.,  Señor Sage Frog).  But, this Readers Theater adaptation of Aesop's Fable includes a frog chorus for challenged readers, too (e.g., "Ribbit.  Ribbit.  Ribbit.  Zing!").  Aesop does not mention an election in his story, but our Reader's Theater adaptation includes one where the frog chorus cheers, "Bubba!  Bubba!  Bubba!..." Keep the discussion light, or dig deeper because historically this Aesop's fable has had political undertones. Perfect for grades 2-8, "The Frogs Who Wished for a King" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  (Updated 2017.)  (Note:  This script is included in our coming Flexi-Curric™ Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol 1.")  

TIME:  9 1/2 min  CAST: 2-9+  TONE:  serious & light  READABILITY:  grade 2.5

The Council of Mice (R = 2.8)
May 4, 2017

Adapted from Aesop's Fables for Readers Theater, "The Council of Mice" provides an opportunity for a wide range of readers to participate in the fun.  The "Council" functions as a chorus in this creative twist on a sometimes familiar story.  Casting suggestions show you how to adapt the script so any number of readers.  Perfect for grades 2-8, "The Council of Mice" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  (Note:  This script is part of our coming Flexi-Curric™ STORE product , "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1".)   

TIME:  about 5 1/2 minutes  CAST:  2-9+  TONE: somewhat light  READABILITY:  grade 2.8

The Fox and the Crow (R = 3.3)
May 4, 2017

So, you think you know Aesop's Fable "The Fox and the Crow"?  This script for puppets or Readers Theater continues the story and adds a humorous twist at the end to please any audience.  Perfect for 2, 3, or 4 readers or choral groups, "The Fox and the Crow" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  (Updated 2017.)  (Note:  This script is part of our coming Flexi-Curric™ Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1.") 

TIME: 2 1/2 --3 minutes  CAST: 2-4+  TONE:  thought-provoking and fun  READABILITY:  grade 3.3

The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 1, Middle School) R=6.5
Feb 15, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Non-fiction adventure.  "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 1, Middle School)" begins this exciting 3-part story from history.   Invite your students to participate in the Great Race of Mercy in 1925 that saved children and adults in Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic.  You can find other related scripts in our Iditarod section (e.g., "Togo–Sled Dog Hero").  Like all of our scripts, "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 1, Middle School)" comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  The Iditarod, held in March in Alaska every year, commemorates The Great Race of Mercy (also known as The Great Serum Race).  Students love tracking the adventure and reliving the thrill of people committed to helping save the lives of others.  Perfect for middle school students and adults, "The Great Race of Mercy (Part 1,2, & 3, Middle School)" motivates further reading by making history and adventure come alive!

TIME:  about 8 minutes    CAST:  2-6      TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  grade 6.5

 

The Great Race (R=.8-1.8, think K-1)
Feb 13, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Nonfiction adventure.  "The Great Race" remembers The Great Race of Mercy in 1925 saving Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic.  Twenty sled dog teams and their mushers raced a non-stop relay to rush the life-saving antitoxin serum to the doctor in the middle of a winter snowstorm.  This easy script is in our Holidays, Seasons & Events category and comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, too.  Perfect for those who can read at a first grade level or above, the 2-character script may be used chorally or as a partner play with two font options.  (Note:  This script may be too juvenile for adult learners, but we have other scripts they may like from the same race including "Togo Tales." Use the search box or go to our Store)

TIME:  about 1 minute      CAST:  2 (or 2 choral groups)   TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  about grade 1

Togo (R-3.1)
Feb 28, 2016

Togo ran as lead sled dog for the historic Great Race of Mercy–also known as the Great Serum Race in 1925.  "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, a True Story (Part 1–Simplified)" tells a story of Togo as a "delinquent" pup.  Although this script may stand alone, students will want to read parts 2 and 3 to learn more about the sled dog hero.  This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  There are three versions of this script:  original (R= 4.7 ), simplified (R= 3.1 ), and advanced (R = 5.9 ).  The simplified version in the easiest version.  (We also have a primary level set of 3 short scripts on the life of Togo, "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" with a readability of grade 1.2)  A Script Buffet Club member requested a script on the Iditarod, so now we have a growing collection for readers of different levels.

TIME:  about 4 minutes     CAST:  3-5      TONE:  serious      READABILITY:  grade 3.1 (grade 2.2 substituting "Nat" for "Narrator)

Togo (R-3.5)
Feb 28, 2016

Historical adventure.  One of 3 scripts on the life of Togo, a sled dog hero. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, A True Story (Part 2, Simplified)"  describes one of Togo's adventures BEFORE the historic sled dog relay for The Great Serum Race (i.e., The Great Race of Mercy) in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.  This script may stand alone;  however, if you want to know more about Togo's adventures as a pup and a grown dog see parts 1 and 3. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  There are three versions of this script:  original (R=5.0), simplified (R = 3.5), and advanced (R = 5.7).  The simplified version is the easiest version.  (We also have a primary level script called "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" that includes 3 short scripts about Togo with a readability of grade 1.2)  Since a Script Buffet Club member requested a script on the Iditarod, we have a growing collection of exciting scripts.  

TIME:  about 5 minutes       CAST:  3-5      TONE:  serious        READABILITY:  grade 3.5 (2.3 substituting "Nat" for "Narrator")

Togo (R-3.2)
Feb 28, 2016

Historical adventure.  One of 3 scripts on the life of Togo, a sled dog hero. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, A True Story (Part 3, Simplified)"  tells Togo's part in the historic sled dog relay for The Great Serum Race–also known as The Great Race of Mercy–in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.  This script may stand alone;  however, if you want to know more about Togo's adventures as a pup and a grown dog see parts 1 and 2. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  There are three versions of this script:  original (R=4.5), simplified(R = 3.2), and advanced (R = 5.5).  The simplified version is the easiest version.  (We also have a primary level script called "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" that includes 3 short scripts about Togo with a readability of grade 1.2)  We have a growing collection of scripts on the Iditarod because of a Script Buffet Club member's request.  

TIME:  about 5 minutes       CAST:  3-9      TONE:  serious        READABILITY:  grade 3.2 (2.3 substituting "Nat" for "Narrator")

Togo Tales (R=1.2)
Feb 20, 2016

3 easy scripts.  Character-building stories.  Sled dog adventures.  "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" includes these three true stories:  "Togo Runs Away," "Togo Saves the Team," and "Togo Leads the Way."  Togo became a key sled dog for The Great Serum Race–also known as The Great Race of Mercy–in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.  He led his team more miles than any other team;  however, he did not make newspaper headlines because he did not deliver the life-saving serum to Nome.  (Balto, another sled dog, became famous for that.)  The annual Iditarod Race commemorates the historic serum race and travels the same trail.  A Script Buffet Club member requested an Iditarod script.  "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" is part of our growing Iditarod collection of Readers Theater scripts.  Perfect for primary level students, ELL and ESL students, and special ed students, "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" provides plenty of Readers Theater fun.  Includes vocabulary lists, tips, and over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

TIME: about 2+ minutes each    CAST: 3-6+ (optional choruses)    TONE:  serious, exciting   READABILITY:  grade 1.2