Recent Articles in Respect, Grades 3-5

The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 2) (R=5.3)
Feb 17, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Non-fiction adventure.  "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 2)" continues 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 2)" 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 students in grades 3–5 and English language learners, "The Great Race of Mercy (Part 1, 2, & 3)" motivates further reading by making history and adventure come alive!  Note:  We also have a middle school and simplified version of this script.

TIME:  about 5 minutes    CAST:  4-7      TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  grade 5.3

The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 3) R= 4.8
Feb 17, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Non-fiction adventure.  "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 3)" concludes 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.  Although this is the last script of the full story, you will 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 3)" 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 elementary students in grades 3-5 and English language learners, "The Great Race of Mercy (Part 1, 2, & 3)" motivates further reading by making history and adventure come alive!  Note:  We also have a middle school and simplified version of this script.

 

TIME:  about 8 1/2 minutes (optional intermission)   CAST:  5-8      TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  grade 4.8

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")

Sack Lunch Flying (Simplified) R = 3.1
Jun 27, 2015

How do you teach about honoring soldiers, veterans, or their memories?  "Sack Lunch Flying (Simplified)" is a free Readers Theater script that will make it easy--both with the touching story and the annotated curriculum links (updated in Jan., 2016) at the end for easy lesson plans.  Perfect for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and patriotic programs, this script contains links to the stories of veterans, plus an opportunity to write someone in the military.  

TIME:  about 4 minutes  TONE:  serious  CAST:  9  READABILITY:  grade 3.1 because of some 3-4 syllable words (e.g., Afghanistan)

The Ants and the Tortilla (R = 4.7, 2.2)
Jun 9, 2015

Character-building fun from a Mexican fable?  Why not?  "The Ants and the Tortilla" Readers Theater script is roughly adapted from a Mexican fable and the children's book The Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb.  This Readers Theater script works well for cross-curricular lessons or unit studies on ants, insects, Mexico, fables, and even Hispanic culture or literature.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "The Ants and the Tortilla" is perfect for elementary students in grades 2, 3, 4, or 5,  ELL or ESL students, special ed, and struggling readers.  This script also comes in a simplified version with a readability of grade 1.3 as well as an advanced version, grade 5.6.  WARNING:  May cause giggles.

TIME:  about 6 1/2 min     CAST:  3-10+       TONE:  serious and light       READABILITY:  grade 4.7  (grade 2.2 substituting "Nar" for Narrator, "Jem" for Jemima, and Jer for Jeremy)

Farmer Funzy: Ducks vs. Chickens (R = 3.4)
Jul 18, 2014

Talking ducks and talking chickens?  Why not?  "Farmer Funzy:  Ducks vs. Chickens" features Farmer Doodle-Cluck, Farmer McQuackup and their fowl with a couple of announcers for the Farmer Funzy show.  Which farm animal is best?  Let the fowl convince you and the audience can decide.  This humorous Readers Theater script includes puns and funnies with non-fiction facts for high motivation for the whole class.  Complete with annotated curriculum links on ducks and chickens "Farmer Funzy:  Ducks vs. Chickens" is perfect for readers in grades 3-5.  (ESL and ELL students may need some of the subtle humor explained.)

TIME:  about 6 1/2 minutes      CAST:  6-30+, 2 choruses      TONE:  light-hearted and educational    READABILITY:  grade 3.4

Farmer Funzy: Ducks vs. Chickens (Simplified) (R = 2.9)
Jul 18, 2014

Talking ducks and talking chickens?  Why not?  "Farmer Funzy:  Ducks vs. Chickens (Simplified)" features Farmer Doodle-Cluck, Farmer McQuackup and their fowl with a couple of announcers for the Farmer Funzy show.  Which farm animal is best?  Let the fowl convince you and the audience can decide.  This humorous Readers Theater script includes puns and funnies with non-fiction facts for high motivation for the whole class.  Complete with annotated curriculum links on ducks and chickens "Farmer Funzy:  Ducks vs. Chickens" is perfect for readers in grades 2-4.  (ESL and ELL students may need some of the subtle humor explained.)

TIME:  6 1/2 minutes      CAST:  6-30+, 2 choruses      TONE:  light-hearted and educational    READABILITY:  grade 2.9 (2.4 replacing "Announcer" with "An")

Save the Zoo! (Part 2) R = 4.9
Nov 7, 2013

How do you teach respect?  This fun Readers Theater script grew from an Australian Script Buffet Club member's desire to teach respect to a diverse set of students.  By incorporating discussions with the 2-part script "Save the Zoo!" students discover examples of respect for self, respect for others, respect for authority, and respect for the environment.  This multi-curricular Readers Theater script includes marsupial facts and a few fun surprises.  Although this is a 2-part Readers Theater script, the two parts may be combined into one performance (about 15 minutes total).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Save the Zoo!" is perfect for elementary students or performances FOR elementary students.  This is "Save the Zoo! (Part 2-American Version)".  Reading this fun script ALWAYS makes me smile!  Enjoy!

 Here's a link to Part 1- American Version

TIME:  5 1/2 minutes      CAST:  6-10+ (optional choruses)     TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 4.9

 

Save the Zoo! (Part 2; R = 4.9)
Nov 5, 2013

How do you teach respect?  This fun Readers Theater script grew from an Australian Script Buffet Club member's desire to teach respect to a diverse set of students.  By incorporating discussions with the 2-part script "Save the Zoo!" students discover examples of respect for self, respect for others, respect for authority, and respect for the environment.  This multi-curricular Readers Theater script includes marsupial facts and a few fun surprises.  Although this is a 2-part Readers Theater script, the two parts may be combined into one performance (about 15 minutes total).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Save the Zoo!" is perfect for elementary students or performances FOR elementary students.  This is "Save the Zoo! (Part 2-American Version)" NOTE: See the Aussie Version link, at the end of the excerpt, for the Australian spellings of some key words (e.g., behaviour, favourite, practising).  Reading this fun script ALWAYS makes me smile!  Enjoy!

TIME:  5 1/2 minutes     CAST:  6-10+ (optional choruses)     TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 4.9

Here's a link for Part 1

Save the Zoo (Part 2-Aussie Version) (R=4.9)
Nov 5, 2013

How do you teach respect?  This fun Readers Theater script grew from an Australian Script Buffet Club member's desire to teach respect to a diverse set of students.  By incorporating discussions with the 2-part script "Save the Zoo!" students discover examples of respect for self, respect for others, respect for authority, and respect for the environment.  This multi-curricular Readers Theater script includes marsupial facts and a few fun surprises.  Although this is a 2-part Readers Theater script, the two parts may be combined into one performance (about 15 minutes total).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Save the Zoo!" is perfect for elementary students or performances FOR elementary students.  This is "Save the Zoo! (Part 2-Aussie Version)" with the Australian spellings of some key words (e.g., behaviour, favourite, practising).  Reading this fun script ALWAYS makes me smile!  Enjoy!

 Here's a link to Part 1

TIME:  5 1/2 minutes      CAST:  6-10+ (optional choruses)     TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 4.9

Save the Zoo! (Part 1-Aussie Version; R = 4.0)
Nov 5, 2013

How do you teach respect?  This fun Readers Theater script grew from an Australian Script Buffet Club member's desire to teach respect to a diverse set of students.  By incorporating discussions with the 2-part script "Save the Zoo!" students discover examples of respect for self, respect for others, respect for authority, and respect for the environment.  This multi-curricular Readers Theater script includes marsupial facts and a few fun surprises.  Although this is a 2-part Readers Theater script, the two parts may be combined into one performance (about 15 minutes total).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Save the Zoo!" is perfect for elementary students or performances FOR elementary students.  This is "Save the Zoo! (Part 1-Aussie Version)" with the Australian spellings of some key words (e.g., behaviour, favourite, practising).  Reading this fun script ALWAYS makes me smile!  Enjoy!

 TIME:  9 1/2 minutes    CAST:  6-10+ (optional choruses)    TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 4.0

Save the Zoo! (Part 1; R = 4.0)
Nov 4, 2013

How do you teach respect?  This fun Readers Theater script grew from an Australian Script Buffet Club member's desire to teach respect to a diverse set of students.  By incorporating discussions with the 2-part script "Save the Zoo!" students discover examples of respect for self, respect for others, respect for authority, and respect for the environment.  This multi-curricular Readers Theater script includes marsupial facts and a few fun surprises.  Although this is a 2-part Readers Theater script, the two parts may be combined into one performance (about 15 minutes total).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Save the Zoo!" is perfect for elementary students or performances FOR elementary students.  This is "Save the Zoo! (Part 1-American Version)" NOTE:  See the Aussie Version for the Australian spellings of some key words (e.g., behaviour, favourite, practising).  Reading this fun script ALWAYS makes me smile!  Enjoy! 

TIME:  9 1/2 minutes    CAST:  6-10+ (optional choruses)    TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 4.0