Recent Articles in Holiday, Season, and Event Scripts, Grades 3-5

Dog Jog Adventure (Advanced; R = 3.0)
Feb 29, 2012

How would you like to go jogging with three big dogs who are not really obedient?  Believe it or not a teacher did and told her story in a Chicken Soup for the Soul story.  I adapted the story a lot for children here in a fun Readers Theater script, "Dog Jog Adventure." 
Because the children in this script are older elementary or teenagers, this script is perfect for mixed ages and abilities--upper elementary, middle school, high school, ESL or ESOL, adults, and family fun.  Since the readability is about third grade, it should be perfect for literacy tutoring, too. You also have the option of using a narrator and two choral reading groups.  NOTE:  This is the advanced version with a more extensive vocabulary.  (The easier version is grade 2.7)

Complete with annotated curriculum links (including You Tube) for easy lesson plans, "Dog Jog Adventure" works well as part of a unit study on fitness, pets or dogs.

TIME: 7 minutes    CAST: 3 or a narrator and two choral groups     TONE: light, fun   READABILITY:  grade 3.0

 

Winter Faces (R = 0.1, 1.6)
Feb 7, 2012

Easy. Short.  Fun.  Choral Readers Theater for beginning readers.  "Winter Faces" is a poem based on a winter game our children played.  You may copy it to your board or screen to save paper since it's so short.  With two full pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Winter Faces" easily adapts to unit studies on winter or quick rainy day lessons.  Perfect for grades K, 1, 2, ESL, special ed, and remedial readers, "Winter Faces" may inspire winter chases!

TIME:  about 30 seconds    CAST:  2+ or 2 groups      TONE:  cheery    READABILITY: grade 0.1 but the cast names, "artists" and "runners", elevate the grade level to 1.6

Oh, My Heart, Heart, Heart (R = 3.8)
Feb 3, 2012

Lub-dub.  Lub-dub.  Lub-dub,. Lub-dub.   Here's a fun Readers Theater script for 2-25+ readers on the human heart.  "Oh, My Heart, Heart, Heart" also easily works for Choral Readers Theater with the whole class.  Perfect for integrated curriculums, emergency substitute teacher plans, or health/science unit studies, this heart-healthy script comes with two pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  Since it's short, it can be a launching pad for a short study on the heart for Valentine's Day or American Heart Health month (February). 

 We have added a Flexi-Curric™ version in our store with thinking questions, worksheets, and extension activities.

 TIME:  3 1/2 minutes      CAST: 2-25+ (Choral Reading option)   TONE:  light, educational    READABILITY: grade 3.8

Super Bowl Students vs. Salamander Sly (R = 3.4)
Jan 27, 2012

Once again Salamander Sly and his team, The Distractions, challenge the students on the field.  But, this time it's the Super Bowl Students, "the best of the best."  "Super Bowl Students vs. Salamander Sly" is the second free Readers Theater script where the students battle The Distractions, only this time it's the mysterious play-off game.  Although this character-building script was written by request for Super Bowl season, it's useful anytime for a wide range of ages since "Kids Talk Sports" relates to all.

Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Super Bowl Students vs. Salamander Sly" is perfect for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 performing, but may also help ESL/ESOL and remedial classes.  Grab another family for some family fun even!   Since it includes a chorus, any number of students may participate.

TIME:  13 minutes        CAST:  6-7+         TONE:  fun, exciting          READABILITY:  grade 3.4

Percy and Pudge: The Sand Castle (R = 2.1)
Dec 31, 2011

Character-building fun at its best, "Percy and Pudge:  The Sand Castle" contrasts two pelican brothers, one wise and one foolish.  Although this memorable Readers Theater script has 2 narrators and 2 character roles, you could adapt it to be 1-2 narrators and 2 choruses.  One chorus could be Percy and the other Pudge. 

Complete with annotated curriculum links on pelicans and sand castles, some readers will recognize similarities to the familiar parable of "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man."  Perfect for elementary, middle school, family fun, and some ESL classes,"Percy and Pudge:  The Sand Castle" could be used as a cross-curricular unit launch for integrative teaching.

TIME: about 6 minutes      CAST:  3+, or 1-2 narrators and 2 choruses   TONE:  lightly serious   READABILITY:  grade 2.1

Turkey Dreams (R = 3.4)
Dec 27, 2011

"Once upon a camel there rode a turkey...".  So starts "Turkey Dreams," a fun Readers Theater script that encourages entrepreneurship and positive character qualities for the new year or anytime!  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Turkey Dreams" is great for ALL AGES.  Perfect for elementary, middle school, ESL, family fun, maybe high school and adults, "Turkey Dreams" enhances a cross-curricular study of entrepreneurship--even for children.  You'll love the subtle character-building qualities in "Turkey Dreams."  Why not use it as a launch for creative writing, too? 

We have added a Flexi-Curric™ version in our TpT store with a preview, thinking questions, worksheets, and extension activities. 

TIME:  a little more than 4 minutes  CAST:  6+   TONE:  light, with serious overtones    READABILITY :  grade 3.4

Three Cheers for Teachers! (R = 3.9)
Nov 22, 2011

Thank you for caring enough to teach!  Here's a gift Choral Readers Theater script I sent the teachers who shared their email addresses with me, "Three Cheers for Teachers!"  Unlike all our other scripts this one has NO curriculum links, but it does have words to honor teachers who make a difference--like you.
TIME:  less than 2 minutes   CAST:  2- 4+ (Choral Groups?)  TONE:  grateful   READABILITY:  grade 3.9

Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog--Part 3 (R = 2.6)
Nov 17, 2011

Fun.  Character-building.  Nature study.  Based on true groundhog stories, "Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog Part 3" introduces readers to the last of a three-part story of Waddles, a real groundhog who lived in our yard.  We've had a groundhog at two different homes, but this three-part story combines our family's groundhog experiences. 

You will want to do all three parts—on different days for a week of Readers Theater OR with different groups for a full production (15 minutes total?)  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and unit studies, "Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog" is great for Groundhog's Day, Thanksgiving, and family fun.  Written for elementary, ESL, or ESOL students, this three-part Readers Theater script is perfect for rainy or snowy days. Here's the statistics on part 3
TIME:  about 4 minutes   CAST:  3 or CHORAL   TONE:  light    READABILITY:  grade 2.6

Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog--Part 2 (R = 3.3)
Nov 17, 2011

Fun.  Character-building.  Nature study.  Based on true groundhog stories, "Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog Part 2" introduces readers to the second of a three-part story of Waddles, a real groundhog who lived in our yard.  We've had a groundhog at two different homes, but this three-part story combines our family's groundhog experiences. 

You will want to do all three parts—on different days for a week of Readers Theater OR with different groups for a full production (15 minutes total?)  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and unit studies, "Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog Part 2" is great for Groundhog's Day, Thanksgiving, and family fun.  Written for elementary, ESL, or ESOL students, this three-part Readers Theater script is perfect for rainy or snowy days.
TIME:  less than 4 1/2 minutes   CAST:  6-7    TONE:  light   READABILITY:  grade 3.3

Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog Part 1 (R = 2.7)
Nov 17, 2011

Fun.  Character-building.  Nature study.  Based on true groundhog stories, "Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog Part 1" introduces readers to the first of a three-part story of Waddles, a real groundhog who lived in our yard.  We've had a groundhog at two different homes, but this three-part story combines our family's groundhog experiences. 

You will want to do all three parts—on different days for a week of Readers Theater OR with different groups for a full production (15 minutes total?)  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and unit studies, "Waddles, the Grateful Groundhog Part 1" is great for Groundhog's Day, Thanksgiving, and family fun.  Written for elementary, ESL, or ESOL students, this three-part Readers Theater script is perfect for rainy or snowy days.
TIME:  less than 4 1/2 minutes    CAST:  6-7      TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 2.7

Pretend Play for Columbus Day (R = 4.4)
Oct 8, 2011

Are you in a public school?  Here's a Columbus Day script that may meet your needs.  Join Christopher and his friends as they pretend to sail the ocean in this engaging Readers Theater script based on history.  With new and updated annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Pretend Play for Columbus Day" will make this holiday memorable.  Suitable for ESL, elementary, and family fun.  (Note:  This is the edited version of "Columbus Day Pretend Play" that you can find in our Script Buffet.)
TIME:  a little over 6 minutes   CAST:  11+ (double parts for fewer students)  TONE:  serious and light  READABILITY:  grade 4.4

Leaf Maze (1.5, 0.4)
Sep 21, 2011

Easy Choral Readers Theater for fall:  2 choruses, 2 pages, 15 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  That's the fall Readers Theater script "Leaf Maze" for early readers.  Perfect for primary level, ESL or ESOL students, special ed, and family fun, "Leaf Maze" may get your students motivated to rake right away! And, you'll be motivated by the art projects and science information/experiments in the extensive curriculum links.

TIME: about a minute   CAST: 2+  TONE:  light  READABILITY: grade 1.5 (0.4 without the word "chorus")