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

"9/11 Heroes" (R=2.7)
Sep 7, 2011

"9/11 Heroes" is a short, primary level Choral Readers Theater script remembering heroes of Sept. 11, 2001.  With two choruses, this script should work with mature 1st-3rd graders and possibly ESL or ESOL classes.  A vocabulary list is included.  Extensive annotated curriculum links are also included (updated in January 2017) for easy lesson plans--including dialing 911.

TIME:  about 1 1/2 minutes  CAST:  2+ (2 choruses)  TONE:  somber, character-building  READABILITY:  grade 2.7 (a few multi-syllabic words like building, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.)

Never, Never, Never Forget 9/11 (R = 6.2)
Sep 6, 2011

"Never, Never, Never Forget 9/11"  honors heroes as we remember the attacks and the lives lost on September 11, 2001, in this free Readers Theater script.  This powerful script, told from the eyewitness Lady Liberty, includes flashback newscasts to create the feeling of current events--not history.

 Although this is a difficult topic, the extensive annotated curriculum links for easy plans will simplify your life. There is also a link to "Thinking Questions" that go along with this Readers Theater. Written for mature 3rd-4th graders, the script is probably best used with 5th-6th graders, middle schoolers, and possibly high schoolers or adults doing patriotic programs or Patriot Day activities. 

TIME:  about 10 1/2 minutes  CAST: 5+ (includes a chorus)  TONE:  somber   READABILITY:  grade 6.2 (multi-syllable vocabulary; mostly listed on cover page)

Back-to-School Team vs. Salamander Sly (R = 2.3)
Aug 11, 2011

Sports announcing.  Character building.  Excitement.  Motivation.  Perfect for beginning a new school year, "Back-to-School Team vs. Salamander Sly"  communicates to students from primary to upper elementary.  Salamander Sly coaches an invisible team called The Distractions in this lively free Readers Theater script full of surprises. 

Although this is not choral Readers Theater, there is a chorus (the School Team) that recites motivational cheers that help build character.  (Think about the commercial jingles you remember!) Contains curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

TIME:  11 minutes  CAST:  5-10+  TONE:  light, exciting   READABILITY:  grade 2.3, but I think some parts are harder

Hats Off to Dad! (R = 1.4)
Jun 12, 2011

For 2-26 readers, "Hats Off to Dad" is an easy, flexible, free Readers Theater script to honor fathers.  Whether it's a Father's Day program, end of school, or family celebration, "Hats Off to Dad" will make Daddy smile.  This primary level script may be adapted to choral Readers Theater or memorized and includes suggestions for using real hats. 

The annotated curriculum links offer many suggestions for student-made gifts for fathers, as well as the history of Father's Day for easy lesson plans.  Remember to check out the cute Father's Day song at the end! 

TIME = about 1 1/2 minutes  CAST = 2-26  TONE = light  READABILITY = grade 1.4

 

Wanted to Say (R = 3.1)
Jun 3, 2011

Here are a few words our parents OR grandparents may have wanted to say, but never did--or never could.  The guys represent the voices of fathers, the girls represent the voices of mothers, and the two groups reading together in high voices represent the voices of the children in this free choral Readers Theater script. 

Although this script, "Wanted to Say" is upbeat, it also teaches the character quality of forgiveness.  NOTE:  This script has the potential of touching hearts deeply.  You'll love the full page of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans--especially for Father's Day, Grandparents Day, end of the year, or character building lessons.  

TIME:  a little over 3 minutes   CAST:  3+   TONE:  upbeat, yet serious   READABILITY:  grade 3.1

Sack Lunch Flying (R = 4.6)
May 7, 2011

How do you teach about honoring soldiers, veterans, or their memories?  "Sack Lunch Flying" is a free Readers Theater script that will make it easy--both with the touching story and the annotated curriculum links 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.  (NOTE:  Simplified version has a readability of grade 3.1.)

TIME:  about 4 minutes  TONE:  serious  CAST:  9  READABILITY:  grade 4.6 because of some 3-4 syllable words (e.g., Afghanistan)

This Little Piggy Loves Jokes (R = 3.0)
Apr 29, 2011

Funny and friendly, little Porker meets Mickey at Grandpa's pork belly farm.  This humorous third grade level Readers Theater script will make your students and audience chuckle because Porker does love to tell jokes--especially pig jokes. 

Although there are annotated curriculum links for Charlotte's Web included, don't look for Charlotte or rats in this script.  Your students could compare and contrast the two stories or make their own scripts from Charlotte's Web.  "This Little Piggy Loves Jokes" is perfect for remedial students, primary classes, puppets, family fun, and even ESL/ESOL classes.    

TIME:  about 5 min      CAST:  6-7       TONE:  humorous, fun      READABILITY:  grade 3

Here Comes Spring, Silly or Not! (R = 2.9)
Mar 15, 2011

"Here Comes Spring, Silly or Not" combines jokes, motivation, and character building into one short unique script.  Suitable for primary grades through middle elementary, this Readers Theater script is perfect for choral Readers Theater, "buddy reading," or homeschoolers with only two speaking parts.  It includes a few figures of speech.  The annotated curriculum links broadly cover several areas for integrated lesson plans.  Is it funny?  All I know is when I read it to an eleven-year-old, she giggled and remarked, "I LIKE it!" 

TIME:  about 1 1/2 minutes    CAST:  2+    TONE:  light with deeper undertones   READABILITY:  grade 2.9

"St. Patrick's Day Shamrock" Radio Show R = 4.4
Mar 8, 2011

"Top 'o the mornin' to ya!  I'm Shammy O'Leary with Right as Rain Radio..."  So, starts our humorous and informative script "St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Radio Show" with trustworthy, annotated curriculum links for esasy lesson plans.  The small cast in this free Readers Theater script makes it flexible for 3-part choral reading, puppet plays, family fun, tutoring, small group classroom Readers Theater, and performances.  It's perfect not only for St. Patrick's Day, but also for a unit study on Ireland or immigration.   Don't miss the fun Kelly Green story!

Warning:  The reading level is higher, I think, because of 4 Irish sayings included and a couple of vocabulary words.

TIME: a wee bit less than 5 min.  CAST:  3  TONE: light, informative  READABILITY: grade 4.5

 

Presidents' Day Quiz Parade (R = 3.7+)
Feb 17, 2011

So, how do you cover content and have a great time with your class?  Our Readers Theater script "Presidents' Day Quiz Parade" (with trustworthy curriculum links for easy lesson plans) provides a game show/parade format that engages an audience of nearly any age. Taking 12 "characters" from the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, this exclusive script works well for Presidents' Day or patriotic programs. "Presidents' Day Quiz Parade" comes in four versions:  this original one, "Presidents' Day Quiz Parade," plus a simplified, an advanced, and a middle school version.  Combine them for multi-level readers.  Your students and audience will love the hand signals! 

TIME: 10 1/2 min.  CAST:  2-13  TONE:  upbeat  READABILITY:  3.7+

Abraham Lincoln: It's Lincoln Penny Day! (Group Participation and Short Versions) (R = 5.2 with easier parts)
Feb 13, 2011

"Abraham Lincoln:  It's Lincoln Penny Day!" provides an entertaining avenue for studying Abraham Lincoln, based on historical documents.  Suitable for President's Day celebrations or patriotic programs this free Readers Theater script comes in two versions:  one for group/audience participation and one shorter version.  Although there are two versions of this free Readers Theater script, the extensive curriculum links for easy lesson plans are the same for both.  How would your students like to have a "Lincoln Penny Day"?  It's easy since the curriculum links cover many grade levels and even include science experiments! Warning:  You should have a supply of Lincoln pennies ready or have the students bring their own.  In fact, if you perform this for a younger class you could give the audience each a Lincoln penny! 

TIME: 4-6 min.  CAST: 6-12+  TONE:  upbeat  READABILITY: 5.2--But, many parts are suitable for third grade level readers.

The Twelve Days of Christmas...Vacation (R=3.8)
Dec 10, 2010

No Santa.  No elves.  Just twelve tongue-twisting days of Christmas... vacation.  Based on the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" ("12 Days of Christmas"), this rollicking rendition may motivate students to clean their rooms by the time they finish!  The curriculum links at the end of this free Christmas Readers Theater script even include math lessons for a variety of lesson plans.  Surely your students would have fun creating their own compositions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?  

TIME:  about 3 1/2 min.    CAST:  12?  TONE:  cheery   READABILITY: Grade 3.8