UPPER INTERMEDIATE
READERS THEATER SCRIPTS, 6-7
PLEASE, SCROLL DOWN FOR SCRIPT TITLES,
PLOT DESCRIPTIONS, AND SAMPLE PAGES
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I-5 THE KING OF THE CATS
Set along a rocky coast. A grave-digger returns home to tell of his eerie encounter with nine black cats who marched through the fog to deliver a message: "Tell Tom Toldrum that Tim Tildrum is dead. Tell him, or your life won't be worth living!" The poor grave-digger doesn't even know a Tom Toldrum. His wife and old cat listen carefully as the tension mounts. This story is a jump-tale. If read correctly, all listeners should be scared enough to "jump" at the story's end. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (6 Readers).
Script length: 5 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-6 MISERY'S TREE
Set in apple-growing country. An old woman named Misery owns one prized possession: a magnificent apple tree. The tree, however, does not make Misery happy. Village children steal her apples and ignore her when she warns, "Go on home and let me be. Stay away from Misery!" In the end, the tree, an enchanted visitor, and a granted wish help Misery outsmart both the children and DEATH'S messenger when he, too, tries to steal an apple. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (6 Readers).
Script length: 5 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-7 THE RAT PRINCESS
A Rat King decides that his exceptional daughter must marry "only the most powerful in all the world." He sets forth on a journey to find the perfect husband. By journey's end, the King has learned an important lesson about power from the sun, the cloud, the wind, the stone wall, and an ordinary gray rat whom his daughter has secretly loved all along. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (7 Readers).
Script length: 6 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-8 SILLY, SILLY, SILLY
Thomas Stern is engaged to his neighbor, Mary Sillatoe, and thinks she might be the "silliest girl in the world." He goes off on a quest to find someone sillier, and does. He not only meets an old gent who is trying to plant a puppy so it will grow into a dogwood tree, but also meets a fair maiden trying to make a suit of armor from old love letters, and a lad trying to rake the moon's reflection out of a pond of water. Thomas retuns home to marry Mary, knowing there are other people in the world sillier than she. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (8 Readers).
Script length: 8 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-9 BIG BROTHER AND THE ELFIN WOMAN
A young hockey fan discovers an obnoxious elfin woman in his kitchen and decides not to tell the sprite his real name. Instead, he says he is called "Me, Myself, and I." This turns out to be a smart decision, as it saves the boy from being turned into "squash stew" by the woman's giant-like brother, and rids his house of the elfin invaders. A clever tale involving mistaken identity. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (7 Readers).
Script length: 11 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-10 CLEVER LUCY
Poor John Carver is a farmer who has a hard time feeding his? family. But John is married to Lucy, and Lucy is a mighty clever lady. With the family down to its last roasted chicken, Lucy engages in some clever mathematics and produces more than enough food to feed them all. The tale ends happily as John becomes a successful farmer - all because of Lucy's cleverness. Be prepared for a lively discussion of this tale! (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (6 Readers).
Script length: 6 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-11 THE HAPPY MAN
King Landor is faced with a seventeen year old son who has lost the will to live. Old Jack, who lives in a small hut high in the hills, is summoned to speak to the boy and prescribe a remedy. Finally, Old Jack tells the king to "find a truly happy man and have him change shirts" with his son. As King Landor finds out, finding a truly happy man is difficult. When he finally finds one, the outcome is totally unexpected, ironic and bizarre. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (5 Readers).
Script length: 11 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-12 JACK RABBITS
The villagers of Overton all agree that something must be done about Jack Wiley and his practical joking. They like Jack, but know that Jack is "a practical joker of the worst kind, the kind who never quits!" So, while Jack is away, the entire village conspires to play a joke on him. Jack returns, the joke is pulled, and Jack walks home in his stocking feet vowing to mend his joking ways forever. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (7 Readers).
Script length: 10 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-13 THE TRICKSY MOUNTAIN ELVES
Set in the mountain country. An innkeeper and his very capable wife find their inn invaded by invisible tricksy mountain elves. Knowing that the elves love meatloaf and never, ever eat breakfast, helps the pair outsmart their unwanted guests. A cheese pie baked in a jar lid, a chicken casserole baked in an egg shell, and a meatloaf baked in a sewing thimble are part of the plan. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (6 Readers).
Script length: 9 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-15 THE PRINCESS WHO TALKED TOO MUCH
Three brothers from the Kingdom of Goddado journey to the Kingdom of Yak to enter a contest in which they hope to "get the last word in a conversation" with the princess who talks too much. The two older brothers hope to win by their good looks and quick wit, while the slower-witted younger brother tags along saying, "A fella's gotta do what a fella's gotta do!" Of course the younger brother wins by simply telling the truth - as he sees it! All live happily ever after. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (9 Readers).
Script length: 10 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-19 JOE AND THE BUTTON FACTORY
A fast moving, fun, repetitive tale about a fellow named Joe who works in a button factory and pushes buttons. He starts off with a wife, one child, and just one button to push. He ends up with seven children, and more buttons than he can possibly manage. Wife and children join in to help him push the buttons with every spare hand, foot, and head available. Good performance piece filled with lots of silly movement, rhythm, and rhyme. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (10 Readers).
Script length: 10 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-20 SILLY WILLY CANADA GOOSE WAR
"Once upon a time, a farmer's wife went out to her garden to dig carrots. Instead, she dug up a pot of gold." Sounds simple enough, but the plot thickens as greedy kinfolk descend upon the farm hoping to get their hands on the treasure. There is no solution but to declare a Silly Willy Goose War! You've got to read this one to believe it! (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (6 Readers).
Script length: 9 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-28 THE ROLY RICE BALLS
Japanese folklore contains many stories about kind people who live next door to mean people. In this version of that theme, a poor but kind old man follows three rice balls as they roll into a hole. The rice balls lead him to a tiny land under the earth which is inhabited by millions of mice. The mice give the man a magical golden rice-pounding mallet to thank him for sharing his rice balls with them. From that day on, the mallet provides food for the man. His greedy neighbour, however, trys to trick the mice into giving him a mallet, and ends up with mud, slime, slugs, and other "horrid things!" (UPPER INTERMEDIATE) (5 Readers).
Script length: 12 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-32 THE THING THAT GLOWS IN THE DARK
Four readers tell the spooky tale of Jamie and Matt who decide to spend Hallowe'en night camping out on the grounds of an old haunted estate. The boys collect their tent, backpacks, and supplies, then meet in front of the estate gate. Both notice the "strange eerie light" which seems to follow them everywhere. Around the corner a hounddog's bark warns of the Thing that glows in the dark, but the boys ignore the warning, scout out the property, and set up camp. When the boys become separated, a black cloud covers the moon, and Matt alone confronts the dreaded Thing. To this day, only a few people know the true identity of that Thing - a jack-o-lantern, of course. (UPPER INTERMEDIATE ) (4 Readers).
Script length: 12 pages of reading text. View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-64 THE CITY MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE
Pheobe, the country mouse receives an invitation to visit her cousin, Valerie, in the city. Pheobe tells her friend, Mrs. Chipmunk, she can't wait to go! She's tired of country life and craves some excitement. She arrives in the city and admires Valerie's beautiful home. Everything goes well until THE CAT enters the picture. To escape him, the two cousins go shopping and poor Pheobe gets lost in the maze of city streets and constant traffic. When she finally find her way back to Valerie's she has learned a valuable lesson. It's the same one Dorothy learned in The Wizard of Oz: There's no place like home!
READERS NEEDED:
READER 1: Phoebe
READER 2: Mrs. Chipmunk/The Cat
READER 3: Valerie
NUMBER OF SCRIPT PAGES: 7 ½ including director/teacher's notes and suggested blocking.
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-65 THE SHOEMAKER AND THE ELVES
This Readers Theater script has been written as a Christmas play, but may also be performed on any other occasion by simply changing the references to Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother's Day, or even the Shoemaker's wife's birthday! The script follows the traditional fairy tale plot and includes visits from a hungry traveler, with whom the couple share the last of their meager food, two thoughtless and unkind customers, and as many wonderful elves as you care to create. Moral of the story: What goes around, comes around.
READERS NEEDED:
READER 1: Shoemaker
READER 2: Shoemaker's Wife
READER 3: Rich Lady and Elf #1
READER 4: Rich Man, Elf #2, Narrator
READER 5: Elf #3
NUMBER OF SCRIPT PAGES: 9 ½ including director/teacher's notes and suggested blocking.
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-66 THE FIFTH WITCH
This Readers Theater script has been written as a Halloween play, but may also be performed on any other occasion by simply leaving out the references to Halloween. A king has tired of his devoted Court Wizard, Merlin, and decides he wants a Court Witch instead. Merlin plans to teach the king a lesson about loyalty and, before leaving, hires the replacement himself. He teaches the king a "magic chant" to summon the witch whenever he wants. The king, however, doesn't like the first witch who appears, and demands another. In the end, five witches (each a little larger and louder than the one before) come and go, but not before one of them turns the king into a monkey! Merlin, of course, saves the day.
READERS NEEDED:
READER 1/King/Monkey
READER 2/Wizard
READER 3/Witch 1,3,5
READER 4/Witch 2,4
NUMBER OF SCRIPT PAGES: 10 including director/teacher's notes and suggested Readers Theater blocking.
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-67 THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE
A traditional scripting of the age-old tale of a fisherman, his unhappy wife, and a magical fish that grants three wishes. A simple cottage and a castle (or painted backdrops of them) are needed to set the scenes. As each wish is granted, the fisherman's wife is not satisfied and wants more!
Finally the exasperated fish takes away everything he has given and the wife learns "it is not good to spend your life wanting more than you need". Not a bad lesson for these troubled times!
READERS NEEDED:
READER 1: NARRATOR
READER 2: NARRATOR
READER 3: NARRATOR
READER 4: NARRATOR
READER 5: FISHERMAN
READER 6: WIFE/QUEEN
READER 7: FISH
NUMBER OF SCRIPT PAGES: 12 including director/teacher's notes and suggested blocking.
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-68 HANSEL AND GRETEL
A masterful re-telling of this well-known tale. This script is formatted for Readers Theater and may be read-aloud like any other RT script in our catalog. However, instead of simply reading the script aloud, your students might want to rehearse this one to perfection, memorize the lines, and perform the piece for parents or other classes. The script is worthy of a full-fledged production involving sets and props, sound effects, music, and special lighting. This is also a script which teen or adult readers will find worthy of performance.
READERS NEEDED:
READER 1: Gretel
READER 2: Hansel
READER 3: Mother
READER 4: Father
READER 5: Witch
READER 6: Snowball the Cat
NUMBER OF SCRIPT PAGES: 16 ½ including director/teacher's notes and suggested blocking.
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-70 AT CHRISTMAS TIME
Too much hustle, bustle, and holiday shopping sometimes causes us to forget the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. This Readers Theater script, written with rhythm and rhyme, talks about the time and energy used to "to fill each stocking with gifts for one and all," pushing through crowds at the mall, the search for the perfect tree, and endless concert rehearsals. Finally a little voice cries "STOP" and asks us to consider the true "reason for the season." Both a secular ending and a more spiritual ending are included so that readers may chose and send just the right message. This version of the script is formatted for 6 to 11 intermediate readers.
Length: 4 pages. Reading time: 3 minutes
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-71 THIS SAGUARO IS FINE
If you live in a desert area or are studying desert plants and animals, this Readers Theater script will become a popular addition to your collection. The Saguaro Cactus, the state flower of Arizona, is composed of a tall, thick, fluted, columnar stem, 18 to 24 inches in diameter, often with several large arm-like branches curving upward. The largest plants, with more than 5 arms, are estimated to be 200 years old. During its lifetime, the Saguaro serves as a home to a number of dessert animals and is sometimes referred to as a "critter hotel". This script tells the Saguaro story using rhythm, rhyme, and a repetitive chorus. There are 10 intermediate reading parts: 8 solo readers and 2 duet readers. All voices read in unison on CHORUS and other selected phrases.
Length: 4 pages. Reading time: 3-4 minutes.
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-74 IF I LIVED IN AFRICA
If I lived in Africa, would I be a wild dog, a warthog, a meerkat, a cheetah, a camel, an antelope? Nope. The second I chose one, I think of another intriguing animal, and then I change my mind. In this rhyming story, the storyteller's indecision finally leads to the inevitable:
There are oh so many animals,
But I think you'll agree
That if I lived in Africa,
I'd just be me!
10 readers, 6 pages in length. For this script, teacher information and student text are combined in this one version.
(If you wish to involve the entire class, a choral speaking version of this script is also available. Please look in the choral speaking section of our online catalog).
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-75 THE PACKRAT'S HOME
Value-added package: CH-16/I-75 (One title, but you receive both an RT and a Choral Reading script version when you order).
Dropped a dime in the desert, popped a button in the sand. Lost a marble near a cactus, and I'm sure you understand - these things are gone forever. They're not just out on loan. Now piled with chunks of cholla, ARE A PACKRAT'S HOME! This rhyming story continues on to describe how the tiny packrat builds his desert home from "found objects." Should readers be concerned about their bikes, their computers, their family cars? Will they too, mixed with cholla, be a packrat's home? 14 readers, 3 pages in length. For this title, teacher information and student text are combined in this one version.
(If you wish to involve the entire class, a choral speaking version of this script is also available. Please look in the choral speaking section of our online catalog).
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-76 A TORTOISE, OF COURSE
What's that moving on the land, almost invisible in the sand, close to the ground, patiently plodding, treading slowly, tenderly bobbing, bald head weaving, bouncing, nodding? See? What can it be?
It's a tortoise.
Tortoise, of course.
Of course a tortoise,
It isn't horse.
And right on course,
A desert force,
Is the tortoise
Of course!
This story takes a poetic look at a desert tortoise slowly moving across the sand of a North American desert. 6 readers, 4 pages in length.
(If you wish to involve the entire class, a choral speaking version of this script is also available. Please look in the choral speaking section of our online catalog).
View Sample Pages HERE.
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I-77 I'M AN ANT!
Teaching a unit on insects? Here's a story poem about what it's like to be an ant! Eight readers tell us how busy a worker ant's life can be and, in doing so, impart a few important "ant facts" along the way. There's always something fascinating to learn about the tiny ant, including the names of ant body parts like petiole, thorax and gaster! Did you know an ant is able to carry five times his/her weight? An upbeat rhythm and some strategically placed hand-clapping combine to make this poem a delight to perform. Here's a sample of the ending:
I'm an ant (clap, clap)
What can I say? (clap, clap)
I'm not distressed,
I'm not depressed
In any way.
Don't fret about my self-esteem.
Don't analyze my every dream.
I'm fine. I'm really A.O.K!
I'm an ant!
Readers: 7 with an optional 8th performer who creates sound effects. 5 ½ pages in length.
View Sample pages HERE
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I-82/CH-25 SLOW DOWN, CHRISTMAS!
$14.95
2 Scripts in One Value Added Package!
This script features rhythm and rhyming words. Christmas is coming way too fast! The shopping isn’t done, the wrapping paper is lost, three trees have already been rejected, and there’s still no turkey to “put on the plate”. Why can’t we slow everything down and have Christmas next July? Or, maybe it’s a better idea to slow down and think about what’s really important at Christmas time! (Intermediate and up).
Script length: 10 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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I-83/CH-26 THE STORY OF THE NINES TIMES TABLE
This script features rhythm and rhyming words. Looking back, I always had trouble with the Nine Times Table. And so, in memory of those agonizing school days, I have written a script about that very table. If this script can help any young person master those pesky NINES, I'll be delighted!
A Value Added Package: $14.95. When you order this title, you receive both a Readers Theater Version and a Choral Speaking Version. Both are for Intermediate Readers and Voice Choirs.
Choral Reading parts for ALL, ALL GIRLS, ALL BOYS, and 5 SOLO VOICES. 5 pages in length. RT Readers parts for 5 Readers. 6 1/2 pages in length.
For more information, please click HERE.
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I-85 THAT'S WHAT BULLIES DO!
This script was conceived and written as a way to involve student readers in a campaign to stamp out bullying. The "pledge" referred to in the script is an Anti-bullying Pledge that concerned students are asked to sign. A copy of the pledge can be found at the end of this script and can also be found online at: http://drphil.com/shows/show/115/.
Script length: 5 pages of reading text. For more information and sample pages, please click HERE.
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I-87/CH-30 RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS!
A Christmas combination choral reading/reader script about the gift-bringers in America, Canada, England, Holland, Sweden, Italy, and Iceland. These countries were chosen because the stories and legends of their gift-bringers are so colorful and varied! (Intermediate and up).
Script length: 10 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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I-88/CH-31 ODE TO A THANKSGIVING BRUSSEL SPROUT
$14.95
2 Scripts in One Value Added Package!
So, Thanksgiving dinner means you have to eat another Brussel sprout? Ah, come on - give it a try! Listen to us read an Ode to a Thanksgiving Brussel Sprout. We may just talk you into it.
A Value-Added Package: You receive two versions of this short, comical poem: a Readers Theater version and a Choral Speaking/Reading version.
CHORAL Version: ALL, ALL GIRLS, ALL BOYS, and 1 to 4 SOLO READING PARTS. 3 pages in length.
RT Version: 6 SOLO READING PARTS and "ALL" LINES THROUGHOUT. 3 1/2 pages in length.
View sample pages from the Choral Version HERE.
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I-89/CH-33 HEY, HEY, IT'S VALNETINE'S DAY!
$14.95
2 Scripts in One Value Added Package!
Snail mail is one way to get a Valentine delivered to your door. But what about other ways? What about air mail, a two ton truck, FedEx, or even e-mail? In this comical rhyming script, our Valentine-to-be not only explores a variety of delivery options, but also wraps him/herself in paper, showers in chocolate, is sprinkled with glitter, dusted with sugar, scrubs with smelly soap, and rolls in the glue. Ah, the things we do for love!
A Value Added Package: When you order this title, you receive both a Readers Theater Version and a Choral Speaking/Reading Version. Both are for Intermediate Readers and Voice Choirs.
RT Version includes an ALL CHORUS and features 8 to 20 readers so it can easily be adjusted to meet your needs. 6 pages in length. CHORAL Version is formatted for ALL, ALL GIRLS, ALL BOYS. 6 pages in length.
View sample pages for the Readers Theater Version HERE.
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I-90 WHAT CAN WE DO?
Are you introducing the idea of service learning to your classroom or school? This script involves 8 solo readers as they discuss the pros and cons of getting involved in a service learning project. Later in the script is a prose section where the readers include eight of their own ideas for service learning projects. These ideas are based on their own community needs.
For Intermediate Readers: You may include as many additional readers as you wish by asking them to join in on the repetitive ALL CHORUS.
You can lengthen the script by adding more than eight project ideas to the prose section. By the same token, you can shorten the script by including only four or fewer project ideas. The possibilities are endless...
Script length: 7 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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I-91/CH-34 THE CUPID ENCOUNTER
$14.95
2 Scripts in One Value Added Package!
This script features rhythm and rhyming words. Valentine's Day may be just around the corner, but not everyone looks forward to dealing with the dreaded CUPID. The little guy with the bow and arrow wants our readers to make way too many decisions! Some of them are: Who will be your valentine, what kind of card will you send, what type of gift will you give, how about your choice of romantic music?
In this comical script, 5 Solo Readers and an ALL CHORUS tell the story of how they finally discourage a very determined Cupid. Thank goodness they do this just in time for Valentine's Day! Lucky Cupid ends up in love himself - and off to Hawaii on vacation.
Script length: 8 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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I-94/CH-37 POP UNTIL WE DROP: A POPCORN STORY
A Value Added Package: $14.95. When you order this title, you receive both a Readers Theater Version and a Choral Speaking Version. Both are for Intermediate/Advanced Readers and Voice Choirs.
This story poem explores the life of a popcorn seed from soil to cooking pot and imparts a few important "popcorn facts" along the way. There's always something fascinating to learn about plants, especially this popular confection!
Script length: 9 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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IF YOU ARE TEACHING A DESERT THEME (animals and plants from both North American and African desert regions), you'll find more Intermediate selections by clicking HERE.
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I-102 PEG LEG JOE AND THE DRINKING GOURD
For Intermediate Readers. In this story-poem RT script, 12 SOLO READERS and an ALL CHORUS tell about Joe, the song, and the code within the song, that helped slaves in the 1800's find freedom in the north (This script may be easily adapted to include frewer or more solo readers, as required). The script needs to be read with attention to rhythm and rhyme, including lively hand-clapping to help keep the beat.
Script length: 7 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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I-106 FROGS MATTER!
Script Length: 10 pages of reading text. For more information, please click HERE.
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I-109/CH-61 THE GAME
2 Versions for the price of one! Order this title and recieve both the Choral and the RT Versions.
This script catches the essence of a high school basketball game in progress. Many of the sights, sounds, and excitement, as experienced by the crowd, are written into the script.
If you are a Choral Speaking/Reading director, you'll especially enjoy the many "onomatopoeia words" used in the rhyming text. This script is written with words that, when spoken aloud, sound like what they mean.
Onomatopoeia is defined as:
(1) The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss).
(2 )The use of words whose sound suggests the sense
Script length: 6 pages of reading text. For more informaiton, please click HERE.
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