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On Top of Spaghetti

publication date: Jan 26, 2023
 | 
author/source: Carol Montgomery

Bug ThumbDo you remember the old song "On Top of Spaghetti," based on the tune to the folk song "On Top of Old Smokey"? Children and adults have enjoyed it for many years. The lyrics begin: "On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed..." Yes, it's a silly story, but so fun. "On Top of Spaghetti –Again" adapts the lyrics to a 2-part Choral Readers Theater script or a partner play. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "On Top of Spaghetti–Again" Readers Theater provides fun fluency practice for groups of all ages, English Language Learners, and homeschoolers. This is the longer elementary version for grades 3-5. (The shorter version has a readability of grade 2.1.)

TIME: about  2 min. spoken (4 m. sung)      CAST:  2 or 2 choral groups        TONE: light, fun       READABILITY: grade 4.4

 

On Top of Spaghetti–Again  
Adapted for Readers Theater by Carol Montgomery ©2023



Pasta:  On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese,

Parmesan:  I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed.

Pasta:  It rolled off the table, and onto the floor.

Parmesan:  And, then my poor meatball...

Pasta and Parmesan:  Rolled out of the door!

Pasta:  It rolled in the garden and under a bush.

Parmesan:  And, then my poor meatball...

Pasta and Parmesan:  Was nothing but mush.

Pasta:  The mush was as tasty as tasty could be,

Parmesan:  And, then my poor meatball...

Pasta and Parmesan:  Grew into a tree!

Pasta:  The tree was all covered with meatballs galore,

Parmesan:  From one lonely meatball

Pasta and Parmesan:  That rolled out the door!

Parmesan:  You want more?

Pasta & Parmesan:  Okay!

Parmesan:  On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese,

Pasta:  I lost my poor meatball...

Pasta & Parmesan:  When somebody sneezed!

Parmesan:  It rolled off the table, and onto the floor.

Pasta:  And, then my poor meatball...

Pasta & Parmesan:  Rolled out of the door!

Parmesan:  It rolled in the garden and under a bush.

Pasta:  And then my poor meatball...

Pasta & Parmesan:  Was nothing but mush.

Parmesan:  The mush was as tasty as tasty could be

Pasta:  And early next summer...

Pasta & Parmesan:  It grew to a tree.

Parmesan:  The tree was all covered with beautiful moss

Pasta:  It grew great big meatballs...

Pasta & Parmesan:   And tomato sauce!

Pasta:  So...

Parmesan:  If you eat spaghetti all covered with cheese...(continued)

***Click the yellow link below to download the printable PDF "On Top of Spaghetti–Again" for elementary students, English Language Learners, homeschoolers, or fun gatherings of all ages.

Download the PDF "On Top of Spaghetti–Again" adapted for Choral Readers Theater or partner plays.




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> ...I have been teaching for 35 years. RT has been part of my education journey for the majority of that time. Initially my experience with it was as a performance genre in the Drama Curriculum. Now I use it across the curriculum - a wonderful high motivation strategy in the language program - particularly reading - and so much more as you would know. I was drawn to your 'community' by the idea of leadership... I think what you're doing is wonderful..."
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