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Mystery Scripts, Grades K-2

Encourage your students to read while they build confidence with mystery Readers Theater.  Choose mysteries based on fiction or true stories from our growing buffet of scripts.  These mysteries often have roots in true stories or are based on real-life mysteries.  Many include humor.  If you're a member of our Script Buffet Club you may suggest future script ideas.

Click on a Readers Theater script title below to read an excerpt from the script and access the printable PDF (complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans).

IMPORTANT:  Most of our scripts are available to our paying Script Buffet Club members only.  Each one pays a little and reaps a lot.  :)

R = Readability grade level (based on Flesch-Kincaide Readability Formula)

Gold Star 2     Gold Star 2     Gold Star 2 

Below are script titles in order of publication, most recent first.

Gold Star 2= exclusive script for Script Buffet Club paying members

Recent articles

  The Purple Creature (R=1st-2nd)
Dec 14, 2023

bugA purple creature? Escaped? This light-hearted poem adds to our collection of animal poems. Just like the other animal poems this one includes annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and unit studies. If you're tuned in, you may just sing it to the old folk tune, "The Wabash Cannonball." But, your students will have to create the chorus! Perfect for all ages, this silly poem should make students smile.

TIME: less than a minute......CAST: 2 or 2 choral groups.     TONE: light, silly.     READABILITY: grades 1-2
  Harriet Tubman, Alias Moses: The Swamp Mystery (Simplified) (R = 2.1)
May 14, 2018

cover thumbnailWould your students enjoy getting to know a heroine from Black History?  "Harriet Tubman, Alias Moses:  The Swamp Mystery" is #2 in our true-to-life Readers Theater scripts from the original biography of Harriet Tubman by Sarah Bradford (1869).  Harriet Tubman told Mrs. Bradford the story of her life, including some of her adventures as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. 

Join an adventurous trip with Harriet Tubman and some escaped slaves–including twin babies–in this exclusive member's only Readers Theater script with annotated curriculum links for lesson plans. 

TIME:  about 5 min.         CAST:  5-7+            TONE:  serious and reflective          READABILITY:  grade 2.1
  Mystery of the Runaway Mutt (Simplified) (R = 2.6)
Oct 29, 2014

Bug thumbnailHere's a true dog story to tug on the hearts of students of all ages.  "Mystery of the Runaway Mutt" combines real life dialogue with real life problems and adds an unexpected twist at the end.  Although true, this script could inspire numerous discussions on dogs, adoptions, pets, and more.  Shhhhh...I can't give away the true story ending.  :)  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Mystery of the Runaway Mutt" is perfect for elementary students, ESL, ELL, and challenged adult learners.  Note: "Mystery of the Runaway Mutt" is also available in the original versioin (readability = grade 3.6) and an advanced version (readability = grade 4.1, but the vocabulary may be harder since many sentences are short).

TIME:  about 8 minutes     CAST:  6-7      TONE:  serious, with family fun       READABILITY:  grade 2.6
  The White Elephant Birthday: The Party (Part III) (R = 1.9)
May 3, 2011
Finally, in Part III of "The White Elephant Birthday" your students attend the white elephant birthday party.  What did Juan take as a gift?  And, what will he bring home?  This is my favorite of the set of three scripts and completes the unfinished story of Parts I and II.  Although, "The White Elephant Birthday:  The Party (Par III)" is suitable for primary through high school, it is part of our "Everyday Life" series especially for our ESL and ESOL teachers.  Families will also enjoy the party, but beware!  Reading this script could motivate your students to have their own white elephant party!  :) 

TONE:  cheerful, some humor  TIME: 5:45 minutes  CAST: 6 (possibly 7-8)  READABILITY:  grade 1.9
P.S.  You won't believe the annotated curriculum links!  Yes, the surprise really exists!  :)
  The White Elephant Birthday: The Mystery Gift (Part II) (R = 2.3)
Apr 30, 2011

bugWho doesn't like a birthday party?  In Part II of "The White Elephant Birthday:  The Mystery Gift" Juan tries to explain to his family what a white elephant gift is then find one with their help!  This family fun Readers Theater script is part of our series on everyday life--requested by our ESL/ESOL teachers, but suitable for students primary through high school. Although this script can stand alone, it's best with Parts I and III.     

TIME:  a little over 4 minutes       CAST: 5      TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 2.3
  The White Elephant Birthday: The Party Invitation (Part I) (R = 3.2)
Apr 30, 2011
Everybody loves a birthday party,but do your students know what a "white elephant" party is?  "The White Elephant Birthday:  The Party Invitation (Part I)" is the first in a series of three fun Readers Theater scripts telling the story of Daniel's (or Danielle's) birthday party.  All scripts have our popular annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.
These scripts are part of our "everyday life" set of scripts--requested by our ESL and ESOL teachers, but suitable for students from primary to high school.  This is the shortest script in the series, but somehow came out with the highest readability score--probably due to the three syllable words listed on the cover page. Don't be surprised if your students ask for a white elephant party after reading all three scripts!  

TIME: almost 2 minutes  CAST:  3 (Choral?)   TONE:  light     READABILITY:  grade 3.2
  Mystery of the Missing Cat (R = 2.3)
Apr 7, 2011

bugHere's another mystery for our mystery lovers, "Mystery of the Missing Cat."  Based on a true story, this true-to-life Readers Theater script explores the confusion of moving, the love of pets, and the importance of teamwork.  The annotated curriculum links at the end for easy lesson plans will help stretch this script into a fun mini-unit study on cats.

Written at a primary reading level, the subject matter is perfect for ESL/ESOL students as well as family Readers Theater.  True surprise ending!    

TIME: 3 1/2 min.   CAST:  5     TONE:  serious   READABILITY:  grade 2.3
 
Praise from Teachers

...Keep doing what you are doing.  There are not enough quality scripts available for children and teens.  So many are inappropriate from a parent's perspective.  As a teacher I want to also build character and integrity while I teach a subject.  Why can't drama build up, inspire and be thought provoking?...Anyway, keep doing what you're doing...we need all the help we can get!
Jen H., Drama teacher

> ...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..."
Graham B. Former primary teacher (now a Visual Art and Drama specialist)

Readers Theater All Year is the most comprehensive collection of Readers Theater scripts and resources I have found on the internet!...Thank you Carol for your leadership and vision and for making Readers Theater so accessible for teachers and parents.
Daniel Fiore, Elementary teacher/author What They Have Taught Me

I found the free readers theater online scripts, teaching tips, and curriculum teleseminars at Readers Theater All Year very inspirational to me. I used the Twelve Days of Christmas...Vacation script in my ESOL classes before Christmas break and my students all enjoyed it..
Lily T. Teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

"> ..We did Squanto's Squash for the family on Thanksgiving and [my sons] participated and loved it. I am so excited about making this a major part of homeschooling. What a great way to learn!
Bethany P. Homeschooling Mom

> ...re: our script "The Earth Day Hen and Friends" I've used this! The kids love it. Thank you for sharing...It's just right for all levels in the class...Your free scripts are wonderful!...They learn so much from drama and reader's theatre...I see the shy ones gain confidence as they read. Fluency and prosody increases with reader's theatre...
Angela D., 3rd grade teacher

Let's Celebrate YOU!

 


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