Do you want your students to be whiners or winners? Readers Theater can help you achieve your goals. And, if you include character-building discussions, you may see students blossoming with courage and confidence. They'll become stars in their own lives as you choose trustworthy Readers Theater scripts. This article includes a few suggestions for your character-building adventure.

"The Secret Visitor–An Absolutely True Story" recounts my husband's encounter with an unusual critter. My husband called it, "The Great Kitchen Standoff." You'll probably be surprised by the identity of the furry creature that showed up in our kitchen. But, I don't want to spoil the surprises in this humorous story. I got tears in my eyes from laughing when my husband acted out his morning adventure with "the secret visitor." Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and unit studies on the creature in the story, this script could be enjoyed by anyone who reads at a 3rd grade level or above. (I MAY do a simplified version later since the story is so entertaining.)

TIME: about 4 1/2 minutes.     CAST: 4 or 3 plus a chorus.     TONE: light, fun.     READABILITY: overall grade 3.5, but Mr. Monty's part is probably easier (chorus?)

What happens when the hero needs help? "Balto–Helping Hero" Readers Theater script shares the amazing true story of this famous sled dog adventure in a fresh way. What lessons can we learn from this incredible sled dog team who pushed to the end of "The Great Race of Mercy"? Your students will glean character-building ideas from the People's chorus and later discussions. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Balto–Helping Hero (Simplified)" is best for primary elementary students or English Language Learners. (There is no Advanced version for older students, but there is the original version for upper elementary students.) Enjoy Parts 1 & 2 as part of our collection of true sled dog adventure Readers Theater scripts based on Alaskan history. WARNING: Your students may be motivated to discover ways that THEY can also be helping heroes.

TIME: 7 minutes       CAST: 5+, includes a chorus      TONE: serious, exciting      READABILITY: grade 2.0

Part 2 of "Balto–Helping Hero (Simplified–Part 2)Part 2 of "Balto–Helping Hero (Simplified–Part 2)What happens when the hero needs help? "Balto–Helping Hero" Readers Theater script shares the amazing true story of this famous sled dog adventure in a fresh way. What lessons can we learn from this incredible sled dog team who pushed to the end of "The Great Race of Mercy"? Your students will glean character-building ideas from the People's chorus and later discussions. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Balto–Helping Hero (Simplified)" is best for primary elementary students or English Language Learners. (There is no Advanced version for older students, but there is the original version for upper elementary students.) Enjoy Parts 1 & 2 as part of our collection of true sled dog adventure Readers Theater scripts based on Alaskan history. WARNING: Your students may be motivated to discover ways that THEY can also be helping heroes.

TIME: 7 minutes       CAST: 5+, includes a chorus      TONE: serious, exciting      READABILITY: grade 2.2

What happens when the hero needs help? "Balto–Helpin Hero" Readers Theater script shares the amazing true story of this famous sled dog adventure in a fresh way. What lessons can we learn from this incredible sled dog team who pushed to the end of "The Great Race of Mercy"? Your students will glean character-building ideas from the People's chorus and later discussions. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Balto–Helping Hero" is best for elementary students. (There is no Advanced version for older students, but there is a simplified version for younger students.) Enjoy Parts 1 & 2 as part of our collection of true sled dog adventure Readers Theater scripts based on Alaskan history. WARNING: Your students may be motivated to discover ways that THEY can also be helping heroes.

TIME: 4 1/2 minutes       CAST: 6+, includes a chorus      TONE: serious, exciting      READABILITY: grade 4.5

What happens when the hero needs help? "Balto–Helping Hero" Readers Theater script shares the amazing true story of this famous sled dog adventure in a fresh way. What lessons can we learn from this incredible sled dog team who pushed to the end of "The Great Race of Mercy"? Your students will glean character-building ideas from the People's chorus and later discussions. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Balto–Helping Hero" is best for elementary students. (There is no Advanced version for older students, but there is a simplified version for younger students.) Enjoy Parts 1 & 2 as part of our collection of true sled dog adventure Readers Theater scripts based on Alaskan history. WARNING: Your students may be motivated to discover ways that THEY can also be helping heroes.

TIME: 7 1/2 minutes       CAST: 5+, includes a chorus      TONE: serious, exciting      READABILITY: grade 4.2

Have you ever seen a wild, cottontail rabbit act like a statue with a wiggly nose? We have a lot out here. So, this short Readers Theater poem shares one encounter. Although "Brown Rabbit" readability is fairly easy, this animal Readers Theater poem is perfect for all ages, English Language Learners, Special Ed, and homeschoolers. Like most of our scripts "Brown Rabbit" comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and unit studies. Enjoy it as a partner play or Choral Readers Theater.

TIME: less than a minute      CAST: 2 or 2 choral groups       TONE: peaceful      READABILITY: grade 1.3

“Hee haw, hee hee haw, hee haw diddly dum.” Ha! Ha! Try saying that five times without laughing! That's the fun refrain in this silly Readers Theater poem: "Dizzy the Donkey." The one-page script comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. Perfect for primary level readers and above, this silly poem is fun for all ages.

TIME: a little over a minute–IF students aren't laughing too much      CAST: 2 or 2 choral groups  TONE: light, fun   READABILITY: grade 1.7

"Snappity, crackity, my friend Chip, Furry friend who learned to flip" is the first section of this fun poem for primary level readers. This one page poem is part of a growing collection of original animal poems adapted to Readers Theater. The poem shines as a partner play or Choral Readers Theater and comes with curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

TIME: about 1 minute      CAST: 2+ (or 2 choral groups)      TONE: light, fun      READABILITY: grade 2.9 because of "snappity, crackity" each being 3-syllable words. (The rest of the words are MUCH EASIER.)

Do you have students who LOVE skateboarding?  Our non-fiction Readers Theater script "Skateboarding Pioneer: Patti McGee" may be appropriate for those students. A member of our Script Buffet Club who tutored two Syrian refugee sisters learning English asked me to write a custom Readers Theater script for the girls. Wow! When I asked what the girls were interested in the tutor told me that they both LOVED to skateboard. So, with some serious research I created "Skateboarding Pioneer: Patti McGee." (Patti became famous as a woman skateboarder and brand ambassador who helped pioneer this popular sport in the 1960s.) This original Readers Theater script for elementary and middle school grades 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 focuses on Patti's story, but includes helpful annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. Enjoy it with your English Language Learners or anyone! (Yes, adults would appreciate this story, too.)

TIME: 4 1/2 min.     CAST: 2-5+ (optional chorus)    TONE: upbeat, positive     READABILITY: grade 4.0

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

Some of our Script Buffet Club members have requested Readers Theater scripts based on Biblical literature.  "Silver and Gold?  Lame Man Healed! (Original)" comes from the Book of Acts.  Is healing still valid today?  You decide.  Like our other scripts this one includes annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  But, one section of the curriculum links focuses on Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker born without arms or legs.  Nick was bullied, lonely, and depressed;  however, as an overcomer he now encourages students around the globe.  The links on Nick include part of his story in words and in videos.  Perfect for elementary students in grades 2, 3, and 4, this original script and the annotated curriculum links will inspire you and your students. 

TIME:  4 min.        CAST: 5-6+ (optional chorus)       TONE:  upbeat     READABILITY:  grade 2.8