Recent Articles in Adventure Scripts, Grades 6 - 8

Benjamin Franklin Speaks About Apprenticeship and Beyond (Simplified) (R = 6.0)
Apr 1, 2014

Bullying. Adventure.  Character building.  Part 2 of Benjamin Franklin's life, "Benjamin Franklin Speaks About Apprenticeship and Beyond" includes so much more than history.   Based on Franklin's memoirs, "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." this Readers Theater script not only uses quotes from Franklin's autobiography, but also quotes from Poor Richard's Almanac.  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Benjamin Franklin Speaks About Apprenticeship and Beyond" is perfect for middle school students or gifted elementary students.  (This is the simplified version.  The original has a readability level of grade 7.5 because of Franklin's extensive vocabulary and long sentences.)

TIME:  about 13 1/2 min.        CAST:  2-6+ (optional chorus)     TONE:  serious, thoughtful   READABILITY:  grade 6.0 (Substituting "Nat" for "Narrator"

Benjamin Franklin Speaks About Apprenticeship and Beyond (R = 7.5)
Jan 30, 2014

Bullying. Adventure.  Character building.  Part 2 of Benjamin Franklin's life, "Benjamin Franklin Speaks About Apprenticeship and Beyond" includes so much more than history.   Based on Franklin's memoirs, "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." this Readers Theater script not only uses quotes from Franklin's autobiography, but also quotes from Poor Richard's Almanac.  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Benjamin Franklin Speaks About Apprenticeship and Beyond" is perfect for middle school students or gifted elementary students.

TIME:  about 13 1/2 min.        CAST:  2-6+ (optional chorus)     TONE:  serious, thoughtful   READABILITY:  grade 7.5

Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner (R = 5.9)
Jul 31, 2013

Patriotic excitement sprinkled with a little humor, "Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner" makes learning history fun.  This Readers Theater script includes real quotes from history for your upper elementary or gifted students.  Complete with six pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner" tells the story of the United States national anthem and the flag in the context of the War of 1812.

TIME:  13+ min.       CAST:  6-9         TONE:  serious with humorous sprinkles     READABILITY:  grade 5.9 (vocabulary listed on first page)

Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner (Middle School) (R = 7.1)
Jul 31, 2013

Patriotic excitement sprinkled with a little humor, "Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner" makes learning history fun.  This Readers Theater script includes real quotes from history for your middle school or gifted students.  Complete with six pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner" tells the story of the United States national anthem and the flag in the context of the War of 1812. 

TIME:  13 1/2 min.       CAST:  6-9         TONE:  serious with humorous sprinkles     READABILITY:  grade 7.1  (vocabulary listed on first page)

 

Collision Course (R = 5.8)
Apr 12, 2013

Excitement.  Surprise ending.  Short.  Adapted for Readers Theater, this classic urban legend tells a popular story students will enjoy–especially the boys! Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Collision Course" provides a platform for multiple extension activities or unit studies.  Highly recommended for advanced ESL or ELL  students and upper elementary or middle school.

TIME:  1 1/2 min.        CAST:  3-5            TONE:  exciting          READABILITY:  grade 5.8

Moon Talk--from Apollo 11 (Long Version) (R = 5.0)
Jul 23, 2012

Interested in NASA transcripts, adapted for Readers Theater, of the historic conversations from the Moon in July 1969?  In "Moon Talk—from Apollo 11 (Long Version)" you'll find authentic Moon talk from the astronauts themselves, the first men on the Moon.  Although the readability tested fifth grade, there is quite a bit of vocabulary, making this printable script suitable for upper elementary, middle school, high school, and adults.  Complete with 6 pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, this space script may stand alone or be part of a unit study on the solar system.  This is the longest of our series of three "Moon Talk" printable scripts:  Quick = 13 minutes,  Shortened = 19 minutes, Long = about 21 minutes.

TIME:  almost 21 minutes      CAST:  6+ (chorus; 2 speaking parts have a lot fewer lines)  TONE:  scientific, educational, historic      READABILITY:  grade 5.0  (I would put it higher because of the extensive vocabulary.)

Moon Talk--from Apollo 11 (Shortened) (R = 5.1)
Jul 21, 2012

Historic NASA transcripts.  Real talk from the Moon...and President Nixon TO the Moon.  Mission Control chorus.  Vocabulary on the front page.  This free printable Readers Theater science script, "Moon Talk--from Apollo 11 (Shortened)", has it all for grades 4, 5, 6 and up.  How is it shortened?  This version leaves out the conversations with fellow astronaut Michael Collins as he orbits the Moon waiting to pick up his friends.  It is LONGER than our Quick Version by about 6 minutes because it includes astronaut Buzz Aldrin calling for a moment of silent thanksgiving from the Moon, as well as the challenges Aldrin and Neil Armstrong had in trying to maneuver their space suits OUT of the Lunar Module and onto the Moon (e.g., "Roll left"...). 

Complete with 6 pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans this historically accurate science script integrates curriculum into one lovely learning launch with Readers Theater.

TIME:  19 minutes      CAST:  5+(inlcudes chorus and 2 sections from President Nixon)   TONE:  historically educational    READABILITY:  grade 5.1  (NOTE:  This script is a little easier than our Quick Version because of the funny conversation the astronauts had trying to exit the Lunar Module.)

Moon Talk--from Apollo 11 (Quick Version) (R = 5.8)
Jul 17, 2012

What did the astronauts SAY when they were on the Moon?  Direct from NASA's historic transcriptions here's the free printable Readers Theater script  that will launch your class to the Moon:  "Moon Talk--from Apollo 11 (Quick Version)."  Because they talked a LOT while on the Moon we have three versions of the script;  this is the shortest, but it's still about 13 minutes long. 

Complete with 6 pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, this space science Readers Theater script is adaptable for small group or whole class participation (optional chorus with Mission Control).  You could also assign buddy readers for the 2 astronauts and the narrator parts.  Historically accurate and extensively researched, "Moon Talk--Apollo 11 (Quick Version)" is perfect for upper elementary or middle school classes.

TIME:  13 minutes     CAST:  5+     TONE:  historic, educational, scientific       READABILITY:  grade 5.8  (check vocabulary list on the front page)

Dog Jog Adventure (Advanced; R = 3.0)
Feb 29, 2012

How would you like to go jogging with three big dogs who are not really obedient?  Believe it or not a teacher did and told her story in a Chicken Soup for the Soul story.  I adapted the story a lot for children here in a fun Readers Theater script, "Dog Jog Adventure." 
Because the children in this script are older elementary or teenagers, this script is perfect for mixed ages and abilities--upper elementary, middle school, high school, ESL or ESOL, adults, and family fun.  Since the readability is about third grade, it should be perfect for literacy tutoring, too. You also have the option of using a narrator and two choral reading groups.  NOTE:  This is the advanced version with a more extensive vocabulary.  (The easier version is grade 2.7)

Complete with annotated curriculum links (including You Tube) for easy lesson plans, "Dog Jog Adventure" works well as part of a unit study on fitness, pets or dogs.

TIME: 7 minutes    CAST: 3 or a narrator and two choral groups     TONE: light, fun   READABILITY:  grade 3.0

 

Dog Jog Adventure (R = 2.7)
Jan 9, 2012

How would you like to go jogging with three big dogs who are not really obedient?  Believe it or not a teacher did and told her story in a Chicken Soup for the Soul story.  I adapted the story a lot for children here in a fun Readers Theater script, "Dog Jog Adventure."  Because the children in this script are older elementary or teenagers, this script is perfect for mixed ages and abilities--upper elementary, middle school, high school, ESL or ESOL, adults, and family fun.  Since the readability is about third grade, it should be perfect for literacy tutoring, too. You also have the option of using a narrator and two choral reading groups.   (See "Dog Jog Adventure--Advanced" for more difficult vocabulary...grade 3.0.) 

Complete with annotated curriculum links (including You Tube) for easy lesson plans, "Dog Jog Adventure" works well as part of a unit study on pets or dogs.

TIME: 7 minutes      CAST: 3 or a narrator and two choral groups     TONE: light, fun   READABILITY:  grade 2.7  

 

Amos Root's Eyewitness Account of the Wright Brothers' Flight (R = 6.5)
Sep 20, 2011

First published eyewitness account.  Historical perspective.  Expansive vocabulary.  "Amos Root's Eyewitness Account of the Wright Brothers' Flight" Readers Theater script pulls it all together creatively.  Complete with a short vocabulary list and three pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, this script is perfect for better readers (e.g., grades 4-5, middle school, high school and adults) and MULTI-LEVEL Readers Theater.

TIME: 11 1/2 minutes   CAST: 5+ (includes a chorus)    TONE: serious, engaging    READABILITY: grade 6.5  (Amos uses longer sentences and several multi-syllabic words.  Some parts are easier.)

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)