Recent Articles in Adventure Scripts, Grades K - 2

Dusty's Sled Dog Race (R = 0.7)
Nov 7, 2015

Sled Dogs.  Adventure.  Non-fiction.  "Dusty's Sled Dog Race" Readers Theater has it all.  Based on the non-fiction book, Iditarod Dream–Dusty and His Sled Dogs Compete in Alaska's Junior Iditarod, this two-page script tells Dusty's true story.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Dusty's Sled Dog Race" is the easiest Readers Theater version of Dusty's story.  
NOTE:  "Dusty and the Junior Iditarod (Simplified, Parts 1-2)" has a readability of about grade three.

TIME:  about 2 1/2 minutes    CAST:  3+ (2 optional choruses)  TONE:  serious   READABILITY:  grade 0.7 (think grade 1 or grade 2)

Dusty and the Junior Iditarod (Simplified - Part 2) (R=3.2)
Sep 21, 2015

Historical serum race.  Sled dogs.  Non-fiction.  Here's Part 2 of our simplifed version of our Readers Theater script "Dusty and the Junior Iditarod.'  Based on the non-fiction book Iditarod Dream–Dusty and His Sled Dogs Compete in Alaska's Junior Iditarod, Part 1 of "Dusty and the Junior Iditarod"  summarizes the history of the Iditarod race and sets the stage for Dusty's Junior Iditarod race in Part 2.  Although Part 2 may be used as a stand-alone script (without Part 1), your students will miss the brief history of the Great Serum Race and Dusty's lifestyle mentioned in Part 1 (about 4 minutes).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, you'll find many ideas for integrating subjects.  Perfect for gifted primary students, struggling students, and ELL or ESOL students, this is Part 2 of the easiest version of Dusty's true story adapted for Readers Theater.  Our original script is readability grade 4.3 and takes about 2 minutes longer.

TIME:  about 4 min.      CAST:  2-7            TONE:  educational, historical   READABILITY:  grade 3.2

Dusty and the Junior Iditarod (Simplified - Part 1) (R=3.3)
Sep 21, 2015

Historical serum race.  Sled dogs.  Non-fiction.  Here's Part 1 of our simplifed version of our Readers Theater script "Dusty and the Junior Iditarod."  Based on the non-fiction book Iditarod Dream–Dusty and His Sled Dogs Compete in Alaska's Junior Iditarod, Part 1 of "Dusty and the Junior Iditarod"  summarizes the history of the Iditarod race and sets the stage for Dusty's Junior Iditarod race in Part 2.  Although Part 2 may be used as a stand-alone script (without Part 1), your students will be seriously disappointed to come to the end of Part 1 (about 4 minutes) and not have Part 2 (about 6 minutes).  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, you'll find many ideas for integrating subjects.  Perfect for gifted primary students, struggling students, and ELL or ESOL students, this is Part 1 of the easiest version of Dusty's true story adapted for Readers Theater.  Our original script is readability grade 4.3 and takes about 2 minutes longer.

TIME:  about 4 min.      CAST:  2-7            TONE:  educational, historical   READABILITY:  grade 3.3

The Thief (long "e" as ie, ee, ea) (R=K-1)
Jul 30, 2015

Who is Lassie?  Who is the thief?  These questions are easily answered in the easy Readers Theater script, "The Thief."  Focusing on long "e" words using "ie," "ee," and "ea," "The Thief" tells a fun, short adventure story.  "The Thief" comes in two font options (one is Chalkboard font) and comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  Whether you're looking for an easy adventure script for beginning readers or just a fun partner play that may be read chorally, "The Thief" motivates reading and student illustrations.  Perfect for grades K and 1, "The Thief" also helps ESL and ELL students build vocabulary.

TIME:  almost 1 minute     CAST:  2+, or 2 choral groups       TONE:  serious        READABILITY:  grade 0.6 (think K-1)

Francis Scott Key, the Flag, and the Song (R = .9)
Aug 9, 2013

Patriotic excitement sprinkled with a little humor, "Francis Scott Key, the Flag, and the Song" makes learning history fun.  This easy Readers Theater script for primary level students completes our set of four different readability levels for the story of "The Star-Spangled Banner."  All of our scripts include a vocabulary list on the title page.  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.   (Note:  This is the easiest version, with less vocabulary and shortened sentences.)

TIME:  about 3 1/2 min.       CAST:  4-5        TONE:  serious with humorous sprinkles     READABILITY:  grade .9 (think grades 1-2)

Moon Friend (R = 1.6)
Jun 18, 2012

Easy.  Short.  Fun.  This Choral Readers Theater is perfect for a Friday Filler or for a science unit study on space or the Moon.  Part of our series of Moon and Apollo 11 scripts, "Moon Friend" has only two speaking parts:  Moon and Astronauts.  Complete with extensive curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Moon Friend" works well for primary grades 1 or 2, ESL, or Special Ed.  (There's even a sprinkle of character building.)

TIME:  less than 1 minute       TONE:  light, educational             CAST: 2+         READABILITY:  grade 1.6--grade 0.0 Flesch-Readability Score without the words "astronauts" or "magnificent."

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  

 

Percy and Pudge: The Sand Castle (R = 2.1)
Dec 31, 2011

Character-building fun at its best, "Percy and Pudge:  The Sand Castle" contrasts two pelican brothers, one wise and one foolish.  Although this memorable Readers Theater script has 2 narrators and 2 character roles, you could adapt it to be 1-2 narrators and 2 choruses.  One chorus could be Percy and the other Pudge. 

Complete with annotated curriculum links on pelicans and sand castles, some readers will recognize similarities to the familiar parable of "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man."  Perfect for elementary, middle school, family fun, and some ESL classes,"Percy and Pudge:  The Sand Castle" could be used as a cross-curricular unit launch for integrative teaching.

TIME: about 6 minutes      CAST:  3+, or 1-2 narrators and 2 choruses   TONE:  lightly serious   READABILITY:  grade 2.1

The Bremen Town Detective Band (Part 2) (R=4.3)
Nov 29, 2011

Here's part two of a fun Readers Theater version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, "The Bremen Town Musicians," with a different twist at the end.  Guaranteed to sprinkle giggles into your day, this talking animal script comes complete with curriculum links (valid as of June 2017) for easy lesson plans.  Perfect for elementary students, ESL, and family fun "The Bremen Town Detective Band--Parts 1 and 2" can be a launching point for a creative writing assignment for part three. 

 TIME:  about 5 minutes           CAST:  3–12          TONE:  light and lively      READABILITY:  grade 4.3 (because of nonsense words and silly names)  Think third grade readability.

The Bremen Town Detective Band (Part 1)(R=2.8)
Nov 29, 2011

Here's part one of a fun Readers Theater version of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, "The Bremen Town Musicians," with a different twist at the end.  Guaranteed to sprinkle giggles into your day, this talking animal script comes complete with curriculum links (valid as of June 2017) for easy lesson plans.  Perfect for elementary students, ESL, and family fun "The Bremen Town Detective Band–Part 1" and part 2 can be a launching point for a creative writing assignment for part three.

 TIME:  about 5 minutes           CAST:  3-9          TONE:  light and lively      READABILITY:  grade 2.8

Kit Carson (Part I): Mountain Man (Easy Version) ( R = 2.6)
May 10, 2011

First in our Mountain Man series, "Kit Carson: Mountain Man (Part I--Easy Version)" is based on an adventure story Kit dictated in 1856-57 in his book, Kit Carson's Own Story of His Life.  Many of Kit's words in this Readers Theater or puppet script are from the book he dictated.  (Kit was considered illiterate--not because he was stupid, but because he didn't get much education.)  Students, teachers, parents, and even families should enjoy this exciting script right from the pages of American history (e.g., Westward Movement). You and your students will LOVE the extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans!  Although this is a biographical script, there are science links related to the nature Kit encountered (e.g., Rocky Mountain webcams...).

BONUS:  You'll even meet Brutus in some of the links--someone you and your students will NEVER forget!  :) 

TIME:  about 4 1/2 minutes   CAST:  3+     TONE:  varies--serious, light, and EXCITING!   READABILITY:  grade 2.6
(NOTE:  The ORIGINAL VERSION with more of Kit's actual words and a minute longer is also available with a readability score of grade 4.4.)