Recent Articles in Kindness, Grades 3-5

Helping Others: Clara Barton, Teacher (No Chorus Version) (R = 5.2)
Mar 28, 2012

Did you know even though Clara Barton had been a shy little girl, she used Readers Theater in her school?  Although Clara Barton (battlefield nurse during the Civil War and founder of the American Red Cross) reluctantly became a teacher, "Helping Others:  Clara Barton, Teacher" shows her genuine heart for helping others through teaching. 

Apparently she was a gifted teacher, as you'll learn in this biographical Readers Theater for elementary and middle school students based on some of Clara's own words.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Helping Others:  Clara Barton, Teacher" is the second stage of Clara's life for our series on Clara Barton.  This exact script is also available in a slightly longer version that includes a somewhat silly student chorus.

TIME:  about 7 minutes      CAST:  8-13      TONE:  educational       READABILITY:  grade 5.2  (easier version grade 3.0-3.6)

Helping Others: Young Clara Barton (R = 4.3)
Mar 22, 2012

In 1907 Clara Barton published a book about her own childhood.  This biographical Readers Theater for elementary students, "Helping Others:  Young Clara Barton," takes some of her own words and includes them in this character-building script.  Your students will meet a shy, young girl who did not come from a perfect family, but looked for ways to help.  They'll also get a surprise lesson in historic medicine!

This is the original Readers Theater script on Clara Barton's childhood.  We have two more versions that are easier for primary students or ESL.  All include annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans or unit studies.  There are more scripts in the series on Clara Barton coming soon.  You could have each group in your class take a separate time of her life OR do a different script each day as part of a unit study on this famous American woman who was a battlefield nurse during the Civil War and founded the American Red Cross.

TIME:  a little over 6 minutes   CAST:  4+ (chorus)     TONE:  mixed       READABILITY:  grade 4.3

Tribes and Teams Cheer (R = K, 1)
Feb 15, 2012

Does your class, tribe, or team work well together or do you sometimes have problems with bullying and fighting?  Even if you have perfect students, our "Tribes and Teams Cheer" encourages positive attitudes and character.  This short, easy Choral Readers Theater script is written for beginning readers, but is suitable for most ages. 

This script could easily be used as a launch into anti-bullying or teamwork discussions.  With three full pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans on anti-bullying, teamwork, kindness, and respect, you can't go wrong!  Perfect for grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, special ed, ELL, ESL and ESOL classes, "Tribes and Teams Cheer" helps build unity in the classroom in a fun way.

TIME:  35-40 seconds    CAST:  2+ or 2 groups     TONE:  motivational    READABILITY:  grade 0.0, but written for beginning readers  (NOTE:  Some of the curriculum links could be used through middle school and high school.)

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 Unforgiving Servant (R = 4.4)
Dec 29, 2011

Unforgiveness can destroy relationships, bodies, and lives.  Here's the parable of "The Unforgiving Servant" told in Readers Theater format with a chorus, based on the original parable found in Matthew 18:23-34.  This character-building script comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  Suitable for elementary, middle school, high school, adults, and family fun, this Readers Theater script could launch some serious discussions about the concept of forgiveness.

TIME:  about 4 1/2 minutes   CAST:  5+   TONE:  serious with light overtones   READABILITY:  grade 4.4 (easier, I think)

Turkey Dreams (R = 3.4)
Dec 27, 2011

"Once upon a camel there rode a turkey...".  So starts "Turkey Dreams," a fun Readers Theater script that encourages entrepreneurship and positive character qualities for the new year or anytime!  Complete with extensive annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "Turkey Dreams" is great for ALL AGES.  Perfect for elementary, middle school, ESL, family fun, maybe high school and adults, "Turkey Dreams" enhances a cross-curricular study of entrepreneurship--even for children.  You'll love the subtle character-building qualities in "Turkey Dreams."  Why not use it as a launch for creative writing, too? 

We have added a Flexi-Curric™ version in our TpT store with a preview, thinking questions, worksheets, and extension activities. 

TIME:  a little more than 4 minutes  CAST:  6+   TONE:  light, with serious overtones    READABILITY :  grade 3.4

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

Sack Lunch Flying (R = 4.6)
May 7, 2011

How do you teach about honoring soldiers, veterans, or their memories?  "Sack Lunch Flying" is a free Readers Theater script that will make it easy--both with the touching story and the annotated curriculum links at the end for easy lesson plans.  Perfect for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and patriotic programs, this script contains links to the stories of veterans, plus an opportunity to write someone in the military.  (NOTE:  Simplified version has a readability of grade 3.1.)

TIME:  about 4 minutes  TONE:  serious  CAST:  9  READABILITY:  grade 4.6 because of some 3-4 syllable words (e.g., Afghanistan)

Harriet Tubman, Alias Moses: The Swamp Mystery (R = 4.2)
Jan 13, 2011

Would 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 curriculum links for lesson plans. 

TIME:  about 5 min.  CAST:  5-7+    TONE:  serious and reflective   READABILITY:  4.2

The Good Samaritan (R=3.6)
Jan 13, 2011

So, what's better:  a short, straight-forward, unique script on "The Good Samaritan" or over a dozen pre-screened curriculum links for grades K-12 on "The Good Samaritan"?  In this free  Readers Theater script, "The Good Samaritan,"  you get both a trusted script and trusted curriculum links for lesson plans.   Based on Luke 10:30-37 in the Bible, this parable packs a whallop with it's practical applications for today.  Make sure you check out the video links.  Even your students will be inspired by the 8-year-old hero honored as a Good Samaritan by the Red Cross. 

TIME:  2 min.   CAST:  6, plus chorus  TONE:  serious    READABILITY: grade 3.6

Persistence Pays Parable--Luke 11:5-9 (R=2.4)
Dec 17, 2010

Knock, knock.  Who's there?  A friend?  Someone in need?  Both?  This short Readers Theater script with curriculum links for lesson plans covers Jesus' parable of the Midnight Visitor found in Luke 11 of the Bible.  Because it uses a chorus, "Persistence Pays Parable", can handle almost any number of readers.  Because it has a sprinkling of humor, children and adults should both enjoy it.  Because it has an open-ending, it can be a launching pad for discussions that build critical thinking skills--especially on the topic of prayer.  Make sure you check the curriculum links at the end of the script.  You may have your own eyes opened to a fresh understanding based on New Testament culture.    

TIME: 2 1/2- 3 min.       CAST: 5+       TONE: serious and light   READABILITY: Grade 2.4