Recent Articles in Nature, Grades 3-5

Brown Rabbit (R=1.3)
Jul 13, 2023

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

Birds in Bare Feet (R=2.6)
Apr 28, 2023

Did you ever think about birds having "bare feet"? I didn't either until these words hopped into my head: "birds in bare feet." "Birds in Bare Feet" Readers Theater script tells a poetic true story from a winter day. As I was composing this poem at our house we were SHOCKED to see a predator bird swoop in! Fortunately, the story has a happy ending. "Birds in Bare Feet" comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. Perfect for primary readers and above, this Readers Theater poem will be enjoyed by ALL AGES.

TIME: a little less than a minute      CAST: 2 or 2 choral groups      TONE: light      READABILITY: grade 2.6

Firefly Fun (R=K-1)
Feb 17, 2023

"Firefly Fun" shows primary readers nature's fun in a one-page Readers Theater poem. With only 2 speaking parts you may enjoy this poem as Choral Readers Theater (with 2 choral groups) or as a partner play with 2 readers. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans "Firefly Fun" is perfect for primary level English readers of all ages.

TIME: less than 1 minute       CAST: 2+ (or 2 choral groups)      TONE: light, fun      READABILITY: grades K-1 (The Flesch-Kincaid readability websites have a difficult time with poems!)

The Ants and the Tortilla (Advanced) R=5.6
Dec 15, 2018

Character-building fun from a Mexican fable?  Why not?  "The Ants and the Tortilla" Readers Theater script is roughly adapted from a Mexican fable and the children's book The Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb.  This Readers Theater script works well for cross-curricular lessons or unit studies on ants, insects, Mexico, fables, and even Hispanic culture or literature.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "The Ants and the Tortilla" is perfect for elementary students in grades 3, 4, or 5,  middle schoolers, and ELL or ESL students.  This script also comes in a simplified version with a readability of grade 1.3 as well as the original version with a readability of grade 4.7.  WARNING:  May cause giggles.

TIME:  about 6 1/2 min     CAST:  3-10+       TONE:  serious and light       READABILITY: grade 5.6 

Rocks and Minerals Game Show (Part 1) R = 4.4
Dec 20, 2017

WHO are the mystery guests and WHO are they related to–Ignee Us, Seddy Mentary, or Dr. Meta Morphic?  Thanks to one of our loyal Script Buffet Club member's suggestion you have a Rocks and Minerals Game Show to add a little spunk to your study of rocks and minerals.  Your students will love the hand signals for whole-class voting on the mystery guest.  And, they'll learn about specific rocks and minerals in the process.  Part 1 features Granite, Talc, and Quartz.  The whole set of five Readers Theater scripts includes two commercials.  Audience participation creates full-class fun.  Consider dividing your class into four groups.  Let each groups quietly practice their script like it's a secret.  After a few repeated readings let each group present their portion of the game show to the full class.  Of course, the listeners will be tuned in because they will be voting on WHO the mystery guest is related to–Ignee Us, Seddy Mentary, or Dr. Meta Morphic. Enjoy this Readers Theater geology collection in grades 3-8.  In our STORE you will find the entire Rocks and Minerals collection bundled together with enhancements to make life easier for you in the classroom. The PREVIEW there shows you many of the organizers and tips.

TIME:  about 12+ minutes          CAST:  2-8 (plus audience)       TONE:  light, educational        READABILITY:  grade 4.4

Rocks and Minerals Game Show (Part 2) R = 4.6
Dec 20, 2017

WHO are the mystery guests and WHO are they related to–Ignee Us, Seddy Mentary, or Dr. Meta Morphic?  Thanks to one of our loyal Script Buffet Club member's suggestion you have a Rocks and Minerals Game Show to add a little spunk to your study of rocks and minerals.  Your students will love the hand signals for whole-class voting on the mystery guest.  And, they'll learn about specific rocks and minerals in the process.  Part 2 features Obsidian, Gypsum, and Halite.  The whole set of five Readers Theater scripts includes two commercials.  Audience participation creates full-class fun.  Consider dividing your class into four groups.  Let each groups quietly practice their script like it's a secret.  After a few repeated readings let each group present their portion of the game show to the full class.  Of course, the listeners will be tuned in because they will be voting on WHO the mystery guest is related to–Ignee Us, Seddy Mentary, or Dr. Meta Morphic.  Enjoy this Readers Theater geology collection in grades 3-8.

TIME:  about 8 min.        CAST:  2-8 (plus audience)         TONE:  light, educational         READABILITY:  grade 4.6

Rocks and Minerals Game Show (Part 3) R = 4.6
Dec 20, 2017

WHO are the mystery guests and WHO are they related to–Ignee Us, Seddy Mentary, or Dr. Meta Morphic?  Thanks to one of our loyal Script Buffet Club member's suggestion you have a Rocks and Minerals Game Show to add a little spunk to your study of rocks and minerals.  Your students will love the hand signals for whole-class voting on the mystery guest.  And, they'll learn about specific rocks and minerals in the process.  Part 3 features Pumice, Marble, and Graphite.  The whole set of five Readers Theater scripts includes two commercials.  Audience participation creates full-class fun.  Consider dividing your class into four groups.  Let each groups quietly practice their script like it's a secret.  After a few repeated readings let each group present their portion of the game show to the full class.  Of course, the listeners will be tuned in because they will be voting on WHO the mystery guest is related to–Ignee Us, Seddy Mentary, or Dr. Meta Morphic.  Enjoy this Readers Theater collection in grades 3-8.

TIME:  about 10 min.       CAST:  2-8        TONE:  light, educational         READABILITY:  grade 4.6

Rocks and Minerals Game Show Commercial #2 (R=4.7)
Dec 20, 2017

One of our loyal Script Buffet Club members requested a Readers Theater script on rocks and minerals, so I created "The Rocks and Minerals Game Show."  That show comes in 3 parts (i.e., 3 separate scripts) with two optional commercials.  Here's the fun Rocks and Minerals Game Show Commercial #2–with a surprising featured item your girls could love.  Boys may want it for gifts because it features gemstones! Of course, this short script comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and is suitable for grades 2-5.

TIME:  2 1/2 min.             CAST:  3           TONE:  light, fun               READABILITY: grade 4.7

Rocks and Minerals Game Show Commercial #1 (R=2.5)
Dec 20, 2017

One of our loyal Script Buffet Club members requested a Readers Theater script on rocks and minerals, so I created "The Rocks and Minerals Game Show."  That show comes in 3 parts (i.e., 3 separate scripts) with two optional commercials.  Here's the fun Rocks and Minerals Game Show Commercial #1–with a surprising featured item your students could love.  Psssttt...it's not for sale in stores–yet!  Of course, this short script comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans and is suitable for grades 2-5.

TIME: 2.5 min      CAST:  3       TONE: light, educational       READABILITY: grade 2.5

The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 3 - simplified) (R=3.3)
Mar 3, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Non-fiction adventure. "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 3–Simplified)" brings this exciting 3-part story from history to an exciting conclusion.   Invite your students to participate in the Great Race of Mercy in 1925 that saved children and adults in Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic.  You can find other related scripts in our Iditarod section (e.g., "Togo–Sled Dog Hero").  Like all of our scripts, "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 3–Simplified)" comes complete with vocabulary and annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

 The Iditarod, held in March in Alaska every year, commemorates The Great Race of Mercy (also known as The Great Serum Race).  Students love tracking the adventure and reliving the thrill of people committed to helping save the lives of others.  Perfect for students in grades 2–4 and English language learners, "The Great Race of Mercy (Part 1, 2, & 3–Simplified)" motivates further reading by making history and adventure come alive!

TIME:  about 8 1/2 minutes    CAST:  5–8      TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  grade 3.3 (grade 2.4 using "Nat" for "Narrator")

The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 2 - simplified) (R=2.9)
Mar 3, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Non-fiction adventure. "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 2–Simplified)" continues this exciting 3-part story from history.   Invite your students to participate in the Great Race of Mercy in 1925 that saved children and adults in Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic.  You can find other related scripts in our Iditarod section (e.g., "Togo–Sled Dog Hero").  Like all of our scripts, "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 2–Simplified)" comes complete with vocabulary and annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  

The Iditarod, held in March in Alaska every year, commemorates The Great Race of Mercy (also known as The Great Serum Race).  Students love tracking the adventure and reliving the thrill of people committed to helping save the lives of others.  Perfect for students in grades 2–4 and English language learners, "The Great Race of Mercy (Part 1, 2, & 3–Simplified)" motivates further reading by making history and adventure come alive!

TIME:  about 5 minutes    CAST:  4–7      TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  grade 2.9 (grade 2.2 using "Nat" for "Narrator")

The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 1 - simplified) (R=3.7)
Mar 3, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Non-fiction adventure.  "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 1–Simplified)" begins this exciting 3-part story from history.   Invite your students to participate in the Great Race of Mercy in 1925 that saved children and adults in Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic.  You can find other related scripts in our Iditarod section (e.g., "Togo–Sled Dog Hero").  Like all of our scripts, "The Great Race of Mercy 1925 (Part 1–Simplified)" comes complete with vocabulary and annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  The Iditarod, held in March in Alaska every year, commemorates The Great Race of Mercy (also known as The Great Serum Race).  Students love tracking the adventure and reliving the thrill of people committed to helping save the lives of others.  Perfect for students in grades 2–4 and English language learners, "The Great Race of Mercy (Part 1, 2, & 3–Simplified)" motivates further reading by making history and adventure come alive!

TIME:  about 6 minutes    CAST:  3-6      TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  grade 3.7 (grade 3.0 using "Nat" for "Narrator")