Recent Articles in Science & Nature Scripts, Readability Grades K-2

The Hose Phone (R = 1.0)
May 8, 2018

GIGGLE WARNING!  I read this simple script to three adults and all three chuckled several times.  Based on a true story, "The Hose Phone" shares the light side of a common experience:  not hearing exactly what someone else says.  Students of ALL AGES will enjoy practicing this script with different voices.  Perfect for partner plays or small groups, "The Hose Phone" would work well for short performances IF you train your readers to not speak when the audience is laughing.  Since this short Readers Theater script is easy to read it's appropriate for struggling students in grades 1-8 and even adults.  You may use it as a "hook" for a science unit study of sound, the ear, and hearing.  This fun script comes in two font options and includes annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

TIME:  less than 2 min. (2–3 pages)           CAST:  2-4 (or choral)          TONE: light, fun        READABILITY:  grade 1.0 (easier without the word "narrator") 

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 (R=.8-1.8, think K-1)
Feb 13, 2017

Sled dogs.  Saving children.  Nonfiction adventure.  "The Great Race" remembers The Great Race of Mercy in 1925 saving Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic.  Twenty sled dog teams and their mushers raced a non-stop relay to rush the life-saving antitoxin serum to the doctor in the middle of a winter snowstorm.  This easy script is in our Holidays, Seasons & Events category and comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, too.  Perfect for those who can read at a first grade level or above, the 2-character script may be used chorally or as a partner play with two font options.  (Note:  This script may be too juvenile for adult learners, but we have other scripts they may like from the same race including "Togo Tales." Use the search box or go to our Store)

TIME:  about 1 minute      CAST:  2 (or 2 choral groups)   TONE:  exciting    READABILITY:  about grade 1

Togo (R-3.1)
Feb 28, 2016

Togo ran as lead sled dog for the historic Great Race of Mercy–also known as the Great Serum Race in 1925.  "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, a True Story (Part 1–Simplified)" tells a story of Togo as a "delinquent" pup.  Although this script may stand alone, students will want to read parts 2 and 3 to learn more about the sled dog hero.  This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  There are three versions of this script:  original (R= 4.7 ), simplified (R= 3.1 ), and advanced (R = 5.9 ).  The simplified version in the easiest version.  (We also have a primary level set of 3 short scripts on the life of Togo, "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" with a readability of grade 1.2)  A Script Buffet Club member requested a script on the Iditarod, so now we have a growing collection for readers of different levels.

TIME:  about 4 minutes     CAST:  3-5      TONE:  serious      READABILITY:  grade 3.1 (grade 2.2 substituting "Nat" for "Narrator)

Togo (R-3.5)
Feb 28, 2016

Historical adventure.  One of 3 scripts on the life of Togo, a sled dog hero. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, A True Story (Part 2, Simplified)"  describes one of Togo's adventures BEFORE the historic sled dog relay for The Great Serum Race (i.e., The Great Race of Mercy) in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.  This script may stand alone;  however, if you want to know more about Togo's adventures as a pup and a grown dog see parts 1 and 3. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  There are three versions of this script:  original (R=5.0), simplified (R = 3.5), and advanced (R = 5.7).  The simplified version is the easiest version.  (We also have a primary level script called "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" that includes 3 short scripts about Togo with a readability of grade 1.2)  Since a Script Buffet Club member requested a script on the Iditarod, we have a growing collection of exciting scripts.  

TIME:  about 5 minutes       CAST:  3-5      TONE:  serious        READABILITY:  grade 3.5 (2.3 substituting "Nat" for "Narrator")

Togo (R-3.2)
Feb 28, 2016

Historical adventure.  One of 3 scripts on the life of Togo, a sled dog hero. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, A True Story (Part 3, Simplified)"  tells Togo's part in the historic sled dog relay for The Great Serum Race–also known as The Great Race of Mercy–in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.  This script may stand alone;  however, if you want to know more about Togo's adventures as a pup and a grown dog see parts 1 and 2. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  There are three versions of this script:  original (R=4.5), simplified(R = 3.2), and advanced (R = 5.5).  The simplified version is the easiest version.  (We also have a primary level script called "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" that includes 3 short scripts about Togo with a readability of grade 1.2)  We have a growing collection of scripts on the Iditarod because of a Script Buffet Club member's request.  

TIME:  about 5 minutes       CAST:  3-9      TONE:  serious        READABILITY:  grade 3.2 (2.3 substituting "Nat" for "Narrator")

Togo Tales (R=1.2)
Feb 20, 2016

3 easy scripts.  Character-building stories.  Sled dog adventures.  "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" includes these three true stories:  "Togo Runs Away," "Togo Saves the Team," and "Togo Leads the Way."  Togo became a key sled dog for The Great Serum Race–also known as The Great Race of Mercy–in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska.  He led his team more miles than any other team;  however, he did not make newspaper headlines because he did not deliver the life-saving serum to Nome.  (Balto, another sled dog, became famous for that.)  The annual Iditarod Race commemorates the historic serum race and travels the same trail.  A Script Buffet Club member requested an Iditarod script.  "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" is part of our growing Iditarod collection of Readers Theater scripts.  Perfect for primary level students, ELL and ESL students, and special ed students, "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" provides plenty of Readers Theater fun.  Includes vocabulary lists, tips, and over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

TIME: about 2+ minutes each    CAST: 3-6+ (optional choruses)    TONE:  serious, exciting   READABILITY:  grade 1.2

Oh, My Heart, Heart, Heart (Simplified) (R = 2.3)
May 7, 2015

Lub-dub.  Lub-dub.  Lub-dub,. Lub-dub.   Here's a fun Readers Theater script for 2-22+ readers on the human heart.  "Oh, My Heart, Heart, Heart" also easily works for Choral Readers Theater with the whole class.  Perfect for integrated curriculums, emergency substitute teacher plans, or health/science unit studies, this heart-healthy script comes with two pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  Since it's short, it can be a launching pad for a short study on the heart for Valentine's Day or Heart Health month (February). This is the SIMPLIFIED version, perfect for early grades, ELL, and special ed. (There is also a shorter EASY version with a readability of grade 0.6.)

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

 TIME:  3 1/2 minutes      CAST: 2-22+ (Choral Reading option)   TONE:  light, educational    READABILITY: grade 2.3

Oh, My Heart, Heart, Heart (EASY) (R = 0.6)
May 7, 2015

Lub-dub.  Lub-dub.  Lub-dub,. Lub-dub.   Here's a fun Readers Theater script for 2-9+ readers on the human heart.  "Oh, My Heart, Heart, Heart" also easily works for Choral Readers Theater with the whole class.  Perfect for integrated curriculums, emergency substitute teacher plans, or health/science unit studies, this heart-healthy script comes with two pages of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.  Since it's short, it can be a launching pad for a short study on the heart for Valentine's Day or American Heart Health month (February). This is the easiest version, perfect for early grades, ELL, and special ed. 

 *** We have added a Flexi-Curric™ version in our store with thinking questions, worksheets, and extension activities. TIME:  3 1/2 minutes      CAST: 2-9+ (Choral Reading option)   TONE:  light, educational    READABILITY: grade 0.6

Down in My Belly (R = 1)
Mar 16, 2015

Silly. Short. Fun.  "Down in My Belly" fits with a unit study on the digestive system, partner play or as a fun Friday filler.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, this easy script is perfect for beginning readers, ELL or ESL students, or anyone making a presentation for younger students  grades K, 1, and 2.  Adapted from the old folk song "Down in the Valley," "Down in My Belly" includes one repeatable verse.  Try using different voices!

TIME:  about 20 seconds        TONE:  light, fun          CAST:  2+ or 2 choruses       READABILITY:  grade 0.0  (think K-1)

Digestive System Commercials (1 & 2) (R = 2.1)
Mar 3, 2015

A talking stomach?  Why not?  These two commercials are from our script "Digestive System Olympics," but may be used separately in a study of nutrition or the digestive system.  Both commercials are short, easy, and entertaining.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans our "Digestive System Commercials (1 & 2)" could inspire your students to create their own commercials for a body system.  Perfect for students in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5, these easy commercials could also be used with ELL or ESL students.  Middle school students could present them as part of a bigger program on health to a younger class.  (Note:  "Digestive System Olympics" has a readability level of grade 4.7 WITHOUT these two commercials.)

TIME:  about 2 minutes each      CAST:  4-5 each       TONE:  light, yet serious      READABILITY:  grade 2.1

Digest It! (Simplified) (R = 1)
Feb 28, 2015

Digest.  Secrete.  "Digest It! Simplified)" focuses on the process of digestion in a memorable way.  Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, this is the simplified version of our original "Digest It!" Readers Theater script (with more vocabulary for a readability  of grade 1.4 or 1.9). Perfect for primary students grades 1 and 2,"Digest It!" is also appropriate for ELL and ESL students.

TIME:  less than 1 minute     CAST:  7, plus an optional chorus  TONE:  light and serious     READABILITY:  grade 0.0 (Think K-2.)