171

Theme 6: Play Reading (Day 8)

Brief Description:
Students read aloud a play with correct pronunciation and appropriate emotions.
Objectives:
1. Read and understand the emotions of a play.
2. Be able to use phonetic symbols in the dictionary to help with pronunciation.
3. Express feelings appropriately according to the emotions of the characters.
4. Work in a team.
End Task:
Each group of campers reads aloud a play to the class with the appropriate emotions.
Materials:
A monolingual dictionary
Procedures:
Introduction: This section is for the whole class
Activities
1. Introduction (This section is for the whole class.)

Time
(minutes)

Materials

20

CW1

40

CW2,
CW3,
CW4,
CW5

1. Introduce Play Reading.

Introduce Play Reading using CW1 and tell campers that they will
do this task at the end of the day again.
2. Read play and interpret emotions.
Ask campers to read play Listen to the Boy! on CW1
in pairs. Ask questions below and discuss answers.
How many characters are there in the play?
What are their characteristics, e.g. gender, age,
interests?
Tell campers to read play again, and ask them about
setting and time of play.
Where does the play take place?
When does it happen? How do you know?
Tell campers to read play again, and this time pay
attention to characters emotions. Ask campers:
What do you think are the emotions of each
person?/ how do they feel (happy, excited, bored,
angry, annoyed, sad, etc.)

CDListen
to the
BoyCW2,

172
How do you know? What are the clues?
Play CD and identify emotions of characters. Compare
answers with earlier ones when they only read play.
3. Divide campers into four groups and go to each base.

Base 1: Sounds
Activities

Time
(minutes)
20

1. Activity 1: Sounds
Get campers into groups of four and distribute CW6.
Teach how to pronounce these sounds: b, p, ch, sh, s, r/l,
v/w, br/bl, fr/fl, etc.

Materials

CW2

CW6

CW7

Let campers practice reading tongue twisters with group.

Tell each group of campers to choose one representative
to enter a competition to read aloud tongue twisters as
quickly as possible. (Use CW7)
Time each speaker and choose winner who uses the least
time in reading the tongue twister correctly.
2. Activity 2: Play Reading

40

Distribute CW2 to the group. Ask them to read and

identify characters, characteristics and emotions. Then
discuss answers.

Base 2: Stress and Rhythm

Activities
1. Activity 1: Stress and Rhythm

Time
(minutes)
20

Play game Stress Snap to make campers aware of

different stress patterns in English.
2. Activity 2: Play Reading
Distribute CW3 to the group. Ask them to read and
identify characters, characteristics and emotions. Then
discuss answers.

40

Materials

CW3

Stress Snap

(Pronunciation
Game by Mark
Hancock, CUP,
pp. 76-77)

173

Base 3: Linking Sounds

Activities
1. Activity 1: Linking sounds

Time
(minutes)
20

Play game Link Maze to practice linking sounds

together.
2. Activity 2: Play Reading
Distribute CW 4 to the group. Ask them to read and
identify characters, characteristics and emotions. Then
discuss answers.

40

Materials

CW4

Link Maze

(Pronunciation
Game by
Hancock, CUP,
pp. 76-77)

Base 4: Intonation
Activities
1. Activity 1: Intonation

Time
(minutes)
20

Write this sentence on the blackboard: I love you. Read

sentence aloud with different intonation (I love you, I
love you, I love you) and ask campers to tell differences.

3. Activity 2: Play Reading

Activities
Distribute CW8 and go through CW.
Have each group of campers nominate a director who
will oversee performance. Then, have campers practice
reading their play using handout as guideline.
Walk around and offer help.

CW5

Intonation

Directions
(Pronunciation
Game by
Handcock, CUP,
pp. 103-107)

Play game Intonation Direction 1 (if there is enough

time, play Intonation Direction 2 as well.)
Distribute CW 5 to the group. Ask them to read and
identify characters, characteristics and emotions. Then
discuss answers.

Materials

40

Time
(minutes)
60

Materials

CW8

174
Performance:
Activities
Distribute CW9 and tell campers to use this form to
evaluate other groups performances. Go over checklist
with class.

Time
(minutes)
60

Materials

Tell campers to take turns in doing play reading in front

of class. Campers who watch the play evaluate other
groups performances.

References:
Byrne, D. 2000. Graded Reader: Five One-Act Play (Level 3). London: Penguin Language
Publishing.
Handcock, M. 1995. Pronunciation Game. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Preparing Readers Theater http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/Tips3.html
Clever Lucy http://www.loiswalker.com/catalog/clever.html
Moiras Birthday http://www.qesnrecit.qc.ca/schools/bchs/rtheatre/sample.htm
Water Cycle Adventure
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/rt/weather/watercycle.shtml
Tongue Twister Database http://www.geocities.com/athens/8136/tonguetwisters.html

CW9

175

CW 1Play Reading
What is Play Reading?
Play reading is team storytelling through narration. Students read their parts rather than memorize and
act them out. Therefore, it is less threatening. The emphasis in play reading is on oral interpretation of
the story through voice.
The common features of play reading are:
No full memorization. Scripts are held during reading.
No full costumes
No full stage sets

A Play
Listen to the Boy!
(Mr. Smith is in his grocery shop. Three women are waiting.)
Mr. Smith

Yes? Whos next, please?

Miss White

I think youre next, Mrs. Ball. You were here before me, werent you?

Mrs. Ball

Oh, was I? Thank you.

Mrs. Smith

What can I do for you, madam? Do you need any fruit?

Mrs. Ball

Yes, please, Id like

(A small boy runs into the shop. He pushes in front of the three women.)

Johnny

Please, Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith

One minute, young man! Im talking to this lady. And these two
ladies are waiting. (He turns to Mrs. Ball again.) Yes, Madam.
What we were you saying?

Johnny

But, sir!

Mrs. Ball

Be quiet! I want two kilos of potatoes, Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith

Two kilos of potatoes. Of course, I have some good ones here. (He points

176
to some potatoes.) Eighty pence a kilo. Are these all right?
Mrs. Ball

Yes, Ill take those.

Byrne, D. 2000. Graded Reader: Five One-Act Play (Level 3). London: Penguin Language
Publishing.

177

CW2Story 1: Clever Lucy

Clever Lucy
READER 1
JOHN

READER 3
READER 4
LUCY

READER 1
JOHN
READER 3
JOHN

LUCY
JOHN
LUCY
READER 4
READER 3
READER 1

LUCY
BARON

READER 3
LUCY
BARON
JOHN
READER 1

LUCY

There was a time in this country when most people made their livings
by farming. Some farmers did well; some barely scratched out a living.
I was one of the farmers who had a hard time feeding his family. My
name is John Carver. It has been many years since we lived, but my
friends and I would like to tell you a story.
John's farm was quite small, and though he toiled in the fields everyday,
his crops were always brown and scrawny.
It just so happened that John was married to Lucy, and Lucy was a
mighty clever lady.
My husband was not a very good farmer, but he loved his work. So I
decided that as long as he was happy, I would make sure we had
enough to eat.
One winter day, when the wind blew very cold and the snow drifted
very high, Lucy sent John to the chicken coop to fetch dinner.
This is the last chicken we have, Lucy. I don't know what we will eat
tomorrow, so roast it with care.
When the chicken was cooked, Lucy set it on the table. John said
What a grand chicken you have prepared! It looks so brown and crispy,
and it smells delicious. It is a shame we have not even a crust of
bread to go with it. Oh well, we cannot dwell on what we do not
have. Let us call in the children and eat.
Do not call the children. I am going to take this chicken to the baron
who lives in the fine house on the hill.
I do not understand you at all, Lucy Carver. Why do you want
to give away our last morsel of food?
Never you mind. I have an idea.
Lucy thought that if she gave the chicken to the baron, he might give
her something even better in return.
So she set off for the baron's house.
When she got there, she was shown into the parlour where the baron
sat with his wife, two sons and two daughters. Lucy gave the chicken
to him.
I hope you will accept this gift, sir. It is all I have to give you,
but you are welcome to it.
There is nothing we like better than juicy, roasted chicken. It smells
delicious. I would like you to divide it among us so that each gets a
fair share.
Lucy picked up the knife and looked around the room. All eyes were
upon her.
Let me see. There are six of you altogether.
Don't forget yourself. You shall share it with us.
Dividing one chicken seven ways so that each person was satisfied was
the task set out for Lucy.
The baron made himself comfortable in his favorite chair as Lucy looked
at the bird. The first thing she did was cut off the tail and give it to the
baron's wife.
Here, ma'am, you shall have the tail because it is your job to
sit in the house and see that it is properly run.

178
READER 3
LUCY
READER 1
LUCY
READER 3
LUCY

JOHN
READER 4
READER 3
BARON

READER 1
JOHN
READER 3
READER 1
READER 4
BARON
READER 3
READER 4
READER 1

READER 4
BARON
READER 4
READER 5
LUCY

READER 3
BARON
AMOS
READER 1

JOHN

Then she pulled off the two legs of the chicken and handed one to each
of the baron's sons.
Because you fine, strong boys walk your father's fields every day, it is
fitting for you to have the legs.
Lucy then gave a wing to each of the baron's daughters.
You lovely girls get the wings because each of you will
someday marry and fly from your father's care.
Finally, Lucy cut off the head of the chicken.
There can be no question that this is the right part for you, sir,
because you are the head of the house. And since I am just a poor
farmer's wife, I will be happy with the leftovers.
Of course, that meant Lucy got most of the chicken!
Wasn't she clever?
The baron laughed and slapped his thigh.
Bless my soul. You are a sly one, Lucy Carver! I have enjoyed myself
so much I want you to take this jug of nectar and this loaf of bread
along with the chicken. I hope our paths will cross again some day.
Lucy took the food back home. That night she and her family ate until
they were full.
The next day I was in town and told some other farmers what Lucy
had done.
One of those farmers was Amos Green. Amos was a greedy man and
was always looking for a way to get the best of a deal.
Amos saw no reason why he couldn't do what Lucy had done, so he
went home and roasted five, fat geese. Then he took them to the baron.
Here, sir. I would like you to have these five fine geese.
I thank you, farmer. If you don't mind, I would like you to divide the
geese between my family and yourself so each of us gets a fair share.
Amos took the knife, but just as he started to make a cut, he stopped
and scratched his head.
No, that won't work. Let's see. Maybe it would be better if I cut here.
No, that won't work, either.
Amos thought and thought. He stood on one foot and then the
other. But he could not think of a way to divide the five geese fairly
between the seven people.
Finally the baron grew tired of waiting.
Send for Lucy. She will know what to do.
When Lucy arrived, the baron said:
Here is the problem. We have five geese to be divided fairly between
me, my wife, my two sons, my two daughters, and you. Can you do it?
Why certainly, sir. Here is a goose for you and your wife. Now you,
your wife, and the goose are three. And here is a goose for your
daughters and one for your sons. Now they are threes. If I take the
two remaining geese, then I am three, also. You see, it's really very simple.
The baron roared with laughter. When he stopped, he turned to Amos
and said:
Do not come back to my house until you are as clever as Lucy. And
since I do not think that will ever be, I bid you a final farewell.
I left the baron's house with nothing but my hat. There was no gift of
bread and nectar for me.
The baron was so pleased with Lucy he rewarded her with three gold
coins and promised to teach John how to be a better farmer so the
family would never go hungry again.
The baron kept his promise, and slowly but surely, I became a good

179

ALL

farmer. My crops grew high, and my family grew strong. All because
of Lucy.
CLEVER, CLEVER LUCY!
THE END

http://www.loiswalker.com/catalog/clever.html

180

CW3 Story 2: Moiras Birthday

Moiras Birthday
(based upon the orginal book by Robert Munsch)
A Readers Theatre Script by Stephen Kohner
Moira's birthday is approaching and her parents allow her to invite only six children to her birthday
party. Moira has her own ideas and before you know it, Grade One, Grade Two, Grade Three, Grade
Four, Grade Five, Grade Six, and Kindergarten are all invited. "No problem!" thinks Moira.
Narrator:

Ever had a fabulous birthday party? This story is about Moira who threw the biggest
party of the year!

Moira:

Mom, Dad...my birthday is next week. I want to invite a few people to my party.

Mom:

A few people? How many is a few?

Moira:

Just grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6 AAAAANNDD Kindergarten.

Mom:

You've got to be joking! You're crazy! No way Jos!

Narrator:

So Moira did what most kids would do in her situation. She asked her Dad.

Moira:

My birthday is next week. I want to invite some people to my party. Mom said I
should ask you.

Dad:

A few people? How many is a few?

Moira:

Just grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6 AAAAANNDD Kindergarten.

Dad:

That's impossible! What are you thinking of? You can invite SIX kids. 1-2-3-4-5-6
and NNNNNOO Pip-Squeaks.

Moira:

Six kids. I understand. 1-2-3-4-5-6 and NNNNNOO Pip-Squeaks.

Dad:

Go and write out your invitations.

Narrator:

Moira spent the rest of the evening writing her invitations out. The next morning she
went to BCHS and handed them out. One of her best friends had not been invited.

Friend #1:

Moira, can I please, pretty please, come to your birthday party? One more person
won't make a difference. PLLEEEASE!

Moira:

I guess one more can't hurt but don't tell anyone else.

Friend #1:

Okay. I promise not to tell anyone else and a promise is a promise.

Moira:

I know I can trust you. That's what friends are for.

Narrator:

By the end of the school day, Moira had invited ALL of grade 1, grade 2, grade 3,
grade 4, grade 5, grade 6 AAAAANNDD Mrs. Thibault's entire Kindergarten class.
She didn't dare tell her parents. Maybe they would be just a tiny bit upset. Her party
was the next day. (knock at the door)

Friends:

SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Moira:

Welcome! Welcome to my party. Come in, come in! It's going to be so much fun!
(friends all walk in)

Father:

Six friends. That's good. One, two, three, four, five, six. Six... six is the best number.
LET'S PARTY!

181
Moira:

Maybe we should wait another minute.

Narrator:

Just then, something banged on the door like this:

All:

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

Narrator:

The door burst open.

Friends:

SURPRISE! We're here! Let's party!

Moira:

What a surprise! What are you all doing here?

Narrator:

Before they could answer, they all ran in. They ran right over the father and the
mother. There were kids everywhere. Kids in the bedroom, kids in the bathroom, kids
in the kitchen, kids in the basement, and kids hanging off the roof!

Father:

What's going on here? There are more than six kids here!

Mother:

Who invited them all? There's more kids here than at Walt Disney World!

Mother & Father:

What are all these kids going to eat?!

Mother:

Don't Worry... Be Happy! I have a plan.

Narrator:

And with that Moira went to the phone and dialed 296-8080.

Moira:

Yes, this is an emergency situation. I need 200 all-dressed pizzas delivered to my

home. I need them delivered NOW!

Pizza Lady:

200 pizzas??? Are you nuts? That's too many!

Moira:

Send us as many as you can. Or maybe you'd like us to come to your restaurant?

Pizza Lady:

No! No! Stay right where you are. Don't move. It will be our pleasure to deliver them
right to your house - no charge! We'll send ten pizzas right away!

Narrator:

Moira then phoned up the local baker. What's a birthday party without birthday cake?

Moira:

Yes, this is Moira. I need 200 of your best birthday cakes right away!

Baker:

200 birthday cakes? Are you nuts? I can't make 200 cakes!

Moira:

I have hundreds of hungry kids over at my place all screaming for cake. Do want us
to come over and help you bake them? I'm sure we could help you out!

Baker:

No! No! Stay right where you are. Don't move. It will be our pleasure to deliver them
right to your house - no charge! We'll send ten cakes right away!

Narrator:

Well, the next thing you know, a monstrous pizza delivery truck rolled into Moira's
driveway. It dumped a pile of pizzas on her front lawn. Then an equally gargantuan
truck drove in and dumped a pile birthday cakes.

Moira & Friends:

Narrator:

FOOD! Time to eat!!

The most amazing thing happened next. They gulped down all ten pizzas and at up all
ten birthday cakes in just ten seconds.

Moira & Friends:

MORE FOOD!

Mother:

More food? How can you eat so much? Where are we supposed to get more food
from?

Friends:

We'll find you the food. We'll be right back.

Narrator:

And with that, they all ran back to their homes. Moira and her parents waited one
hour, two hours and three hours.

Mother:

I guess they're not planning to come back after all.

182
Father:

I guess they're not planning to come back after all.

Moira:

Just wait and see. My friends won't let me down.

Narrator:

Just then, something banged on the door like this

All:

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

Narrator:

The door burst open.

Friends:

SURPRISE! We're here! Let's party again!

Moira, Mother & Father:

Look at all this food! There's frog legs, goat cheese, dinosaur eggs,
chocolate covered ants, pork liver, black beans, boiled bats, muddy mangoes and
sloppy subs. This is great!
Narrator:

The kids ate and ate and ate. They ate all the food in just fifteen short minutes. Then
everyone gave their presents to Moira. There were presents everywhere. Presents in
the bedroom, presents in the bathroom, presents in the kitchen, presents in the
basement, and presents hanging off the roof!

Moira:

Look at all these presents. There's no way I can open and use them all. It's just too
much.

Mother:

Forget about the presents. Look at all this mess. There's mess all over the house. Mess
in the bedroom, mess in the bathroom, mess in the kitchen, mess in the basement, and
mess hanging off the roof!

Father:

And who is going to clean it up?

Moira:

Don't worry... Be happy! I've already thought of a plan. Listen up everybody.

Whoever helps to clean up can take home a present.

Friends:

Yippee! Let's clean up!

Narrator:

In no time at all, the house was clean and the kids went home.

Mother:

Thank goodness. I'm glad that party is finished for this year!

Father:

Thank goodness. I'm glad that party is finished for this year!

Moira: Wait... I think I hear another truck.

Narrator:

Just then, a huge dump truck came and piled 190 all-dressed pizzas in Moira's
backyard. Another truck rolled in and dumped 190 birthday cakes beside the pizzas.

Father:

What are you going to do now? We can't possible eat all this food?

Mother:

There's enough food here to feed grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6
AAAAANNDD Mrs. Thibault's entire Kindergarten class.

Moira:

You parents always worry too much. I have a solution. Tomorrow we'll just have to
host another birthday party. We can invite grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5,
grade 6 AAAAANNDD Mrs. Thibault's entire Kindergarten class!

Narrator:

And so that is how Moira ended up with the biggest birthday party in the entire world.
Try and beat that!

http://www.qesnrecit.qc.ca/schools/bchs/rtheatre/sample.htm

183

CW4Story 3: Water Cycle Adventure

Water Cycle Adventure
The Sun:

Our story starts in the ocean. We are watching two drops of water.

Ocean water drop 1:

It's getting hot here in the ocean - I don't think I can swim any more. I'm
feeling light and airy! I think the Sun's doing it to me.

The Sun:

I can't help it - I'm hot and full of energy. That's what I do, and I do it so well,
don't I?

Ocean water drop 2:

Yes, you do, but I think I'm getting dizzy and there isn't even a whirlpool
here. I'm feeling so strange! I think I'll just float for a while - no more
swimming for me.

Ocean water drop 1:

Uh oh! You're not floating in the water anymore, you're floating in the air you're not a drop of water either - you're water vapor now.

Water Vapor 1:

What's water vapor?

Water Vapor 2:

It's water, but it's a gas. You've evaporated and turned into a gas - and so have
I. Let's fly up high!

Water Vapor 1:

I feel like joining the others and forming a crowd.

Water Vapor 2:

I think you mean a cloud, not a crowd. Okay, let's condense.

Water Vapor 1:

What does that mean?

Water Vapor 2:

Condensing means that we'll change back into a liquid (water, of course).
Then we'll be part of a cloud.

Cloud:

Okay, now we're a beautiful, fluffy cloud. Let's fly over the land and watch
the goats. Take a look at those beautiful mountains! But now I'm feeling
heavy and cold. I think I'm going to snow!

Snowflake 1:

Hey, what's got six arms and there's nothing exactly like it in the whole world?

Snowflake 2:

Me - I'm so special. You, too, of course. We're both snowflakes. Hey, where
are you going now?

Snowflake 1:

I can't stop falling - you're falling too. But where are we going?

Snowflake 2:

Down.

Snowflake 1:

Thanks - I knew that. It looks like we're taking a trip to the mountains. I hope
you know how to ski.

Snowflake 2:

Well, it looks like we're stuck on a glacier - I wonder why they're called
rivers of ice.

Glacier Ice 1:

I'm getting crushed here. Now I'm ice - this is NOT my favorite part of the
water cycle.

184
Glacier Ice 2:

We're only moving at about one foot a year. This is going to be soooooo
boring - it's a long way to the bottom.

Glacier Ice 1:

You'd better get used to it, we're stuck on this glacier for a while.

The Sun:

A long, long, long time later, two very bored drops of water emerge from the
bottom of the glacier. I haven't been much help to them lately.

Stream water 1:

Wow, I've finally melted!

Stream water 2:

Me too - I'm free at last. What a change, we were practically standing still,
and now we're shooting the rapids.

Stream water 1:

Watch out for that rock! And that waterfall!

Stream water 2:

Ouch! I've had enough of this. Can we go home now?

Stream water 1:

We don't have a home. At least we're out of the mountains. The water's
getting deeper. What's going on here?

River water 1:

You can slow down now - we're in a river. And we're getting warmer.

River water 2:

I like this. Not too fast and not too slow.

River water 1:

Let's go down this side stream - it looks clear and clean.

Reservoir water 1:

Okay. We're in a reservoir now - we'll be flowing through huge pipes soon I've been here before.

Reservoir water 2:

Here they are. It's dark and spooky in these pipes. How do we get out of here?

Reservoir water 1:

Just go with the flow.

Tapwater 1:

There's a light at the end of the tap - we're in a sink. Eew - that kid is
brushing her teeth!

Tapwater 2:

I hope she doesn't drink us - it's really weird when that happens.

Tapwater 2:

Whew, that was a close call. Looks like we're whirlpooling down the drain.
Hold your nose!

Water in drain pipe:

More dark pipes - but these pipes are really smelly. We must be in the sewer
under the city. Boy do I need to take a bath.

Sewage processing plant:

I heard that. I'm a sewage processing plant. You've come to the right
place. I'm so amazing that I can even give bath water a bath! Now
you're all filtered and clean - just take that pipe to the sea.

Ocean water drop 1:

We're finally back in the ocean. You know, I've done this trip a million times,
and every time it's different.

Ocean water drop 2:

I was well water in Washington once.

Ocean water drop 1:

I was in a typhoon in Thailand twice.

Ocean water drop 2:

I was rain in Rwanda.

Ocean water drop 1:

I was snow in Siberia.

185
Ocean water drop 2:

We've all been snow in Siberia. But I was in a puddle in Pakistan.

Ocean water drop 1:

I was in a lake in Louisiana.

Ocean water drop 2:

I was in a swamp in Switzerland.

Ocean water drop 1:

There are no swamps in Switzerland. But a long, long time ago, I was sleet
that fell on the snout of a T. rex.

Ocean water drop 2:

Showoff. I rained on a plain in Spain, and I seeped through the soil and went
into a cave, and was groundwater for 500 years.

Ocean water drop 1:

Boooorrrrrring.

Sun:

Hi there! It's me again. Did you miss me? I know you did.

Ocean water drop 1:

I feel so hot and dizzy!

Ocean water drop 2:

Oh no, it's starting all over again!

Ocean water drop 1:

I wonder where we'll go this time?

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/rt/weather/watercycle.shtml

CW5--Story 4: Snow White and The Dreadful Dwarfs

Snow White and The Dreadful Dwarfs
SCENE 1

186
Narrator:

Oh, here we go again. Seven hundred and ninety times weve done this thing.
Once upon a time in a far away land, a lovely queen stood by her window
sewing.
(The Queen enters, sewing)
As she worked, she pricked her finger.

Good Queen: Ouch!

Narrator:

Three drops of blood fell on the Kings snow-white shorts.

Good Queen: How happy I would be if I had a little girl with lips as red as blood,
skin as white as snow, and hair as black as ebony!
Narrator:

said the Queen as she sewed. When the spring came, her wish was
granted. A little daughter was born to the King and Queen.
(The King enters with a baby wrapped in a rug)

Narrator:

As the Queen looked at the baby she whispered

Good Queen: Little Snow White.

Narrator :

And then she died.

(The Queen collapses on the stage. The King scratches his head and
calls on the two guards).

King:

Oy!
(The two guards enter and drag the Queen off. The King follows
shaking his head)

Narrator:

You see, unknown to Queen, her wicked sister had coated all of her sewing
needles in poison so that SHE could marry the King and become his queen.
(The Wicked Queen enters)

Wicked Queen: Ah-hah! At long last I will be queen, and the whole kingdom will
be mine.
(She walks over to the Magic Mirror and drops 20 cents in the PAY HERE slot)
W. Queen:

Mirror, Mirror on the wall,

Who is the wickedest, most treacherous of us all?

Narrator:

You see, the Wicked Queen had this strange desire to be Public Enemy
Number One, and she would let nothing get in her way.

W. Queen:

Well, come on, whats keeping you? I paid my 20 cents

Mirror:

(yawning) Do you know what time it is? Its three in the morning

W. Queen:

I know, I know.

Mirror:

Youll never get away with it, you know that killing off the Good Queen.

W. Queen:

You just mind your own business and answer my question.

Mirror:

Anything to get some sleep. What was it again?

W. Queen:

Who is the wickedest?

Mirror:

You asked me that yesterday.

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W. Queen:

(picks up hammer) Just answer the question or Ill fracture you.

Mirror:

You are, Queeny. Can I get some sleep now?

W. Queen:

Youll get more than that if youre not careful.

Mirror:

Goodnight!
(The Wicked Queen exits)

SCENE 2
Narrator:

As the years passed, it so happened that Snow White did not follow in the
footsteps of her good mother but, under the bad influence of the Wicked
Queen, grew to be more and more like her mean aunty every day.
(Snow White enters with two others carrying a footy)

Snow White: What do you mean you dont want to play with me anymore?
Mick:

You play too rough.

Snow White:

What are ya?

Bob:

Micks right. You only got that goal because you were kicking in danger.

Snow White:

All right, so his head got in the way. Next time hell know to keep it out of the
way. Now give us me footy.

Mick:

But its mine.

Snow White:

Give it to me or Ill stomp on you.

Narrator:

Charming child, dont you agree? Just then the King entered to see
what all the noise was about.
(King enters)

King:

Children, children, whats all this noise about?

Mick:

Snow White kicked me in the head.

Snow White:

Big mouth! And dont call me Snow White. I hate that name.

Bob:

(teasing) Snow White, Snow White, Snow White.

Snow White:

You want a fat lip?

King:

Thats enough! Break it up!

Mick:

Heres your money back, Your Majesty. We wouldnt play with her for all the
money in the Kingdom.
(They exit)

King:

Now, darling, youre just going to have to learn to control your temper a little
more. Youre a big girl now and, besides, its your birthday today.

Snow White:

Did you buy me the present I asked for?

King:

Dear Snow White, a 500cc motor bike costs a lot of money and, besides,
youre only twelve years old. Youll just have to wait.

Snow White:

Gee, youre a meanie.

King:

Now, dear, if you promise to be a good girl well get you one for Christmas.

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Snow White:

Promise?

King:

Only if youre a good girl.

Snow White:

Well, from now on youll see a new me. I promise.

(Servants enter with birthday cake)

Snow White: Oh, is that for me?

James:

The cake you ordered Your Majesty.

King:

(exiting) Excellent! Put it in the parlour! And dont forget your promise, Snow
White.

Snow White:

No more fights, drinking and playing rotten tricks on the servants. (To Chef)
Did you do that for me?

Chef:

Yes, Your Majesty. Just for you. Do you like it?

Snow White:

Its bulk. But, wait a minute! Theres something crawling on it.

James:

Where?

Chef:

I cant see a thing.

Snow White:

Are you blind or something? There.

Chef:

(looks closely at the cake) Where?

Snow White:

There. (She pushes his face into the cake and runs off laughing)

Narrator:

As the years passed, Snow White grew more and more horrid, and her
despicable nature made everyone hate her, especially the Wicked Queen. HER
chief fear was that Snow White might grow to be the meanest in the land and
strip her of her title as Public Enemy Number One.

CW6 Tongue Twister

Instructions: Practice reading these tongue twisters.
B/p

189
1. Betty Botter bought some butter but, said she, the butter's bitter.
If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter.
But a bit of better butter will make my bitter batter better.
So she bought some better butter, better than the bitter butter,
Put it in her bitter batter, made her bitter batter better.
So 'twas better Betty Botter bought some better butter.
2. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

Th
The three trees
I thought a thought.
But the thought I thought wasn't the thought
I thought I thought.
Thank the other three brothers of their father's mother's brother's side.

S/sh/ch
s/sh
Silly Sally swiftly shooed seven silly sheep.
The seven silly sheep Silly Sally shooed shilly-shallied south.
These sheep shouldn't sleep in a shack; sheep should sleep in a shed.
I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.
Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.
She sells sea shells on the sea shore;
The shells that she sells are sea shells I'm sure.
So if she sells sea shells on the sea shore,
I'm sure that the shells are sea shore shells.
Ch
If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch which watch?
Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches?
Sh/ch
I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the
wish you wish to wish.
Which witch wished which wicked wish?
While we were walking, we were watching window washers wash Washington's windows with warm
washing water.

190

R/l
L
Lonely lowland llamas are ladylike.
R
Roland road in a Rolls Royce.
Round and round the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.
R/l
Red lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry, yellow lorry.
Ruby Rugby's brother bought and brought her back some rubber baby-buggy bumpers.
The crow flew over the river with a lump of raw liver.

Cluster
br / bl
bl
The boot black bought the black boot back.
A big black bug bit a big black dog on his big black nose!
The big black bug bit the big black bear, but the big black bear bit the big black bug back!

br / bl
Black background, brown background.

Fl / fr
Fl
A flea and a fly flew up in a flue.
Said the flea, "Let us fly!"
Said the fly, "Let us flee!"
So they flew through a flaw in the flue.
A fly and flea flew into a flue,
said the fly to the flea 'What shall we do?'
'Let us fly' said the flea
said the fly 'Shall we flee'
so they flew through a flaw in the flue.
Fl / fr

191
Friendly Frank flips fine flapjacks.
Freshly fried fresh flesh.
Freshly-fried flying fish.
Fat frogs flying past fast.

Gr
The great Greek grape growers grow great Greek grapes.
Three gray geese in the green grass grazing.
Gray were the geese and green was the grass.

Sl / sn / sw / sm
Six slippery snails, slid slowly seaward.
Suddenly swerving, seven small swans
Swam silently southward,
Seeing six swift sailboats
Sailing sedately seaward.
Swan swam over the sea.
Swim, swan, swim!
Swan swam back again.
Well swum swan!

CW7--Tongue twisters for competition

Instructions: Read these tongue twisters aloud as fast as you can and time it. The winner is the one
who reads the most accurately and the fastest.

192
SET 1
1. Betty Botter bought some butter but, said she, the butter's bitter.
If I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitter.
But a bit of better butter will make my bitter batter better.
So she bought some better butter, better than the bitter butter,
put it in her bitter batter, made her bitter batter better.
So 'twas better Betty Botter bought some better butter.
2. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

SET 2
1. Six slippery snails, slid slowly seaward.
Suddenly swerving, seven small swans
Swam silently southward,
Seeing six swift sailboats
Sailing sedately seaward.
Swan swam over the sea.
Swim, swan, swim!
Swan swam back again.
Well swum swan!
2.

If two witches were watching two watches,

which witch would watch which watch?

3. She sells sea shells on the sea shore;

The shells that she sells are sea shells I'm sure.
So if she sells sea shells on the sea shore,
I'm sure that the shells are sea shore shells.

http://www.geocities.com/athens/8136/tonguetwisters.html

CW8--Preparations for Play Reading

Preparing

193
In preparing your performance, follow the instructions below:

Prepare an introduction into your reading.

Highlight your copy of the script. Mark only the words you will speak.

Underline the words that tell about anything youll need to act out.

Read through your part silently. If there are words youre not sure of, look them up in a
dictionary. If there are words you must remember to stress, circle them. If there are places
youll need to pause, mark them with a couple of slashes, //. (For instance, you may have to
pause so the audience will know theres a change of scene or time in the story.)

Read through your part out loud. If youre a character, think about how that character would
sound. Should you try a funny voice? How would the character feel about whats happening
in the story? Can you speak as if you were feeling that?

Get up and read through the script again, trying out faces and actions. Would your character
stand or move a special way? Can you do that?

Rehearsing

Here are pointers your readers should remember both in rehearsal and performance.
Hold your script at a steady height, but make sure it doesnt hide your face. If theres anyone
in the audience you cant see, your script is too high.

While you speak, try to look up often, not just at your script. When you do look at it, move
just your eyes and keep your head up.

Talk slowly. Speak each syllable clearly.

Talk loudly! You have to be heard by the little old deaf lady in the back row.

Talk with feeling.

Stand and sit straight. Keep your hands and feet still, if theyre doing nothing useful!

If youre moving around, face the audience as much as you can. When rehearsing, always
think about where the audience will be.

Characters, remember to be your character even when youre not speaking.

Narrators, make sure you give the characters enough time for their actions.

Performing
Before an actual performance, discuss with your readers the what-ifs.

If the audience laughs, stop speaking until they can hear you again.

If someone talks in the audience, dont pay attention.

If someone walks into the room, dont look.

If you make a mistake, pretend it was right.

If you drop something, try to leave it at least till the audience is looking somewhere else.

If a reader forgets to read, see if you can read their part instead, or make something up, or
maybe just skip over it. But dont whisper to the reader!

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Finally, a couple of reminders for the director: Have fun, and tell your readers what theyre
doing well!
http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/Tips3.html

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CW9--Evaluation Checklist
Readers Theatre Evaluation
Piece Performed:

_________________________________________________________

Author:

_________________________________________________________

Readers:

_________________________________________________________

Great

Good

Could be
improved

1. Introduction into the

reading

2. Stress and intonation

3. Movement on stage

4. Performance (body
language & simple props)

5. Effectiveness (audience
engagement)

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END OF THEME 6
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