Reader's Theatre

One way to have fun while learning to read at the same time is through reading plays. First grade learns through what is called "reader's theatre." Through reader's theatre, students are encouraged to read smoothly with feeling - just like the character would. At this stage in our reading development, acting out the parts might be a little distracting. Instead, we focus on telling the story with our voices.

Below are listed some of the plays that we have used in class. As time allows, I would love to continue adding to our collection. Please feel free to use these scripts at home to practice reading fluency. Although some scripts have many parts, these scripts are often based on favorite children's stories in 1st grade. Many of the scripts only have a few parts, which would make reading with family members a breeze. Challenge your children to practice a play while you cook dinner, and then have a "dinner theatre" performance after eating!

Happy Reading!

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Description

The Little Red Hen
Parts (5): narrator hen pig duck cat






































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Narrator: Once upon a time, a pig, a duck, a cat and little red hen all lived together in a cozy little house on a pretty green hill. All day long, the pig wallowed happily in its juicy mud puddle, the duck swam happily on her little pond, and the cat slept happily in the sun. This left all the work of the house for the little red hen to do. One day, as the little red hen was scratching about in the yard looking for a nice beetle for her dinner, she came upon a grain of wheat. It gave her an idea.

Hen: Who will plant this grain of wheat?

Narrator: She asked of the pig, the duck, and the cat.

Pig: Not I.

Narrator: Said the pig.

Duck: Not I.

Narrator: Said the duck.

Cat: Not I.

Narrator: Said the cat. So, she did. The grain of wheat sprouted, and it grew and grew until it was tall and golden and ready to cut.

Hen: Who will cut the wheat?

Narrator: She asked of the pig, the duck, and the cat.

Pig: Not I.

Narrator: Said the pig.

Duck: Not I.

Narrator: Said the duck.

Cat: Not I.

Narrator: Said the cat. So she did it herself. Finally, the wheat was cut and ready to be ground into flour.

Hen: Who will take the wheat to the mill?

Narrator: She asked of the pig, the duck, and the cat.

Pig: Not I.

Narrator: Said the pig.

Duck: Not I.

Narrator: Said the duck.

Cat: Not I.

Narrator: Said the cat.

Hen: Then I will.

Narrator: And she did! Soon a little sack of fine flour came back from the mill.

Hen: Who will make the flour into bread?

Narrator: She asked of the pig, the duck, and the cat.

Pig: Not I.

Narrator: Said the pig.

Duck: Not I.

Narrator: Said the duck.

Cat: Not I.

Narrator: Said the cat.

Hen: Then I will do it myself.

Narrator: And she did. When the bread was baked, the little red hen took it from the oven. It was the most beautiful, crusty brown loaf she had ever seen.

Hen: Who will eat the bread?

Narrator: She asked of the pig, the duck, and the cat.

Pig: I will!

Narrator: Said the pig.

Duck: I will!

Narrator: Said the duck.

Cat: I will!

Narrator: Said the cat.

Hen: Oh, no you won't. I found the grain of wheat. I planted the wheat. I reaped the ripe grain. I took it to the mill. I baked the bread. I shall at it myself!

Narrator: And she did!!


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Parents and Teachers:

I hope to make my website a growing resource for developing readers. If you find links to any interesting, appropriate scripts for first graders, please send me the link or a copy of the script!

Thanks!