Beatrix Potter Class Play or Assembly for Key Stage I (5 – 7 year olds) Part IV This is the fourth of a set of four – Parts I, II and III cover five tales each, and Part IV covers six. Thus, twenty-one in total. Cast of 24 (easily adapted up or down) and duration of around 10 minutes – this is reading time so performance can take it beyond this with possibility of further additions. Part IV consists: Tale 16 The Tale of Samuel Whiskers Tale 17 The Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan Tale 18 The Tale of Ginger and Pickles Tale 19 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson Tale 20 The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit Tale 21 The Story of Miss Moppet Cast of 24 plus Narrator (this role to be taken by the Class Teacher) The character, Ribby, does appear twice – she appears in The Tale of Samuel Whiskers and the Tale of the Pie and the Patty Pan; but for the sake of keeping the cast total at 24, she can be played by two different children. 6 groups: Group I (6 speakers) Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit Tom Ribby (Cousin and neighbour to Tabitha) Samuel Whiskers (Old man rat) Anna Maria (Old woman rat) John Joiner (dog) Sample Text Narrator: And so to The Tale of Samuel Whiskers. (Pauses) Goodness, is this one about Samuel Whiskers: (Interrupting) Me! A rat! Narrator: I have to say I am just a little surprised that it is your name in the title. Tabitha: A rat, indeed! Fancy! Ribby: A rat that nearly made a dumpling Tom: Out of me! John Joiner: That will teach you to misbehave! Group II (3 speakers) Ribby Duchess Dr. Maggotty Sample Text Narrator: Oh, I like this tale – about a pie and a patty pan! And a dinner party that went badly wrong (pauses) we’ve all been to one of those! Dr. Maggotty: But this one takes some beating! Narrator: I have to agree. I mean, let’s start with the fact it was a cat inviting a dog to dinner! Ribby: I was the hostess, Ribby! Duchess: And I the guest, Duchess! Dr. Maggotty: And I was the doctor Duchess: A magpie! Ribby: Called Dr. Maggotty! Narrator: What a name! I’m not sure I’d call on your services if I were ill! Group III (3 speakers) Ginger (tom-cat) Pickles (terrier) Henny Penny Sample Text Narrator: Oh dear! This is not such a happy tale! Ginger: We lost everything! Pickles: (Sighing) Everything! Henny Penny: And whose silly fault was that? Narrator: (Gasping) Oh surely we should show these two shop-keepers some sympathy? It’s not every day your business goes under. Henny Penny: But it was their fault! They gave everything away!

Beatrix Potter Class Play or Assembly for Key Stage I (5 – 7 year olds) Part III This is the third of a set of four – Parts I, II and III cover five tales each, and Part IV covers six. Thus, twenty-one in total. Cast of 27 (easily adapted up or down) and duration of around 10 minutes – this is reading time so performance can take it beyond this with possibility of further additions. Part III consists of the Tales of: • Mrs. Tittlemouse (cast of 6) • Timmy Tiptoes (cast of 6) • Johnny Town-Mouse (cast of 2) • Mr. Tod (cast of 6) • Pigling Bland (cast of 7) Cast of 27 plus Narrator (this role to be taken by the Class Teacher): Assemblies Part I, II and IV all have a cast size of 24. This one, Part III, has a cast size of 27 – so to stay consistent with cast size of 24, 3 characters will need to ‘double up’ – unless there are 27 children available to take the 27 parts. 5 groups: Group I (6 speakers) Mrs. Tittlemouse (Thomasina) Beetle Ladybird (Mother Ladybird) Spider Bumble Bee (Babbitty Bumble) Toad (Mr. Jackson) Sample Text Narrator: And may I just start by saying, I think you, Mrs Tittlemouse, should have a medal for your patience! Mrs. Tittlemouse: (Laughing) Oh you mean all those unexpected guests! Narrator: Unexpected and uninvited! Beetle: First me Mrs. Tittlemouse: With your little dirty feet! Ladybird: Then me! You told me my house was on fire! Narrator: A clever ploy! And it worked – you flew off to save your children! Spider: Then me Mrs. Tittlemouse: With your cobwebs Bumble Bee: Then me Mrs. Tittlemouse: With all your untidy dry moss Toad: And then, me! Mrs. Tittlemouse: Who made the worst mess of all – water everywhere! Group II (6 speakers) Timmy Tiptoes Goody Silvertail Squirrel Little Bird Mrs. Chippy Hackee – Chipmunk Mr. Chippy Hackee – Chipmunk Sample Text Narrator: It was a little strange you, Mr Chippy Hackee, being there as well! I mean, we all know how Timmy Tiptoes got down there Silvertail Squirrel: With a shove from me Little Bird: And a tweet from me! Narrator: Oh dear! Just goes to show how much trouble one small tweet can cause! Goody: Yes, I’m always warning people about Twitter!

American Heroes Guided Reading Scripts This set of 5 plays (6 speakers each) and 5 quizzes dips into the lives of 30 American heroes and heroines - from the American War of Independence, Underground Railway, world of science, different walks of life such as entertainment and including children, and great Native Americans - all of whom strove against massive odds, and came out on top - an inspiration to us all. • Heroes of the American War of Independence Speakers: George Washington Samuel Adams John Adams Thomas Paine Benjamin Franklin Paul Revere • Heroes of the Underground Railroad Speakers: Ex-Slaves: Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and Josiah Henson White Abolitionists: Laura Haviland, Levi Coffin and Thomas Garret • Native American Heroes Speakers: Sitting Bull (Sioux leader) Geronimo (Apache warrior) Chief Joseph (Nez Perce leader) Tecumseh (Shawnee leader) Pocahontas (daughter of Chief Powhatan) Sacagawea (‘guide' on Lewis & Clark's trans-continent expedition) • Heroes in Science Speakers: Neil Armstrong (astronaut: first man to walk on the moon) Christa McAuliffe (teacher and astronaut) Albert Einstein (one of the world's greatest ever geniuses) Jonas Salk (developed Polio vaccine) Mary Edwards Walker (first female surgeon in U.S. army) Rachel Carson (great environmentalist) • Heroes from Different Walks of Life: Adults from the World of Entertainment - Children - and a Folk Legend Speakers Jackie Robinson (Baseball) Steven Spielberg (Movies) Elvis Presley (Music) Mattie Stepanek (Child poet) Samantha Smith (Child peacemaker) John Chapman (Folk legend) Sample Text Play 1 Heroes of the American War of Independence Paine: But what always struck me about this learned gentleman - right from the very first time I met him in England - was his tremendous sense of humor! Revere: Here! Here! I remember telling the missus, after she'd invited some friends to stay "Fish and visitors smell after three days"! And because these were Franklin's words, she threw them out the next day!

Amazing Women Guided Reading scripts (group readers/Readers Theater) These 5 plays (6 speakers each) plus quizzes start by taking a look at Amazing Women from across the world and across the centuries, and then focuses on the part played by women in shaping America's history - fighting for a voice both in society and politics. Reading time for each play is around 10 minutes. There are also quizzes - one for each, varying from 25 to 50 questions. 1.Amazing Women From Across the World: 15th - 20th century Speakers: Interviewer Elizabeth I Catherine the Great Indira Gandhi Eleanor Roosevelt Joan of Arc Sample Text: Eleanor: Well, thank you. Though I did just what I felt was right. Catherine: And you will go down in history as being a shining beacon of light. Course, that's what some of us set out to do - but things just didn't quite work out that way. 2. Amazing Women From Across the World: 20th Century Speakers: Mother Theresa Helen Keller (Helen) Anne Frank (Anne) Marie Curie (Marie) Princess Diana (Di) Margaret Thatcher (Maggie) 3. Amazing Women in the American Women's Suffrage Movement Speakers: Interviewer Elizabeth Cady Stanton Lucy Stone Carrie Chapman Catt Jeanette Rankin Alice Paul 4. Amazing Women in the American Civil Rights Movement Speakers: Interviewer Sojourner Truth Harriet Tubman Ida Wells Fannie Lou Townsend Hamer Rosa Parks 5. Amazing First Ladies 31-35 Speakers: Interviewer Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Wife of John F. Kennedy Claudia Taylor Johnson Wife of Lyndon B. Johnson Pat Ryan Nixon Wife of Richard Nixon Betty Bloomer Ford Wife of Gerald Ford Rosalynn Smith Carter Wife of Jimmy Carter

St. George's Day Set of 5 Guided Reading Plays on England: 1. St. George Meets Robin Hood 2. A Brief History of the English Monarchy 3. Famous People 4. England's Geography and 'Places' 5. English Customs This set of 5 plays, with 6 speakers each, plus quizzes, was written in celebration of St. George's Day. Narrated in all 5 plays by St. George himself, .... with a little help from Robin Hood! Sample Texts: Play 1 St. George meets ... Robin Hood St. George: Ah Robin! Thank you so much for joining me this morning. I trust you have been given an explanation as to why you are here? Robin Hood: Indeed. And may I say, it is an honour to fulfill such a role. That is, to one such as yourself. Play 2 St. George: Please! A little respect for the dead! OK so Henry VIII wouldn't be most women's number one choice husband Robin: Not if they valued their necks! St. George: But his daughter certainly made up for his lack of heart! Elizabeth I: Good Queen Bess! That's what they called me! Play 3 Queen Eliz: Of course not! It was those other great qualities - of standing up for what you believed in St. George: Like when I stood up for my faith, even though it cost me my life. Churchill: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.." Shakespeare: (Interrupting) "Friends, Romans and countrymen, lend me your ears .." Lennon: Sadly that Emperor Diocletian didn't lend his or he wouldn't have had you beheaded ... Play 4 St. George: But before we visit any of these places, let us quickly look at where England itself is. Robin: That's easy! South of Scotland and East of Wales! Play 5 Weatherman: Indeed. Every cloud has a silver lining! St. George: Really? Robin: Just an old English proverb. We have lots of those

Sleeping Beauty cast of 6 Alternative version of the original Brothers Grimm version This is one of a set of 'alternative' fairy tales based on those written by Brothers Grimm but re-written, just as they did! This alternative Sleeping Beauty play can be used for performance or as a guided reading text. Cast size and Duration Cast of 6, reading time around 15 minutes Purchase includes: Synopsis of original fairy tale, play script, teaching input, discussion and suggested follow up activities. Other cast of 6 alternative plays: Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty is also available as assembly/class play cast size 30 (easily adaptable up or down) along with Cinderella and Snow White. Snow White also available as a pantomime - cast of 30 or 60. Sample Text Narrator: (Shouting) You may want to switch your alarm off! (Queen goes over and switches it off) King: Phew! Thank goodness for that! (Sound of loud snoring from Sleeping Beauty) King: But wait! What is that awful noise? Narrator: That awful noise is your daughter! Queen: Oh dear! No wonder there wasn’t a prince in this script! King: (Tutting) Time she woke up. Queen: Oh don’t be too harsh! She is a princess, after all! And we all know how much princesses need their beauty sleep! King: (Grunting) Huh! This one more than others! Come on Sleeping Beauty! (King gives her a shake) Sleeping Beauty: (Yawning) Oh, why? Why must I always get woken up? Queen: I’m sorry, my dear. I did try and explain how much you needed your beauty sleep! Sleeping Beauty: Beauty sleep? What’s that got to do with it? King: Er well Sleeping Beauty: Were you not listening at the beginning? I, along with all the other girls out there, was not put on this earth simply to find a prince – handsome or otherwise. And now I’m awake there are going to be a few changes around here. Queen: (Gasping) But Sleeping Beauty! Sleeping Beauty: And that can be the first thing to change! My name! I care not for either Sleeping or Beauty! Just call me Frankie in future! Queen and King: (Together) Frankie?

Fairy Tale Pantomime This script can either be used for performance purposes - as a pantomime, a Christmas play or an assembly - or as a set of guided reading scripts (Readers Theater) to be used within the classroom. 35 pages of fun – and extremely bad jokes! Cast of 30 (five groups of six) Play I SLEEPING BEAUTY Speaker 1 Narrator Speaker 2 Sleeping Beauty Speaker 3 Prince (girl) Speaker 4 Good Fairy (boy) Speaker 5 Bad Fairy (boy) Speaker 6 Sleeping Beauty’s Mother – the Dame Play II CINDERELLA Speaker 7: Cinderella Speaker 8: Bad Sister 1 Speaker 9: Bad Sister 2 Speaker 10: Fairy Godmother Speaker 11: Prince Speaker 12: Cinderella’s Step-Mum alias ‘Dame’ Play III SNOW WHITE Speaker 13: Mirror Speaker 14: Wicked Queen/Step-Mother Speaker 15: Snow White Speaker 16: Huntsman/Prince Speaker 17: Dwarf 1 Dopey/Dame Speaker 18: Dwarf 2 Jolly Play IV Little Red Riding Hood Speaker 19: Little Red Riding Hood Speaker 20: Little Red Riding Hood’s Mother Speaker 21 Big Bad Wolf Speaker 22: Grannie/Dame Speaker 23: Huntsman Speaker 24: Censor Play V RUMPELSTILTSKIN Narrator: Narrator Speaker 25: Rumpelstiltskin Speaker 26: Daughter Speaker 27: King Speaker 28: Miller Speaker 29: Queen/Dame Duration: Around 30 minutes not including music suggestions (around 5 minutes for each of 5 plays) Sample Text: Music 1 – A medley of Christmas songs (Children file in, seating themselves along 2 rows of 15, facing the audience; in 5 groups of 6) Narrator: Good morning and welcome to our pantomime (Whole Cast stands) Whole Cast: (In disbelief) Our what? Narrator: You heard! I have decided that this year Child 1: (Interrupting) No way! Child 2: We’re always happy to come to your drama group, sir, but Child 3: Absolutely no way are we doing panto! Narrator: Oh yes you are! Whole Cast: Oh no we’re not! Narrator: There you are! I knew you wouldn’t take much persuading! Child 4: Er, I think you just misheard. We said Whole Cast: Oh no we’re not!

The Tales of Beatrix Potter Guided Reading Part II This is the second of a four part series of plays including: The Tales of • Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (6 speakers) • Mr. Jeremy Fisher (6 speakers) • Tom Kitten (8 speakers) • Jemima Puddle-Duck (4 speakers) • and • The Flopsy Bunnies (6 speakers) These five scripts are of varying lengths but take approximately five minutes each to read, with the total number of speakers at 30. These plays are simple adaptations/conversation pieces based on Beatrix Potter’s tales, for use within the class room. They can either be used as group readers or combined to create a whole class play/assembly. They can be used as PSHE/Citizenship and/or Literacy resources – there are many tips on behaviour both within the scripts and afterwards, in the Q & A/Discussion sections. In the case of the latter, these offer a very simple line of questioning – they are intended as a starting point for further discussion and can of course be expanded beyond this simple format. Tale 6 The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Cast of 6 Narrator Lucie Tabby Kitten (Cat) Sally Henny-penny (Speckled hen) Cock Robin (Robin) Mrs Tiggy-winkle One of Beatrix Potter’s best loved characters – the adorable Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. Accompanied here by some appreciative visitors. Narrator: So, where’s that wonderful hedgehog! I am so looking forward to meeting her! Lucie: (Crying) Oh no! Not another handkerchief lost! Whatever is happening to me? Narrator: (Aside) A little absentmindedness, perhaps? Just a suggestion! Lucie: (To Cat) Tabby Kitten! Have you seen them anywhere? Cat: ‘Fraid not! I don’t have much use for pocket handkerchiefs! See, I have paws! Lucie: (Sighing) Oh dear! Let’s try someone else. (To Speckled hen) Ah Sally Henny-penny! Have you seen my handkerchiefs anywhere? Speckled hen: (Sarcastically) What possible use would I have for a handkerchief? I have neither hands nor nose, or hadn’t you noticed? Lucie: (Sighing) Ah well, one more try! (To Robin) Cock Robin! Have you seen my handkerchiefs? Robin: (Indignantly) Why would I be interested in handkerchiefs? Narrator: Hmm, yes, sorry for stating the obvious but birds have beaks and claws – not noses and hands! Tale 7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher Cast of 6 Narrator Jeremy Fisher Minnow Trout Newt (Sir Isaac Newton) Tortoise (Mr. Alderman Ptolemy) A frog who fishes? And doesn’t like the damp? Does this character have any amphibious traits at all? Read on to find out! Sample Text Jeremy: Hey, this is no confused frog, I’ll have you know! It’s everybody else that is confused around here! So, what if I went out on my boat to have a bit of fun fishing? Beats sitting around in that damp house! Trout: But frogs aren’t supposed to mind the damp. In fact, most frogs positively love it! Jeremy: No, what I meant was

The Tales of Beatrix Potter Guided Reading Part III This is the third of a four part series of plays including: The Tales of : • Mrs. Tittlemouse (cast of 6) • Timmy Tiptoes (cast of 6) • Johnny Town-Mouse (cast of 3) • Mr. Tod (cast of 7) • Pigling Bland (cast of 8) These five scripts are of varying lengths but take approximately five minutes each to read, with the total number of speakers at 30. The exception is The Tale of Mr. Tod which is around 15 minutes reading time – this the longest script in the collection. These plays are simple adaptations/conversation pieces based on Beatrix Potter’s tales, for use within the class room. They can either be used as group readers or combined to create a whole class play/assembly. They can be used as PSHE/Citizenship and/or Literacy resources – there are many tips on behaviour both within the scripts and afterwards, in the Q & A/Discussion sections. In the case of the latter, these offer a very simple line of questioning – they are intended as a starting point for further discussion and can of course be expanded beyond this simple format. Tale 11 The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse Cast of 6 Mrs. Tittlemouse (Thomasina) Beetle Ladybird (Mother Ladybird) Spider Bumble Bee (Babbitty Bumble) Toad (Mr. Jackson) How can you feel anything but total sympathy for Mrs Tittlemouse – so house-proud and having her spotless house invaded by so many uninvited (and extremely messy) guests? Especially Mr. Jackson – who definitely needs familiarising with the expression ‘outstaying your welcome’! Sample Text: Mrs. Tittlemouse: (Indignantly) But none of you were invited! You all just let yourselves in! Beetle: Are you calling us trespassers? Ladybird: You who told me my house was on fire? Mrs. Tittlemouse: Well, I had to get rid of you somehow! Spider: And there I was, just looking for Little Miss Muffet! Mrs. Tittlemouse: And leaving trails of cobwebs behind, wherever you went! Bumble Bee: (Tutting) Zizz, Bizz, Bizzz! Mrs. Tittlemouse: (Impatiently) Meaning? Bumble Bee: Zizz, Bizz, Bizzz! Mrs. Tittlemouse: (Sarcastically) Very helpful! Toad: I think what she is trying to say is Bumble Bee: (Interrupting angrily) Hey, I can speak for myself, thank you very much! Mrs. Tittlemouse: So, perhaps you can explain all that moss I found in my store cupboard? Bumble Bee: (Hesitantly) Well, it was, er, Mrs. Tittlemouse: Home to your family of bees! The cheek of it! Beetle: (Gasping) Ooh! You mean, she’d set up house (pausing) inside your house? Mrs. Tittlemouse: Exactly! Without so much as a please or a thank you! Ladybird: You mean, Babbitty Bumble just (pauses) moved in? Mrs. Tittlemouse: Quite so! (Pauses) So now can you see why I was less than accommodating to the rest of you? Beetle: Well, if you’re going to be taken advantage of like that, of course we understand. Oh dear! And there I was worrying about my dirty feet!

The Tales of Beatrix Potter – adapted and revised, Part Four Tales 16 – 21 This is the fourth and final part of a four-part series of plays including: The Tales of: • Samuel Whiskers • The Pie and the Patty Pan • Ginger and Pickles • Little Pig Robinson & The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit and The Story of Miss Moppet The collection of twenty-one tales is available in four parts, Parts I, II, III and IV Parts I, II and III have five scripts each; each of these scripts taking approximately five minutes to read, with six speakers each – the exception in Part III being The Tale of Mr Tod which is the longest script in the collection at 15 minutes. These six scripts in Part IV are generally shorter than the scripts in the rest of the collection – especially the last two which hardly qualify as tales. There are a total number of 30 speakers. And unlike Parts I, II and III there are no question and answer sections. These plays are simple adaptations/conversation pieces based on Beatrix Potter’s tales, for use within the class room. They can either be used as group readers or combined to create a whole class play/assembly. The Tale of Samuel Whiskers (tale number 16) Cast of 7 Narrator Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit Tom Mrs. Ribby (Cousin and neighbour to Tabitha) Old man rat (Samuel Whiskers) Old woman rat (Anna Maria) John Joiner (dog) If only Tabitha had been a more disciplined parent! Easy enough to say after the event but nobody wants to end up as a dumpling! Not even the naughtiest of kittens – who probably deserved it! Sample Text Narrator: Cats, rats and a dog – this should be lively! Mrs. Ribby: I blame the parents! Tabitha: You would! So easy to judge others Narrator: (Intervening) Ladies! Ladies! Tabitha: (Petulantly) Well, it’s true! What would she know about bringing up three naughty kittens? Mrs. Ribby: Try asking yourself why they were naughty? Old woman rat: It’s very easy to find fault with others Old man rat: We should know! We’re rats! Nobody ever gives us a second chance! John Joiner: Well, you do come with something of a reputation!

School's Out Leavers' Assembly The cast size (30) can easily be adapted up (for a year group) or down, if necessary, to suit class size of less than 30. Duration: Reading time is only about 5 minutes. However, if all 12 songs are used, and say 2 minutes of each are performed, then this takes performance up to around 30 minutes. This is a rough figure depending heavily on how much of each song is used. What does it take to put a smile on those Year 6 faces? Maybe a large dose of great music and some equally great performances .... by the staff?! The lengths teachers will go to - or are we all really just frustrated rock stars underneath?! Easy to produce, great fun to do! Sample Text: Music 1 Yesterday – Beatles (Children file into places, singing as they come in and become seated; at the end of the song, all sit disconsolately, hanging heads in misery; group of teachers stand to one side, listening to their students) Teacher 1: What a beautiful song! Teacher 2: But why the long faces? Teacher 3: Why so sad? Teacher 4: What have you got to feel sad about? Teacher 5: This is your last day at school! Wouldn’t a better choice of music be …? Music 2 School’s Out – Alice Cooper (Teachers sing and perform really ‘over the top’ version of song; students look on in horror) Child 1: And they called us ‘sad’? Child 2: ‘Sad’ has to be the understatement of the year! Child 3: I’d say more like – ‘tragedy’! Teacher 6: (Beaming from ear to ear) Now you’re talking! Music 3 Tragedy – Steps or Bee Gees (Teachers again sing and perform totally ‘over the top’ version of the song; students increasingly alarmed) Child 4: Stop! Stop! Have you all taken leave of your senses? Teacher 7: Well, this is supposed to be a leavers’ assembly, isn’t it? (All teachers fall about laughing) Child 5: But guess what? It’s supposed to be our leavers’ assembly, not yours! Child 6: Yeah! You’ll all still be here this time next year! Child 7: Not like us! Child 8: We’re the ones leaving! Child 9: Not you! Teacher 8: So, why aren’t you celebrating? Other Leavers Assemblies by Sue Russell: It’s Good to be Me Leavers Assembly Leavers Assembly for Year 6s Our School’s Got Talent Leavers Assembly Olympics Leavers Assembly

If by Rudyard Kipling Assembly or Class Play Cast of 30 - easily adaptable up or down. Duration - around 10 minutes not including music suggestions. Unlikely as this may seem but this classic poem by Rudyard Kipling manages to bring together 20 readers and 8 rappers - along with one somewhat incredulous Narrator and poet! This assembly includes both original material and ... well, who can argue that the rappers aren't themselves a pretty original lot - to say nothing of the material they produce! If the language of the original If seems a little dated now, take heart from what can still be gleaned from it, in the right enthusiastic hands! Sample Text Rapper 4: So I think it’s fair to say Rapper 5: It’s all a bit iffy! (All rappers laugh) Narrator: Now, now people! A little respect for our great poet here, if you please! Rapper 6: Oh! Absolutely no disrespect intended, bro! Rapper 7: No, we were just making the point that none of what we are about to say is a given! Narrator: Pardon? Rapper 8: It’s all about making your own choices. Rapper 1: Nobody can make you good! Rapper 2: That has to come from you! Rapper 3: And that’s not always easy! Rapper 4: Take that first couple of lines (Narrator points to Reader 1) Reader 1: If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you Rapper 4: Sound familiar? Rapper 5: In this crazy world where everything has to be ‘now’, how many people do you know who can stay calm under pressure? Other poems converted into plays by Sue Russell: • Smugglers Song – Rudyard Kipling • The Highwayman – Alfred Noyes Also available – a large collection of alternative Shakespeare and fairy tale scripts plus • Take a Book – Different Genres of Writing Assembly • Great British Writers Assembly. This short small cast assembly - 6 speakers (with adaptations for whole class) focuses on the writers *Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis, A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll and J.K. Rowling and their books. • Roald Dahl Assembly

Paralympics Rio 2016 Assembly Cast size: 30 – easily adapted up or down. Duration: Around 10 minutes reading time; around 20 minutes with music suggestions included. This assembly covers all 22 sports that the athletes will be participating in, at Rio2016. In addition to this comprehensive coverage, there are references to how some of the special needs of the participants have been accommodated – as in the case, for example, of special equipment and facilities. Sample Text: (Enter Child 14 – holding Archery, Shooting and Fencing banner - and Child 15) Narrator: Oh my! What do we have here? Bows and arrows? I didn’t realise we were taking part in a Robin Hood production! Child 15: We’re not! Archery is a very serious sport, I’ll have you know! Watch and learn! You start by drawing Narrator: Oh, an art lesson, goodie! Child 15: No, silly! Drawing is when you pull back on the bow string, like this (demonstrates) and then release your arrow in the direction of your boss. Narrator: Now wait a minute! Just because you’ve fallen out with your boss Child 15: No and no! No, I haven’t fallen out with my boss – the boss is the black square block to which the target is attached! Narrator: (Wiping his brow) Thank goodness for that! Other scripts available from Sue Russell: ASSEMBLIES 1. Olympics PRIDE Assembly (PSHE 'team spirit' script) 2. Olympic Games 2016 Leavers Assembly 3. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly - covering all 28 sports 4. History of the Olympics Assembly 5. Rio 2016 Olympic Games Assembly: history and events - combined script including Olympic Ode 6. Olympics Assembly for Key Stage 1 Rio 2016 7. Paralympics 2016 Assembly GUIDED READING SCRIPTS 1. A Complete History of the Olympic Games Guided Reading Scripts plus quizzes - set of 8 scripts, plus quizzes 2. Olympics PRIDE Guided Reading QUIZ Rio 2016 Olympic Games Quiz - 100 questions and answers! plus OLYMPIC ODE

Roald Dahl School Assembly or Class Play Cast size: The small speaking cast of 6 can be increased to include the whole class by adding a supporting cast of characters taken from the five books. September 13th is Roald Dahl Day – this year it is also his centenary. To celebrate this great writer, I, Sue Russell have written an Assembly which attempts to capture just some of the man's genius. It is just a short assembly, looking at 5 of his works - The Magic Finger, BFG, The Giraffe the Pelly and Me, Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts; but in looking at these books again, I for one was reminded of Dahl's amazing ability to create the most bizarre characters, and situations .. out of nothing. He was, I think, a genius and his memory stays vividly alive through his numerous brilliant books. The play has a small speaking cast - teacher (narrator) plus 5 students, who are asked to pick their favourite author (Roald Dahl - no surprises there!) and favourite books. These are The Magic Finger, The BFG, The Giraffe the Pelly and Me, Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts. The supporting cast i.e. characters taken from these books, is left to the teacher's discretion i.e. depending on how many children there are in the class. Different 'favourites' could obviously be chosen and added to the ones 'my five' chose; and I have similarly left out extracts from the books, plus musical excerpts from the movies which could be added. This assembly can thus be expanded upon in a way to suit the individual class and their Dahl preferences. I hope I have provided a good starting point! If you are interested in looking at more great writers from Britain, I have written a Great British Writers Assembly which, along with Dahl, features the works of C.S. Lewis, A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll and J.K. Rowling. A good resource to have during National Children's Book Week, 1-7 October. Extract Lucy: The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me. Teacher: And why did you choose that one? Lucy: I loved the animal characters in it, including the monkey who isn't mentioned in the title! The three of them - the giraffe, the pelican and the monkey - make up a window cleaning gang, the giraffe acting as a ladder because of his magically long neck; the pelican acting as the bucket, with his special ‘Patented beak' and the monkey acting as the cleaner.

Stone Age to Iron Age Class Play Cast of 30 – easily adjustable up or down Duration: 15 to 20 minutes not including music suggestions This is one of two scripts written by Sue Russell and was written for upper Key Stage II (9 – 11 year olds). The second, Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age - also available off this website - was written as a simplified version of this one, for lower Key Stage II i.e. 7 – 9 year olds. This script has a truly wide-ranging cast that includes a hunter gatherer, a farmer, some guys with ropes from Stonehenge, a 'Rolling Stone', a caveman, ape, cast of Ice Age, a Celt, Iron Man ... and a Narrator and Archaeologist that just can't seem to get on! Starting 9 million years ago and running through all three 'ages': Stone, Bronze and Iron (yes, the play does take 'ages'!) this is an informative but, as usual, fun romp through history - with one long-suffering narrator! I chose to try to explain a little about evolution and how Stone Age Man 'came about' so as to put the aforementioned Ages into context. There is a phenomenal amount of information to cover in this 'Unit' but I hope I have covered the most important changes in this class play. The guided reading scripts, which can be read in the classroom, to accompany this class play, will I hope offer a more comprehensive coverage of the subject, with the usual quizzes to assess knowledge gained. Sample Text: Whole Cast: (Together) The Stone Age! Narrator: Ah! There we are! Now, that’s progress for you! (Enter Hunter Gatherer) (Narrator looks him up and down) Narrator: Hmm. Well, maybe not that much progress! (Exit Hunter Gatherer, shrugging his shoulders) Child 9: (To Narrator, angrily) Patience! Evolution takes time! It doesn’t just happen overnight, you know! Narrator: (Looking at his watch) I’m beginning to realise that. Now, where are we on that timeline? Child 8: (To Narrator, impatiently) Around 2 and a half million years ago! Weren’t you listening? When man starting using stone tools! That’s why it’s called Whole cast: (Together) The Stone Age! Narrator: OK! We got that! But how do we know that’s when stone tools were used? (Enter Archaeologist) Archaeologist: (To Narrator) You asking more questions again? Narrator: Well, Archaeologist: (Interrupting) That’s OK! That’s why I’m hired to do my job! To give people like you evidence!

Olympic Games 2016 Class Play - on all 28 sports! (One of 10 Olympic scripts written by Sue Russell) Cast of 30, approximate duration: 30 minutes. This class play on the 2016 Rio Olympic Games covers all 28 sports, identifying the challenges facing all those taking part in the Games this year. And as usual, our narrator has more than enough challenges of his own - keeping order with this very 'mixed bunch'! Citius Altius and Fortius are all admirably demonstrated - even by those winning backwards!?! Read on to find out who these unlikely champions are! Sample Text: Narrator: Well I do feel I’m burning up rather a large number of calories – just listening to what all these athletes have to do! Still, I guess sitting in a boat can’t be that hard! Child 16: (Exploding) Pardon? I’d like to see you taking on them rapids! Narrator: (Anxiously) Rapids? Whoever said anything about rapids? Not the white water variety I’m hoping? Child 16: Oh yes! You could find yourself in some very deep water! Narrator: Not if I have anything to do with it! I’ll be keeping my feet firmly on the ground! Child 16: Well, we do race our canoes on still water, too. But there’s nothing still about our bodies when we’re battling to get to that finishing line first! Child 17: And then there’s us rowers! The only guys to cross the finishing line backwards! Narrator: Pardon? Child 17: Yes, winning backwards is our speciality! Eight of us pulling on those oars, splashing along backwards! Narrator: So how can you see where you’re going? Child 17: By listening to the cox – he or she acts as our eyes and tells us which way to go! Narrator: Quite a responsible job, I’m guessing! Keeping you on that river – and not in it!

Leavers' Assembly for Year 6s This end of year assembly, for Year 6s, is a light-hearted romp through what they have learnt - with reference to The Big Three (Core Subjects) and not forgetting the Nine Foundation Subjects! The focus is on history (Romans through to the present day) but there are plenty of cross-curricular links along with 'mandatory' reference to Literacy and Numeracy Strategies (which ones?!) and other equally 'important' matters - such as what the dinner ladies are serving up! Cast: Written for a year group of around 90, 3 classes - speaking parts for all, but easily adaptable to smaller year group or fewer classes. Duration: The reading time is relatively short (around 10/15 minutes) so favourite poems or extracts from favourite stories could be added - for children to read or recite. Likewise with favourite Art and D.T. projects (evidence for which may still be at home!). Sample Text Shakespeare: What ho? Methinks this principal should learn a few principle facts himself! Like (embracing himself) "Some are born great, some achieve greatness" .... (pauses, pointing towards Principal) but alas "Some have greatness thrust upon them"! Principal: (Striding towards Shakespeare) Now look here, Bill! I'm the one running this show, today. You and your plays can go ... Music 5 Food Glorious Food - Oliver (Loud outburst of "Food Glorious Food" sung by Oliver and boys. Shakespeare and Drake exit, holding their ears) Principal: And who might this scruffy looking lot be? They wouldn't get into my school looking like that! Oliver: (With bowl held out to Principal) More! Please sir, can I have some more? Principal: (Yelling) More?! (Principal looks inside bowl, sniffs and pulls back in disgust) Principal: Ugh! I don't remember this being on the cafeteria menu this morning? (Line of dinner ladies file on, each holding a different dish, and offering food to Oliver, who samples each in turn) Production Directions This assembly was written for a year group consisting of 3 classes (around 30 for each). Thus, there are 3 groups: Like, Dislike and Not Sure (reflecting feelings about school); these then change into the 3 core subjects; and finally the 9 foundation subjects are added. This arrangement can be changed - dividing one class into three or two classes into three. Because of the primary focus being on history, this subject has the greatest number of speakers (52) - the other subjects just having a handful. Other Leavers Assemblies by Sue Russell: • Our School's Got Talent Leavers' Assembly • Olympics Leavers Assembly • School's Out Leavers' Assembly • It’s Good to be Me Leavers Assembly

Children of the World Class Play or Assembly Cast of 30 (easily adapted up or down) Duration: Reading time: 10 - 15 minutes; this does not include music selections, and can be extended with the addition of more jokes I have recently updated this script. It was originally written for children whose first language was not English so the language was very simple. I have added to the content – so it is suitable for the whole of Key Stage II, with the proviso that it may need a little simplification/shortening for Years 3 to 4. I work on the basis that it is easier to simplify text/take out chunks than it is to add on. I think this has made the script more rounded and complete. This script is a celebration of children around the world. It has a serious quality - addressing such issues as the importance of celebrating diversity in our world; but a great deal of fun too - with a large selection of jokes - some or all of which may be used at the discretion of the teacher! Narrator: (Clutching his head) But sorry, I’m just not getting this! How can you children, from every corner of the world, have anything in common? You lead such different lives! Child 11: That’s true. We have different religions Child 12: We have different hobbies Child 13: We listen to different music Child 14: We sing different songs! Child 15: But we are all part of this amazing thing called humanity! Child 16: And we should never let our differences stand between us! Other PSHE scripts written by Sue Russell: • You are Not Alone – Anti-Bullying Assembly • Rock Star – Self Esteem Assembly based on Hannah Montana • P.R.I.D.E. Assembly and Guided Reading Scripts - set out to demonstrate the importance of P.R.I.D.E. - an acronym for Positive attitude; Respect for yourself and others; the ability to make Intelligent decisions; time to Dream; and not forgetting all the Effort that needs to be put in - in all walks of life. The sport (basketball) can be easily replaced by another. This Class Play provides the perfect way of demonstrating what it takes to make it in life - the kind of success story all children can aspire to. I have used these to cover many events e.g. World Cup (football and rugby), Olympics etc. • Happy to be me Assembly • Character Assembly – What it Takes To Be Good • Feeling Sad Assembly • Good to Talk – 2 speaker script • If – Rudyard Kipling Assembly • British Values Assembly • Monsters Assembly • Dance Around the World Assembly • Also available: a set of PSHE scripts based on fairy stories – Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (alternative versions) – which deal with certain themes – serious subjects but handled with sensitivity and humour.

Our School's Got Talent Leavers' Assembly With a panel of judges drawn from teaching staff and school students, is there any possibility of justice - when it comes to judging the contestants?! Cast Size: 15 – 30 (For larger cast – up to 90 – see Production Notes) Duration: Around 20-30 minutes (to up to an hour – see Production Notes) Sample Text Music 1 - John Williams: Summon the Heroes (Everyone files in and takes up places) Head Teacher: Good morning and welcome to our Leavers Assembly for Year 6s. I have great pleasure in (Sound of ‘ranting’ from off stage, as Rant and Heck ‘explode’ onto stage) Rant: (Hysterically) Us? Today? Presenting a school version of Britain’s Got Talent? Heck: Why, yes! Oh heck! Didn’t I mention this to you? Rant: (Exploding) Didn’t I mention this to you? Well, of course you didn’t! Do you seriously think I would have agreed? Heck: (Spluttering) But… but… Rant: But… but… nothing! You’ve talked me into more than enough daft situations in the past – but not today! Heck: (Turning to Head Teacher) Oh heck! This probably isn’t what you were hoping for? Rant: And who’s this? Head Teacher: I’m the head teacher of …… Primary School. (Advances towards Rant with outstretched hand) So pleased to meet you! Allow me to introduce you, Rant (pointing to Rant) and you, Heck (pointing to Heck) to our audience assembled here today! You’re just in time to kick off our 2016 Leavers Assembly! Rant: (Incredulously) Kick off? Kick off, did you say? Well, if it’s Wayne Rooney … (pauses and mutters) …hmm, make that Lionel Messi - that you want to ‘kick off’ things today – you’re out of luck! Heck: No! No! He doesn’t need an international football star! He asked for us! Head Teacher: But if it’s too much trouble … Heck: Oh heck! Of course it’s not! Rant and Heck at your service! Other Leavers Assemblies by Sue Russell: • Olympics Leavers Assembly • School's Out Leavers' Assembly • It’s Good to be Me Leavers Assembly • Leavers Assembly for Year 6s