Included in the Lady Wonder: The Psychic Crime-Solving Horse Readers’ Theatre Unit: 6 page script 8 characters 1-3 narrators Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity Lady Wonder: The Psychic Crime-Solving Horse synopsis: In 1955, little Ronnie Weitcamp goes missing during a game of hide and seek with his friends. He goes deep into the forest asking his friend to chase him but is warned not to do so. Shortly thereafter, the police and Ronnie’s mother are searching for Ronnie, but they do not find him. The police have exhausted all leads in the case, so Officer Randolph suggests asking Lady Wonder, the psychic horse. She successfully solved a child disappearence years ago. Fearing nothing to lose, Detective Gary reluctantly travels to Lady Wonder’s stable for some answers. Stable keeper Martha warns Detective Gary that Lady Wonder is older now and may not answer any or all of his questions. Detective Gary takes out his notepad and proceeds to question Lady Wonder. Will it lead him to little Ronnie? Can Lady Wonder be trusted? Would you trust a horse to answer life or death questions? Find out in the Lady Wonder: The Psychic Crime-Solving Horse readers’ theatre unit! Mr. Marvel’s Musings: Lady Wonder (1924-1957) was a real horse that predicted events, elections, supposedly had psychic powers, and solved crimes. Your students can research the real Lady Wonder and see if she was legitmate in her findings and predictions or if they were suspicious. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Lady Wonder: The Psychic Crime-Solving Horse Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Jacques Came Back Readers’ Theatre Unit: 7 page script 5 characters 1-3 narrators Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity Jacques Came Back synopsis: Young Rene was given a fluffy white kitten that he lovingly named Jacques. One day, while Rene and his family are in the backyard, Jacques chases a mouse into the street and is run over by a truck. Rene’s parents are worried for their son, but Rene seems perfectly fine and happy… because he still sees Jacques in the house. Rene’s parents allow him to imagine Jacques, but after 1 month they begin to feel concerned. Will a visit to the hospital and a consultation with a specialist help Rene get over his grief… or has Jacques never left? Find out in the Jacques Came Back Readers’ Theatre Unit. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? When I am not reading a reader’s theatre unit with my class, I usually reserve Friday’s for the reading of a one-off story. It is an event that the class looks forward to, since they do not know which story I will choose. Great for Librarians and small groups. I project the stories on the screen and assign characters in class. Some characters only have 1 line. A supporting character like that is perfect for a reluctant reader. I have read these stories remotely/online and in class/in-person. I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student’s parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Jacques Came Back Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Eaten Alive! A Whale of a Tale Readers’ Theatre Unit: 4 page script 4 characters 1-3 narrators Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity Eaten Alive! A Whale of a Tale! Synopsis: In 1891, James Bartley and his team of whale hunters have had a successful hunt. 2 whales try to flee Bartley and his team. One is killed while the other injured. The injured whale knows it is being pursued, so it quickly turns around and bites the whaling boat in half; swallowing Bartley in the process. One day, while gutting a whale, one of the whalers sees the image of a person in the whale’s stomach. Could it be Bartley? If it is Bartley… is he alive? What condition will the person be in after being eaten alive?! Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? When I am not reading a reader’s theatre unit with my class, I usually reserve Friday’s for the reading of a one-off story. It is an event that the class looks forward to, since they do not know which story I will choose. Great for Librarians and small groups. I project the stories on the screen and assign characters in class. Some characters only have 1 line. A supporting character like that is perfect for a reluctant reader. I have read these stories remotely/online and in class/in-person. I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student’s parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Eaten Alive! A Whale of a Tale! Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Nightmare Farm Readers’ Theatre Unit: 11 page script 3 characters 1-3 narrators Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity Nightmare Farm synopsis: John Allen is riding his bicycle through a rural road in France when a thunderstorm roars above him. He trudges through the rain and mud looking for shelter, when he finds an old farm. He knocks and finds the door to be open. He enters and doesn’t find anyone there, so he makes himself at home. As John lights a fire, he hears doors opening and sees slime slithering towards him. Frightened by the encroaching slime, John abandons the warmth of the farmhouse and retreats into the rain on foot. He enters a tavern where the innkeeper pities him for entering the farmhouse due to its haunted reputation. The next day, the innkeeper informs John of the origins of the haunted farmhouse. John also consults paraphsychologist Morgan Fayette as he tries to take his bicycle back from the haunted farmhouse. Will John be able to regain his bicycle from the supernatural forces? Who was the mysterious man who lived in the farmhouse and what became of him? Find out in the Nightmare Farm readers’ theatre unit! Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Nightmare Farm Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Cursed Passenger of the Titanic Readers’ Theatre Unit: 6 page script 5 characters 1-3 narrators 2 page epilogue containing historical facts about the Titanic (What happened to Stead and the Straus couple), Princess Amen-Ra, and nautical disasters. Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity The Cursed Passenger of the Titanic synopsis: Some of the greatest events in history seem cursed before they have even begun. Sometimes that curse has been waiting 3000 years to come true! In 1890, the tomb of Princess Amen-Ra was discovered. When she was brought out, everyone who was in her proximity was cursed: the archeologists, the movers and the museum staff. Misfortune struck them or to the people around them. The legend of the curse of Amen-Ra made people fearful of the tomb. One day, an archeologist across the Atlantic requested the coffin, so Amen-Ra was placed on the Titanic, unbeknownst to the passengers. On board the Titanic are the the congressman and the banker, the Straus couple. They meet famous writer William Stead onboard the Titanic. As they are talking, they see an iceberg on the horizon… could this be the doing of Amen-Ra? Find out in the Cursed Passenger of the Titanic readers’ theatre unit! Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading The Cursed Passenger of the Titanic Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Burke & Hare: The Bodysnatchers Readers’ Theatre Unit: 17 page script 8 characters 1-3 narrators 1 page describing Body-Snatching throughout the Ages Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity Burke & Hare: The Bodysnatchers synopsis: Some people will do almost anything to make money. Hundreds of years ago, Burke & Hare did the most disgusting thing of all… they killed their victims and sold them to medical science for profit. Burke and Hare own and operate a boarding house. Hoping to recover a debt from a deceased lodger, they sell his body to science. Soon thereafter, Burke and Hare eye future residents of their boarding house and those on the street late at night as potential subjects to sell to Doctor Knox. Will Burke and Hare be caught as the bodies go missing? Found out in Burke and Hare: The Bodyscatchers Readers’ Theatre Unit! Mr. Marvel’s Musings: Hare and Burke strangle or suffocate the people they sell to Doctor Knox. In one scene, they strangle a grandmother. When her deaf grandson refuses to leave, he attacks Hare and is then strangled by the men. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Burke & Hare: The Bodysnatchers Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Charles Walton Witch Murder Readers’ Theatre Unit: 6 page script 1-3 narrators 2 characters 1 page of historical facts on the case Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity The Charles Walton Witch Murder synopsis: Why did Charles Walton die so horribly on Valentines Day? Impaled with a pitchfork and a cross carved into his neck? Who killed him? Why couldn’t England’s best detective: Detective Robert Fabian of Scotland Yard, not bring the killer to trial? Reporter Gillian Clifford interviews the now retired Fabian of the Yard and questions him on the case. He reminds her to put her notebook and pencil away, because what he is about to tell her on this cloudy day in the cafe, cannot be printed. What secrets will Robert Fabian of Scotland Yard reveal to the intrepid reporter? Nobody remembers the successful cases; they only remember the failures. Find out in The Charles Walton Witch Murder Readers’ Theatre Unit! Mr. Marvel’s Musings: This story is written as a dialogue between reporter Gillian Clifford and Superintendent Robert Fabian of Scotland Yard. Clifford prods Fabian with questions and prompts to get him to open up about the case. I think this script would be more effective with an older group. I read it with a small group of grade 10 students in the library. I did a brief preamble about the case with a mini slideshow and then let the readers take their positions at the front of the class. I imagine this could be an effective drama presentation since Clifford and Fabian do not move from their spots. They speak while seated in the cafe. I hope your students have an interesting discussion about the case. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading The Charles Walton Witch Murder Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Room For One More Readers’ Theatre Unit: 6 page script 1-3 narrators 7 characters Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity Foreshadowing Activity Room For One More Historical Facts 2 pages 4 questions Five Explanations for Ghosts 1 page Room For One More synopsis: Can a ghost see into the future and warn someone about a disaster? In 1883, British diplomat, Lord Dufferin was stationed in Ireland where he was writing the Dufferin Report for the British government. Later that night, his sleep is disturbed by a noise outside. Upon investigating the sounds, he sees a horse-drawn carriage and a man carrying a coffin. Dufferin asks the man what he is doing out there and the man replies “room for one more” as he points to the coffins on the carriage. Dufferin tries to apprehend the man, but he disappears. Years later, Dufferin is in the Grand Hotel in Paris where the eerie phrase “room for one more” echos through the halls. Is it a coincidence or just his imagination? Find out in the “Room For One More” readers’ theatre unit! Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student’s parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Room For One More Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the A Killing in Kildare Readers’ Theatre Mystery Unit: 6 page script 4 characters 1-3 narrators 1 page about Irish horror Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity A Killing in Kildare synopsis: In Kildare, Eire 1880: Tom Deeley’s son, Michael, is found by two peat-moss cutters. Michael was long thought to have boarded a ship to America. Patrick Freeley had asked Michael to take two bullocks to the market. He never returned that day, and now his body is found, but who could have killed him? Will the Freeley’s and the police be able to solve the mystery? Find out in A Killing in Kidare Readers’ Theatre Unit! Ireland is a country famous for its links with the supernatural. In Ireland no evil-doer is safe from the sort of freaky bad luck that befell the killer of Kildare. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? When I am not reading a reader’s theatre unit with my class, I usually reserve Friday’s for the reading of a one-off story. It is an event that the class looks forward to, since they do not know which story I will choose. Great for Librarians and small groups. I project the stories on the screen and assign characters in class. Some characters only have 1 line. A supporting character like that is perfect for a reluctant reader. I have read these stories remotely/online and in class/in-person. I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student’s parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading A Killing in Kildare Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Vanishing Village of Anjikuni Readers’ Theatre Mystery Unit: 9 page script 1-3 Narrators 3 Characters 2 page script of U.F.O. Fact Files Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Drawing Conclusions about Characters Activity The Vanishing Village of Anjikuni synopsis: In the winter of 1930, the father and son team of Armand and Raoul Laurent have enterted their cabin for the night after a successful day of trapping and hunting. After dinner, they hear a knock on the door and see R.C.M.P. Sergeant Duvall, who says that trapper, Joe Labelle reported a missing person from a village by Lake Anjikuni. Armand says he witnessed strange lights shining over the village a few weeks ago. What will the Laurents and the Sergeant find in the village and how will they explain it? Find out in The Vanishing Village of Anjikuni Readers’ Theatre Unit. People have been fascinated by life in other parts of the universe ever since humans first looked up and saw the stars. Sometimes extraterrestrial aliens seem to be the only explanation for strange occurrences on our own planet. Occurrences like that in a village in Northern Canada in what is now the territory of Nunavut. Mr. Marvel’s Musings: Sensational reports say that the villagers were abducted by aliens, while contemporary reports suggest that the villagers moved to another location. A good discussion can be had as well as some research. These stories are intended to promote a healthy curiousity about our world and to be detectives for unexplained events from the past. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? I hope you, and your students enjoy reading The Vanishing Village Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in President Lincoln’s Dream of Death Readers’ Theatre Unit: 9 page script 8 characters 1-3 narrators Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist President Lincoln’s Dream of Death synopsis: Death can happen suddenly, but some people have the uncanny ability to see the future in their dreams. President Abraham Lincoln is one of those individuals. Lincoln had premonitions in his dreams that his first term would be fruitful while his second term would have a tragic end. Despite the warnings, President Lincoln decides to attend a play in Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1863. Another individual is also planning on attending: Famous actor John Wilkes Booth. He views Lincoln as a tyrant and vows to end his presidency by assassinating him in the box seats. Will Booth get away with his plan and evade the authorities? What will happen to Mary Lincoln after her husband’s assassination? Find out in President Lincoln’s Dream of Death Readers’ Theatre Unit! Mr. Marvel’s Musings: To my dear reader who wanted an “entertaining and interesting” story about a U.S. President; I hope this story will entertain you and your class. A mix of supernatural and historical. I included some connections/conspiracies between Lincoln’s assassination and JFK’s assassination such as: they were both killed by men with 3 names. Their assassins had the same number of letters in their names. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading President Lincoln’s Dream of Death Readers’ Theatre script. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Ghost of the Red Barn Readers’ Theatre Unit: 8 page script 8 characters The Ghost of the Red Barn Fact or Fiction research project Rubric for Fact or Fiction project 2 page script: The Historical Facts of the Maria Marten Case Drawing Conclusions on Characters Task (1 page) Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist The Ghost of the Red Barn synopsis: Can a ghost come back to Earth and tell its relatives how it died? This story seems to prove that they can… or can they? Polstead, Suffolk, England 1827: Mrs. Ann Marten wakes up from a terrible nightmare. She tells her husband that their daughter, Maria Marten, has appeared to her in a dream with a terrible message… she has been murdered by her boyfriend William Corder and he buried her in the Red Barn. Dilligent husband John Marten investigates the supernatural speculation with a group of villagers. On the way to the Red Barn, John remains silent and suspect at the supernatural claims of his wife, while the villagers weigh the possibility of a spirit returning to warn the living. Some say dreams are nonsense while others believe that a spirit could infiltrate a dream and provide warnings. John and the villagers are now in front of the Red Barn. Will they find Maria buried within, or was it just a worrying mother’s nightmare? Find out in The Ghost of the Red Barn Readers’ Theatre Unit! Mr. Marvel’s Musings: Another supernatural mystery for you and your students to solve. I added a post-script that could also be read before the students research the case of Maria Marten. It provides more clues and more insight into the family dynamics of the Marten family and Corder family. -A man is hung in the gallows but there is no graphic description. -All of my information was provided by Wikipedia sources. -The students may also draw conclusions on other characters such as Baron Alexander, but the major characters have been inserted into the assignment. -I provided my class with one day to gather their research and then they presented their findings on another day. I wrote down new facts on the front board as they were being presented. I asked the students if they heard any interesting facts from the presentations to add to the board. Once the facts were displayed, we began making connections with the new evidence and facts. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading and researching the case of the Red Barn ghost. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Haunting of the Amityville House Readers’ Theatre Unit: 24 page script 1-3 narrators 12 characters Amityville Fact or Fiction research project Rubric for Fact or Fiction project 4 page Post-Research Script 1-3 narrators 5 characters Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist The Haunting of the Amityville House synopsis: The DeFeo family move into 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York. Everything is great at the start, but years later Ronald DeFeo Junior begins to act odd: he is pick pocketing and using drugs. Mr. DeFeo kicks Ronald out of the house. Later that night, Ronald runs into a tavern and says his family has been shot. The police suspect Ronald of the crimes and they do not believe his claims that a hitman visited the house or that voices told him to commit murders. Meanwhile, the Lutz family buy and move into 112 Ocean Avenue. As soon as they move in, strange things begin to happen. A priest is told to leave by a mysterious voice; strange smells begin floating around the house; Henry the dog keeps barking at the boathouse; little Melissa claims that a ghostly pig named Jodie is talking to her; slime is pouring out of the play-room walls and sliding down the stairs; mysterious storms smash windows and break down doors; mild-mannered father George Lutz begins acting aggressively towards his family. He says the house is telling him to constantly keep it warm by using the fireplace. Everybody in the home is beginning to have nightmares. Is the house haunted? What will George Lutz and his family do? Find out in The Haunting of the Amityville House readers’ theatre unit! Mr. Marvel’s Musings: -I included the post-research script so that the students can read it once they have submitted or presented their findings on whether the Amityville house is actually haunted. I included quotes and information from the various homeowners and from George Lutz. It is up to the class to decide if they think the house was actually haunted or if the Lutz family made it up for quick cash from a book and movie deal. -Drug use is mentioned. Ronald DeFeo is said to have been using drugs and that is one of the main reasons his father kicks him out of the house. -The DeFeo family is killed by getting drugged and shot. No other details are mentioned. -If you choose not to complete the Fact or Fiction research task, then you can read the first part of the script and the second half. I gathered all of my research from Wikipedia.

Included in the Who Murdered Abby and Andrew Borden Mystery Readers’ Theatre Unit: 14 page script 10 characters 1-3 narrators 1 Collecting Evidence: Suspects and Victims organizer page Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Writing Rubric Who Murdered Abby and Andrew Borden? synopsis: In Fall River, Massachusetts, August 4th, 1892, Abby and Andrew Borden are found brutally murdered by their daughter Lizzie and their maidservant Bridget. A doctor is called and neighbour Mrs. Churchill calls the police. Lizzie claims that she left the front door open when she went into the garden… or was it the barn… and while there, a sneaky axe-wielding maniac entered the house and murdered her wealthy parents. Her parents were also found to have poison in their bodies. Officers MacTavish and Billows investigate the crime while journalist Elizabeth Jordan of the New York World News observes and reports her findings. Lizzie is the main suspect but will she be found guilty of the murder of her step-mother and her father? Was the culprit really someone from the neighbourhood with an axe to grind or a scorned fellow who felt slighted at a business deal with the wealthy and miserly Andrew Borden? This looks like a case for your classroom of detectives to solve. Will your class find Lizzie Borden guilty or not guilty of the murders of Abby and Andrew Borden? Mr. Marvel’s Musings: I have received requests for more classroom mysteries (along with the usual cries for more horror haha :) ) I decided to add a historical tale of mystery and horror. I did not add details of the murders. There are 3 murders in this mystery. A cat, Abby Borden and Andrew Borden. At first, I added the details for historical fact, but my colleagues and I removed them and just state that they were found murdered with no details as to how they met their demise. These stories are read by a variety of classrooms with varying levels of sensibilities. If you choose to tell your class the details and show the disturbing pictures of the scene of the crimes, then you may do so at your discretion because you know your students better than anyone. That is another reason I did not create a historical slideshow for this mystery. I originally titled this mystery “the axe of Lizzie Borden” but it was too direct. I found this alternate title to be more mystery. Along with the suspect and victims organizer, I also encouraged students to use mind maps and branching organizers to sort their evidence from the story. The names used in this story are factual, except for the names of the two officers. I read this twice with one grade 6 class because they wanted to hear it again so they could write down evidence from the story.

Included in the Gingerbread Rabbit Readers’ Theatre Unit: 25 page script 11 characters 1-3 narrators 12 Book Report Choice Board Activities and Rubric 23 metacognitive questions Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist The Gingerbread Rabbit synopsis: On the edge of the forest lives a mother and her daughter, Mary. While Mary is at school, her mother decides to surprise her by making a Gingerbread Rabbit. Once alive, the kitchen utensils tell the rabbit that the mother is going to bake him and feed him to her daughter. Scared for his life, the Gingerbread Rabbit flees and is chased by the mother. Along the way, the Gingerbread Rabbit speaks to a squirrel and later on a fox. The fox tells the naive rabbit that he is also a fox. In order to hide away from the mother, the fox does his best to convince the Gingerbread Rabbit to stay with him in his cave. What will the Gingerbread Rabbit do? Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? When I am not reading a reader’s theatre unit with my class, I usually reserve Friday’s for the reading of a one-off story. It is an event that the class looks forward to, since they do not know which story I will choose. Great for Librarians and small groups. I project the stories on the screen and assign characters in class. Some characters only have 1 line. A supporting character like that is perfect for a reluctant reader. I have read these stories remotely/online and in class/in-person. I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student’s parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading The Gingerbread Rabbit, and continue to do so for many years. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Animal Farm Readers’ Theatre Unit: 101 page script Quiz with 54 questions with answers Quizzes for each chapter with answers 63 analytical questions Questions for each chapter Themes featured in Animal Farm Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Animal Farm synopsis: An allegorical satire where Manor Farm animals, led by pigs Napoleon and Snowball, overthrow their human master to create an equal society. Over time, Napoleon drives out Snowball, establishing a totalitarian dictatorship. The pigs abuse power, eventually becoming indistinguishable from humans, reflecting the Russian Revolution’s corruption. Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks. If the reader’s theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago. Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader’s theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment. I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles. Saving Paper My administration team does not allow many paper copies to be made from the photocopier, and we are subjected to a quota every month. I usually project the story onto a screen so everyone can see it. Paper is saved that way. Every school board is different, so do what is best for you and your students. :) When can one make time for a reader’s theatre story in class? When I am not reading a reader’s theatre unit with my class, I usually reserve Friday’s for the reading of a one-off story. It is an event that the class looks forward to, since they do not know which story I will choose. Great for Librarians and small groups. I project the stories on the screen and assign characters in class. Some characters only have 1 line. A supporting character like that is perfect for a reluctant reader. I have read these stories remotely/online and in class/in-person. I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student’s parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together. I hope you, and your students enjoy reading and discussing Animal Farm, and continue to do so for many years. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Wind in the Willows Reader’s Theatre Unit: 35 page script (This is a truncated version of the original story) Chapter 1: 6 pages and 4 characters. Chapter 2: 4 pages and 3 characters. Chapter 3: 3 pages and 2 characters. Chapter 4: 3 pages and 3 characters. Chapter 5: 5 pages and 5 characters. Chapter 6: 7 pages and 5 characters. Chapter 7: 4 pages and 4 characters. Chapter 8: 3 pages and 3 characters. 11 characters + the narrator 27 questions: 18 multiple choice and 9 short answer questions. 1 page of character descriptions 12 Book Report Choice Board Activities that extends the readers understanding of the story. Students should complete at least 3. Book Report Rubric based on 4 levels Drawing conclusions about Characters activity Reader’s Theatre Evaluations based on 4 levels and 5 criteria. Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist The Wind in the Willows synopsis: First published in 1908 by Kenneth Grahame, the Wind in the Willows follows the trio of Mole, Rat, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, after he becomes obsessed with motorcars and gets arrested for grand theft auto. I hope you and your students have fun reading The Wind in the Willows. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre

Included in the Lord of the Flies Reader’s Theatre Unit: 285 page story divided among 12 chapters: Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell 37 pages with 12 characters + the narrator Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain 23 pages with 8 characters + the narrator Chapter 3: Huts on the Beach 15 pages with 3 characters + the narrator Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair 23 pages with 8 characters + the narrator Chapter 5: Beast from Water 28 pages with 7 characters + the narrator Chapter 6: Beast from Air 22 pages with 8 characters + the narrator Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees 23 pages with 9 characters + the narrator Chapter 8: Gift for the Darkness 30 pages with 10 characters + the narrator Chapter 9: A View to a Death 12 pages with 4 characters + the narrator Chapter 10: The Shell and the Glasses 26 pages with 10 characters + the narrator Chapter 11: Castle Rock 21 pages with 7 characters + the narrator Chapter 12: Cry of the Hunters 25 pages with 7 characters + the narrator Major Characters in Lord of the Flies 4 pages The Lord of the Flies Multiple Choice Quiz 100 questions with answers 12 Book Report Choice Board Activities that extends the readers understanding of the story. Short Answer Questions (links provided) 26 Analytical Questions Student Evaluations based on 4 levels and 5 criteria. Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Reader’s Theatre Checklist The Lord of the Flies synopsis: Published in 1954 by Nobel Prize winning author William Golding, and included on many lists citing Lord of the Flies as one of the top 100 English-language books that everyone should read. A group of British boys crash lands on a deserted island. The boys vote for an athletic boy named Ralph to be their chief. A tall boy named Jack is assigned the role of hunter. A boy named Piggy acts as the intellectual of the group. As the days pass, there is a power struggle between Ralph and Jack as they try to establish rules and govern themselves. The more they try to become civilized, the more chaos erupts on the island. There is also a beast that is frightening most of the boys; especially the lilluns. Tempers flare and death is added to their troubles. Will the boys be able to survive the beast and each other before they can be rescued…if they are ever rescued?

Included in the Season Readers’ Theatre and Poetry unit: Student Success Criteria for all scripts Student Friendly Goals for all scripts Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist for all scripts 6 Poems That is what I like about Winter 4 verses with 3 lines each Fun on Groundhog Day 4 verses with 4 lines each When is Spring? 3 verses with 4 lines each Summer Feelings 4 verses with 4 lines each The Sounds of Autumn 2 verses with 5 lines each and 1 verse with 7 lines Happy New Year! 4 verses with 2 lines each 8 Scripts Bruno the Greedy Bear (Winter/Christmas Story) 3 narrators - 4 characters - 4 pages Herman and Junior are out caroling on Christmas Eve. When they arrive at Bruno’s house, he throws a bucket of water on them and yells Bah Humbug at their Christmas spirits. Junior has a plan to lighten up Bruno’s heart. Will the plan work? David and the Snow (Winter Story) 3 narrators - 6 characters - 5 pages David and his family move to a snowy part of America. David is fascinated with snow because he has never experienced it. Before he runs ouside, his parents and grandparents prepare him for the winter snow by instucting David on how to properly dress himself for a colder climate. How will David like the snow? Will he miss his former warmer climate? The Tasty Valentines (Valentines Day Story) 3 narrators - 3 characters - 4 pages Leo the mouse lives in a hole in Arthur’s room. One day, Leo wants to rush out and down to the kitchen to eat some cheese but Arthur and his sister, Jane, are busy making Valentine’s Day decorations. Leo catches a new aroma… the smell of glue. Will Leo be able look at the decorations and nibble a bit of cheese? Junior’s Big Joke (April Fool’s Day Story) 3 narrators - 3 characters - 4 pages The Mud Turtles’ Easter Surprise (Spring/Easter Story) 3 narrators - 3 characters - 5 pages Scamper and the Big Bamboozle (The Fourth of July/Birthday Story) 3 narrators - 5 characters - 6 pages Scamper wishes that his birthday fell on the same day as the circus coming to town and on the Fourth of July. After making his wish under the magical Boozle tree, Scamper finds his wish come true, but will the day be too much for him to handle? The Picnic On Moon Mountain (Halloween Story) 3 narrators - 4 characters - 4 pages Brynlee the witch and her cat, Oscar, have a tradition: every Halloween, they fly through the air with the other witches. Unfortunately, Oscar admits that he is afraid of heights and and would prefer a quiet night indoors by the fireplace. Brynlee makes a compromise and tells Oscar that if he flies around with her that night then they can have a picnic on Moon Mountain. During the picnic, Brynlee and Oscar meet another witch and cat who may change their perspective of their tradition. Thanksgiving Dinner 3 narrators - 8 characters - 2 pages

Included in The Red Badge of Courage Reader’s Theatre Unit: 113 page script divided across 24 chapters. Questions: Chapters 1-3 = 11 Questions Chapters 4-7 = 11 Questions Chapters 8-10 = 11 Questions + definitions and questions on: Realism, description, sensory detail, symbol and antihero Chapters 11-15 = 11 Questions + definitions and questions on: Crisis and irony. Chapters 16-20 = 11 Questions + definitions and questions on: Description and suspense Chapters 21-24 = 11 Questions + definitions and questions on: Character, symbol, metaphor and Freytag’s Pyramid. Quizzes: *42 multiple choice questions about the entire novel with answer page. *A quiz on each chapter along with the answers for: Chapter 1 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 2-4 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 5-7 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 8-10 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 11-12 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 16-17 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 18-19 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 21-22 = 5 multiple choice questions Chapters 23-24 = 5 multiple choice questions Short Answer Questions: Chapters 1-2 = 5 questions Chapters 3-5 = 4 questions Chapters 6-9 = 11 questions Chapters 10-13 = 9 questions Chapters 14-17 = 7 questions Chapters 18-21 = 7 questions Chapters 22-24 = 5 questions Advanced Questions: Chapters 1-3 = 3 questions Chapters 4-7 = 3 questions Chapters 8-10 = 3 questions Chapters 11-13 = 3 questions Chapters 16-20 = 4 questions Chapters 21-24 = 4 questions 23 Short Essay Questions 50 Discussion Questions with answers 5 Creative Writing Prompts 4 Projects to choose from: *The Civil War *Portraying War in Art *Role Playing a Scene from the Novel *Listening to the Voices of War time Historical Context of The Red Badge of Courage: *The Civil War *The Battle of Chancellorsville *Literary Movements of the Late 19th Century *Understanding the text *Military Terms *Dialect in the novel 2 page biography of Stephen Crane List of Literary Terms Major and Minor Characters in The Red Badge of Courage 1 page of excerpts of Letters from Civil War Soldiers *5 excerpts The Red Badge of Courage Synopsis: Published on October 1st, 1895, Stephen Crane’s Henry Fleming has joined the Union army because of his romantic ideas of military life, but soon finds himself in the middle of a battle against a regiment of Confederate soldiers. Terrified, Henry deserts his comrades. Upon returning to his regiment, he struggles with his shame as he tries to redeem himself and prove his courage on the battlefield. Crane had never personally experienced battle, so he drew heavy inspiration from Century Magazine, a periodical known for its articles about the American Civil War. However, he criticized the articles for their lack of emotional depth and decided to write a war novel of his own. The manuscript was first serialized by The Philadelphia Press and quickly won Crane international acclaim before he died in June 1900 at the age of 28.

Included in the Anne of Green Gables Reader’s Theatre Unit: 352 page script featuring 24 characters + the narrator 38 chapters. 51 Chapter Questions 20 Long Form/Discussion Questions Reader’s Theatre Evaluations based on 4 levels and 5 criteria. Student Success Criteria Student Friendly Goals Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist Anne of Green Gables synopsis: Published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables is set in the late 19th century, and recounts the adventures of an 11 year old orphan girl named Anne Shirley who is sent by mistake to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had originally intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada. I hope you, and your students have a fun time reading Anne of Green Gables. Excelsior! Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre