Wake Up, Gregory! Readers' Theatre Unit

Included in the Wake Up, Gregory! Readers’ Theatre Unit:
6 page script
1-3 narrators
6 characters
15 metacognitive/discussion questions
1 page explaining “What is Groundhog Day?”
Student Success Criteria
Student Friendly Goals
Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist

Wake Up, Gregory synopsis:
Gregory is a sleepy groundhog who just wants to stay in bed a little longer on February 2nd. Gregory’s sleep is interrupted as a line of his friends knock on his door, eager to hear his weather predicition. Gregory tells them to go away and to give him more time to rest. Will Gregory’s friends be able to wake up the sleepy groundhog before February 2nd is over, or will Gregory sleep through Groundhog Day? Find out in the Wake Up, Gregory! readers’ theatre unit.

Mr. Marvel’s Musings:
The metacognitive questions can also be answered in a class discussion. Written individual work or a class discussion. It depends on the grade I am teaching or if my time is limited in a librarian position. The questions can apply to both formats.

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.

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 Wake Up, Gregory! and continue to do so for many years.

Happy Groundhog Day and Excelsior!
Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre