I have just started adding my plays to TES (over 400)!but this will take time! All my assemblies/class plays and guided reading scripts are on www.plays-r-ussell.com and I am happy to write on request. I have converted the entire History Key Stage II curriculum into play format - and much of the other subjects such as Science, Geography, PSHE etc. I cover events such as the Olympics and have received great feedback from teachers around the world! Writing is my passion - hope you enjoy my work!
I have just started adding my plays to TES (over 400)!but this will take time! All my assemblies/class plays and guided reading scripts are on www.plays-r-ussell.com and I am happy to write on request. I have converted the entire History Key Stage II curriculum into play format - and much of the other subjects such as Science, Geography, PSHE etc. I cover events such as the Olympics and have received great feedback from teachers around the world! Writing is my passion - hope you enjoy my work!
This assembly, to raise awareness of Comic Relief and its fundraising activities, could be put on any day during the week leading up to Red Nose Day March 15th. Written for a class of 30 (numbers easily adaptable up or down), around 10 mins reading time - optional inclusion of music suggestions including this years's single One Way or Another - its very easy to do and full of awful jokes! Enjoy! And good luck with any fundraising activities - I am wearing a red tutu for a week (in and out of the zumba classes that I teach) - including a night at the opera!! Sue Russell
FREE Sport Relief Assembly
Every year I do something to raise money for Sport Relief - this generally in my capacity as a zumba instructor (guess what ‘sport’ is there in the script, representing Z on the sports list?!)
This script is about as versatile as I can make it - any cast size, any duration, any number of songs/music suggestions.
Good luck to everyone ‘doing their thing’ this year. My challenge is going to be ‘sitting still for one minute’ during each of my 15 zumba routines - a challenge beyond anything I have ever undertaken before! If you’ve ever been to a zumba class you’ll know what I mean!
Simple message to accompany this script - ENJOY!
Sample Text:
Child 26: Volleyball
Child 27: Weightlifting
Child 28: Wrestling
Child 29: Zumba!
Narrator: (To Child 29) I beg your pardon?
Child 29: Zumba! Would you like a demonstration?
Music 2 – Zumba number/Latin American music
(Child 29 ‘performs’)
(Loud applause from cast and audience)
Narrator: Magnificent! And I can see that dancing is just as energetic as all those other sports we’ve mentioned!
Child 1: (Fanning him/herself) Phew! All that hot Latin American music!
Child 2: But let’s not forget our winter sports!
Child 3: We have only just had those fantastic Winter Olympics!
Child 4: Who could forget
Child 5: The skiing
Child 6: Bobsleigh
Child 7: Figure skating
Child 8: Ice hockey
Next big sporting event – THE WORLD CUP! Check out assemblies, guided reading scripts and quiz on this wonderful theme! All available off TES and
Refugee Class Play or Assembly Description
Refugee Week 15 – 21st June
Cast of 30 Speakers including Narrator. This number can obviously be adjusted according to class size.
Duration: Around 5 - 10 minutes reading time
This script was prompted by a single thought. It’s one thing dealing with the current Coronavirus pandemic when you can retreat to the safety of your home but imagine not having a home to retreat to, in the current circumstances?
This is does not provide coverage of the refugee global situation. That would require an in-depth knowledge of the various wars that have given rise to displacements of population – both internally and beyond country borders. But it is intended as maybe a starting point for further discussion and research.
Let’s Meet …. King Alfred the Great
Let’s Meet Series (so far)
2 speakers (famous person plus interviewer)
5 minutes reading time (not including quizzes)
• Alfred the Great
• Boudicca
• Henry VIII
• Henry VIII – 2 scripts & 2 quizzes:
Wives
The Reformation
• Elizabeth I
• Florence Nightingale
• Vincent Van Gogh
Plus scripts between
• Queen Victoria and Elizabeth I
• Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole
This series of reading texts based on famous characters – past and present –will include monarchs, adventurers, poets, inventors, politicians, space explorers with two objectives:
To Bring History Alive (as with my plays)
To make reading a more lively, interactive experience – for both student and teacher
Also available: Vincent Van Gogh – a Monologue (plus quiz and discussion suggestions)
Plus
• Meet the Anglo-Saxons Guided Readers (See detailed breakdown after quiz)
• Wonderful Winchester Assembly or Class Play
Sample Text:
Interviewer: Good afternoon! And you must be King Alfred
Alfred: The Great! Please don’t forget that bit!
Interviewer: The only one of our kings to have that title
Alfred: And well deserved, may I add!
Interviewer: To be sure!
(Aside) Though why he needs to keep reminding me …
Alfred: So, as your memory did have that slight falter, shall I help you
Interviewer: Remember how great you were?
Alfred: Oh, that would be a little presumptuous. I’ll just settle for why I was Great!
Interviewer: (Aside) Amazing how little some egos need in the way of encouragement!
Very well. Let’s hear it.
Alfred: Maybe we should start with my scholarly skills.
Interviewer: Yes, I have heard you were quite the student!
Alfred: And I made sure everyone else benefitted from my knowledge – all that Latin in our books turned into something we could understand!
Interviewer: So, wait a minute. Before we get totally stuck into what made you great
Alfred: I can’t wait!
A Huge Thank You to Our National Health Service is just a short note of thanks for the tireless effort of our heroes in the NHS.
There can be any number of speakers as these are non-specific. There are 25 plus Narrator in this script but speakers can double up (to reduce number) or have additional text added with additional speakers. This is just a very brief ‘thank you’ and glimpse at when and why the NHS was set up i.e. its aspirations.
Sample text:
Narrator: Good morning. And welcome to our celebration of our great National Health Service.
(Whole cast cheers)
Speaker 1: We are all in awe of what the people within the NHS do for us.
Speaker 2: During the COVID-19 crisis they have and continue to stand out as our nation’s absolute heroes.
(Whole cast applauds)
Speaker 3: Yes, every Thursday night for the ten-week Lockdown period we all stepped outside our homes, at 8pm and put our hands together in recognition of the amazing work our NHS workers do.
Narrator: It was also to thank all our key workers who kept this country going. They played a crucial role and I repeat, a huge thank you to all of them too.
Speaker 4: It became a weekly ritual and we are hoping the whole nation will put their hands together again on July 5th to celebrate the NHS’s seventy second birthday!
Ode to St. George. I wrote this back in 2009 but, typical of me, have just come across it again - on St. George’s Day! Nothing like forward planning! It’s actually part of a St. George’s Day Bundle - over 50 pages including an Assembly On England in Celebration of St. George’s Day; and a set of Guided Reading Scripts covering England’s monarchy, people, places and customs - all very light-hearted and full of our weird and wonderful ways! Anyway, hope you enjoy this poem. One thing about this ‘lockdown’ period is that I’m coming across lots of my old favourite scripts - that I’d forgotten I’ve written!
Sample Text:
For England is the place to be
England is the land of the free.
England produced Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan, and Beatrix Potter too.
England produced the likes of Will Shakespeare
Wordsworth, Rowling and Edward Lear.
England has history that goes on forever
(Makes up, perhaps, for our crummy weather!)
England produced the Beatles, the Stones and the Who
And a capital city, London – equaled by few.
England serves the very best tea
England has health care that is free.
England is the place to be
England is the land of the free.
(All Together)
Rule Britannia!
St. George’s Day is here.
England never shall have
Anything to fear!
Butterfly photos
I have added these photos (89 of them!) as I think they would be a really good resource for teachers and students studying butterflies.
I took the photos at an amazing exhibition 'Sensational Butterflies' which was housed in a temporary greenhouse outside the London Natural History Museum this summer (July 2016). I had spent the previous week writing Butterfly scripts for PSHE (KS II) and it was just fate that took me to the museum that day, totally unaware that I'd be greeted with yet more butterflies! I have since written a script on the Butterfly's Life Cycle - KS I.
I did start labelling the butterfly photos - but decided having got up to about Butterfly No 75 that there were just too many 'I wasn't sure about' - I do not pretend to be a butterfly expert! And a lot of butterflies are remarkably like others - give or take a dot or two! I will try to get the butterflies in my photos formally identified - next time I go to a Butterfly Farm or exhibition. Of course, if anyone out there wants to take on this task for me, more than happy to hear from you, and thus pass this info onto my customers.
Likewise, the photos are in no particular order - just in order of download (the caterpillar and pupa are a few photos in).
The photos are there to be enjoyed - to be used for display or other purposes (I was quite pleased with the level of detail I achieved using my very 'standard' camera and you can actually identify features like the proboscis which would be useful for 'parts' identification).
So enjoy (no sample text given!)
Alternative Hamlet guided reading script plus lesson plan and synopses of original story and alternative
This script is a conversational piece between 6 speakers.
And is also available as part of a collection of four (with additional synopses – of the original and alternative scripts):
• Hamlet
• Macbeth
• Midsummer Night's Dream
• Romeo & Juliet
off TES and ww.plays-r-ussell.com
Sample Text:
Speakers:
Narrator
Hamlet
Claudius
Gertrude
Polonius
Laertes
Narrator: So, who’s going to tell me what really happened?
Hamlet: What do you mean? Everyone knows it was Claudius who killed my father, then married my mother, stepping into my father’s shoes as both husband and king!
Gertrude: (Sighing) Oh Hamlet! Can you still not face up to the truth? After all that has happened?
Claudius: A pity he couldn’t face up to it before!
Polonius: Just think how many lives that would have saved! Mine for one!
Laertes: And mine, plus my sister’s.
Hamlet: (Sarcastically) And those of my devoted parents? I don’t think so!
Gertrude: Oh Hamlet, what did I ever do to deserve such cruel words? What would your father have said?
Hamlet: Which one? The one you married in such joyful circumstances,… or the other, whom you married in such disgraceful haste?
Gertrude: You know full well, I meant your natural father. He was indeed a fine and noble man.
Hamlet: So why did you swap him for this rogue? This devil? This murderer?
Laertes: You really didn’t think much of your new father, did you, Hamlet?
Hamlet: Huh! And what about yours? Nothing very noble about his snooping around, finding out mischief wherever he could! Just a question of time before that proved his undoing!
Polonius: You really do have the most bitter heart! None of us ever bore you any malice. I do wonder where all that inner poison came from – that so poisoned your soul.
Hamlet: Well, there was plenty of the real stuff around! Like what killed my father, for example!
Claudius: How many more times do you have to be told – it was an accident. There was no foul play.
Narrator: I think we need to look at this pretty carefully, as it is this matter of guilt upon which the whole story hinges. It was always my understanding that Hamlet was the hapless victim, driven by revenge for the murder of his father.
Claudius: But that’s just it! There was no murder! It was all in his head!
Hamlet: Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you?
Narrator: So where is your proof, Hamlet? It had better be good or you’ve got a lot to answer for!
Aesop Fables: The Lion and the Mouse Guided Reading Script
plus
lesson plan including teaching input, synopsis, guided reading script, discussion points and suggestions for further work.
Cast of 6, around 10 minutes reading time
Lesson: 20 – 30 minutes, depending on how much of the lesson plan is used. The material could, of course, be split over a series of sessions.
The script can be used either as a guided reading script (6 readers) or as a mini performance (cast of 6); and could be used either in a Literacy or PSHE class (owing to the life lessons contained within the text)
Sample Text
Lion: Because sometimes you need to listen to someone else, take their advice
Mouse: However small they are! And that’s exactly what he did!
Lion: Yes, I listened
Teacher: And then was ‘big’ enough to act on that advice! See, sometimes you can become big by the smallest actions!
Pupil 2: (To Lion) So you let the mouse go?
Lion: That’s right! Was I the champ? Or was I the champ?
Mouse: (Coughing) Eh hem! Small matter of what I said to you?
Lion: Ah yes! You mean, helping me out at some future event
Mouse: When you, my large friend, might actually need me!
Pupil 1: (To Lion) And did you? I mean, need your wee friend?
Lion: Oh, I most certainly did! I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today if I hadn’t let my rodent friend here go!
Narrator: So, what happened?
Lion: I got caught by hunters, is what happened! Soon after bidding farewell to Mouse here, I managed to fall into a trap and get all tied up in knots!
Mouse: (Laughing) How very careless of you!
Lion: No laughing matter, I can assure you! If you, Mouse, hadn’t come along and rescued me
Pupil 2: (Gasping) What? You, a mighty lion, rescued by a mini mouse?
Lion: Indeed. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Teacher: Which makes you an even bigger, grander lion in my opinion!
Pupil 1: And mine!
Pupil 2: (Spluttering) But, but, wasn’t it just the tiniest bit humiliating – being rescued by a mere mouse?
Mouse: (Sighing) Oh dear! I can see we might just have to spell this one out!
Other available scripts: The Fox and the Stork, The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs, The Jay and the Peacock and The Tortoise and the Hare - available separately or as a set.
The Gorgons Head Lesson Plan and Guided Reading Script and Quiz
Each 'package' consists of lesson plan plus guided reading script (6 speakers) plus quiz/reading comprehension.
Lesson Plan (Around 20 – 30 minutes)
The lesson time can be reduced to 20 minutes by e.g. omission of quiz/discussion.
The script takes around 5 minutes reading time.
The quiz takes around 5 – 10 minutes.
These resources accommodate both small group and all class engagement. As explained in the lesson plan, whilst a group of six speakers read the script, the rest of the class (divided into teams) follows in order to answer questions that follow. There are also some ideas for follow up discussion, time permitting.
Time allowance is flexible - from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how much of the package is used.
This script, along with four others (Theseus and the Minotaur, Odysseus and the Cyclops, Pandora's Box and The Tale of Two Spinners) is available as one product - The Ancient Greek Myths Guided Reading Scripts
Sample Text
Polydectus: Women! Nothing but trouble!
Perseus: I’d be careful what you say, if I were you! I think we’re a bit out-
numbered here today!
Medusa: Correct! I, Medusa, am here today representing my two immortal Gorgon sisters, Stheno and Euryate. Shame I wasn’t!
Athene: Well, don’t go expecting any sympathy from me! Messing around in my temple, with that Poseidon! You deserved what you got!
Beauty is only for those who deserve it! You certainly didn’t!
Medusa: And you made sure no one would look twice in our direction!
Danae: What! With all those snakes for hair! I’d say not!
Athene: Plus that other one small detail – that once someone did look in their direction, they didn’t make the same mistake again! They couldn’t!
Quiz Sample
1. Who wanted to marry Danae?
2. Who was the son of Danae?
3. Why was Polydectes apparently so annoyed at his wedding?
4. What did Polydectes trick Perseus into saying?
5. What did he ask for?
6. Why did he want Perseus out of the way?
Odysseus and the Cyclops lesson plan, guided reading script & quiz
Each 'package' consists of lesson plan plus guided reading script (6 speakers) plus quiz/reading comprehension.
Lesson Plan (Around 20 - 30 minutes)
The lesson time can be reduced to 20 minutes by e.g. omission of quiz/discussion.
The script takes around 10 minutes reading time.
The quiz takes around 5 – 10 minutes.
These resources accommodate both small group and all class engagement. As explained in the lesson plan, whilst a group of six speakers read the script, the rest of the class (divided into teams) follows in order to answer questions that follow. There are also some ideas for follow up discussion, time permitting.
Time allowance is flexible - from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how much of the package is used.
This script, along with four others (Theseus and the Minotaur, The Gorgon's Head, Pandora's Box and The Tale of Two Spinners) is available as one product - The Ancient Greek Myths Guided Reading Scripts
Sample text:
Greek warrior 2
(laughing): Yes, we’ve heard how being a blacksmith was just a little bit too taxing for you! Did being born with only one eye mean you were only born with half a brain?
Cyclops 2: How rude! Though I guess it was a shame we forgot our old blacksmith skills.
Polyphemus: Even though I would never have driven a red-hot stake into the eye of any creature.
Greek warrior 1: Not even one that was holding you captive, and eating 2 men for breakfast and supper, every day?
Odysseus: Real convenience food, we were!
Polyphemus: Well, you did make a welcome change from lamb stew!
Poseidon: Enough! Here I am, trying to defend you, Polyphemus, and all you can do is confirm their story! What are you? Stupid, or something?
Sample Quiz/Reading Comprehension Questions
• What animals did Cyclops look after?
• What trade had Zeus originally trained the Cyclops for?
• How did Polyphemus prevent Odysseus and his men from escaping from his cave?
• Why did the Cyclops not help Polyphemus?
• What did Odysseus use to dull Polyphemus’s senses ..even more?
World Cup 2018 Quiz
100 questions (and answers!) on this year's World Cup and those that have gone before. Enjoy!
Also available: World Cup Assembly, World Cup Leavers Assembly, World Cup Guided Readers plus resources on participating countries.
Sample Text:
I Quirky Facts
1. Who used to practice with a slipper on his right foot and why?
2. Where was the original world cup trophy kept during the Second World War?
II 2018 World Cup
1. How often is the World Cup held?
2. Where is the 2018 World Cup being held?
III History
1. When was the first World Cup held?
2. Where was it held?
IV Records
1. What country has made the most appearances – the only country to have appeared in every World Cup?
2. How many appearances has this country made?
V Quotations
1. Who said “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I’m very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” – said to be the greatest football saying in 2006?
St. George's Day Poem (or Ode to St. George)
This poem was written in celebration of St. George's Day. It's about championing the cause of a national holiday and celebrating England as a country.
Sample text:
Rule Britannia!
St. George's Day is here.
England never shall have
Anything to fear!
Land of Hope and Glory
Mother of the Free
We have no national holiday
Now how can that be?
St. George, get off your charger
And come and sort this out.
If you truly champion valour
Then leave us in no doubt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Following emboldened text spoken by St. George)
OK, I wasn't born in England
That is certainly true.
I was actually born in the Middle East
When Christianity was taboo.
But wait a while, have you not heard
Exactly how I lost my head?
In defending my own Christian faith
I ended up .... Dead!
An inspiration
To those Crusaders later.
If you don't believe me, kids,
Go check your data!
I know how much England
Means to you.
Keep pride in your country
Trust me ‐ I do!
It's a while since I fought
For any worthwhile cause.
But give me a chance
And I'll champion yours!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England has history that goes on forever
(Makes up, perhaps, for our crummy weather!)
England produced the Beatles, the Stones and the Who
And a capital city, London - equaled by few.
England serves the very best tea
England has health care that is free.
England is the place to be
England is the land of the free.
Theseus and the Minotaur Lesson Plan, Guided Reading Script and Quiz
Each 'package' consists of guided reading script (6 speakers) plus lesson plan and quiz/reading comprehension; and accommodates both small group and all class engagement. As explained in the lesson plan, whilst a group of six speakers read the script, the rest of the class (divided into teams) follows in order to answer questions that follow. There are also some ideas for follow up discussion, time permitting.
Lesson Plan (Around 20 - 30 minutes)
The lesson time can be reduced to 20 minutes by e.g. omission of quiz/discussion.
The script takes around 10 minutes reading time.
The quiz takes around 5 – 10 minutes.
This script, along with four others (Odysseus and the Cyclops, The Gorgon's Head, Pandora's Box and The Tale of Two Spinners) is available as one product - The Ancient Greek Myths Guided Reading Scripts. These scripts are also available separately as guided reading scripts, lesson plans and quizzes.
Sample Text:
Pasiphae: This is a tale of two cities.
Aegeus: Athens
Minos: And Crete. It has vile villains
Theseus: A noble hero
Pasiphae: A wronged wife
Minotaur: And a hideous monster.
Minos: It is a tale of deceit
Pasiphae: Of shame
Aegeus: Of murder
Minos: Of revenge
Aegeus: Of sacrifice
Theseus: Of bravery
Ariadne: Of love
Aegeus: Of victory
Theseus: And of terrible tragedy.
Ariadne: So let’s see how this tale unfolds. Starting with the deceit.
Quiz Sample
1. What was the name of the father of Theseus?
2. He was the king of which city?
3. Who was the king of Crete?
4. What was the name of his wife?
5. What was the name of their daughter?
6. What was the name of her half-brother?
7. Who would you say was a ‘vile villain’?
8. Who was the hero?
9. Who was the wronged wife?
Peter and the Wolf – an adaptation, suitable for Readers Theatre, Guided Reading or as a Short Play
Cast of 10
Narrator
Peter
Grandfather
Duck
Little Bird
Cat
Wolf
Hunters – 1, 2 and 3
Duration:
Around 10 minutes not including teaching input and discussion which will add at least another 15 minutes.
This script has simple text, suitable for Lower Key Stage II (7 – 10 year olds); and can be just a straightforward reading or ‘instrumentalized’ – as per the original, as explained in the Production Notes.
Sample Text
Narrator: (Coughing) Well, we are going to try and tell some of that tale
(Aside) That’s if this lot let me get a word in edgeways!
Peter: So, that’s everyone introduced! Let’s get on with the action!
Grandfather: (Grumbling) Always so headstrong! So
Narrator: (Interrupting) Yes, you certainly had your work cut out with that one!
Grandfather: You can say that again! Never listened to a word I said
Peter: Oh, but that’s not true, Gramps! I did listen – it’s just, I er, well
Little Bird: Kept forgetting?
Cat: (Sarcastically) Bit of a bird brain?
Duck: (Angrily) Careful what you say!
Wolf: (Snarling) Or? Or what, little duck?
Narrator: (Intervening quickly) Now, now! No need for
Hunter 1: Violence!
Hunter 2: Aggression!
Hunter 3: Foul play!
Duck: (Repeating) Foul play? I hope not
Little Bird: (Interrupting) No, not fowl play! Foul play! With a ‘u’!
Narrator: Which is all very interesting, but
Grandfather: Look! Whilst you’ve all been twittering on, my grandson has escaped
Winter Olympics Quiz 1924 - 2022
Another Winter Olympics resource - to add to my class play and set of guided reading scripts - all updated to 2022 with over 100 questions - with answers provided! Here’s a sample:
Winter Olympics Quiz
I. 2018 Winter Olympics – PyeongChang, South Korea
II. Previous Winter Olympics – Russia 2014
III. A History of the Winter Olympics 1924 – 2014
IV. Memorable Moments from Past Olympics
V. Winners and Record Breakers
Sample Text:
I. 2018 Winter Olympics – PyeongChang, South Korea
1. What animal is the 2018 mascot, Soohorang, based on?
2. What is the connection between the length of the torch and PyeongChang?
3. How many events will there be?
4. How many sports?
5. Can you name four of these?
II. 22nd Winter Olympics – Russia 2014
1. Around how many countries are taking part?
2. How many sports/disciplines are being played?
3. How many events are there?
4. How many more is this than for the last, 2010, Winter Olympics?
5. What are the three animal mascots for 2014?
III. A History of the Winter Olympics 1924 – 2010
1. How often are the Winter Olympics held?
2. When was the first one held?
3. What Games took place before the Winter Olympics?
4. Where were they first held and when?
5. In what country were the first Winter Olympics held?
IV. Memorable Moments from Past Olympics
1. What is the Olympic motto?
2. Who won six perfect sixes in 1984?
3. What music accompanied them?
4. Who came last in both his ski jumping events in 1988 but still managed to steal the hearts of the British public?
5. Who held up the awards ceremony in 1998 for the 10km Cross Country?
V. Winners and Record Breakers
1. Which country won the most medals at the first Winter Olympics?
2. Which country is the top medal scorer to date?
3. How many have they won?
4. Which country is the next highest medal winner to date?
5. How many medals have they won?
Also available:
Winter Olympics Class Play or Assembly
and
Winter Olympics Guided Reading Plays
Set of *5:
1. 22nd Winter Olympics, Russia, 2014
2. A History of the Winter Olympics 1924 – 2014
3. Memorable Moments from Past Olympics
4. Winners and Record Breakers
5. What it takes to be a winner – this is a collection of 5 plays based on P.R.I.D.E. which stands for: POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE, RESPECT, INTELLIGENT CHOICES, DREAMS AND GOALS and EFFORT AND EDUCATION
Nelson Mandela Guided Reading Play (or Readers Theater).
6 speakers plus quiz. An in-depth discussion amongst the key 'players' in Mandela's life, raising many issues for further discussion among students.
This is one of a collection of 5 plays - Unit 20 Famous People of the 20th Century:
1. Martin Luther King 2. Nelson Mandela 3. Mahatma Gandhi 4. John Lennon 5. Prominent Women (Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Marie Curie, Mother Theresa, Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana)
Speakers:
Nelson Mandela
Winnie (second wife)
Desmond Tutu
P.W. Botha (Nationalist Party - hardliner)
F.W. de Klerk (Nationalist Party - moderate)
Nobel Peace Committee
Sample Text:
Mandela:
1994! What a year in South African history!
Winnie:
The year you became South Africa's first black President!
Botha:
The year the African National Congress won the election.
De Klerk:
The year millions lined up to vote with Nelson Mandela for the first time.
Winnie:
The year my husband said "We are moving from an era of resistance, division, oppression, turmoil and conflict and starting a new era of hope, reconciliation and nation-building. I sincerely hope that the mere casting of a vote ... will give hope to all South Africans."
Tutu:
And it did that all right! After all those years of injustice and suffering. At last the battle was won!
Also written by Sue Russell:
Black History:
• The Slave Trade
• Heroes of the Underground Railroad
• Amazing Women in the American Civil Rights Movement
• Martin Luther King
• Nelson Mandela
And
American Heroes:
• Heroes of the American War of Independence
• Heroes of the Underground Railroad
• Native American Heroes
• Heroes in Science and Space Exploration
• Heroes from Different Walks of Life (incl. children)
And
Amazing Women:
• From across the world 15th – 20th century
• From across the world 20th century
• In the American Women’s Suffrage Movement
• In the American Civil Rights Movement
• And First Ladies 31-35 (taken from First Ladies collection)
Chicken Licken Script
Cast of 8 (It is suggested the teacher takes the role of the narrator)
Duration: Around 5 minutes – before *the extension
This script covers the story of Chicken Licken and deals with the theme of over-reacting to a scary situation … such as an acorn landing on your head! It also refers to the need to think for yourself – not just following the crowd.
*The extension has been added to deal more directly with ‘fear’ as a theme. This is given comprehensive coverage in the KS II version of this play; but, as fear and anxiety are so prevalent at the moment, I thought it should be included even for those as young as KS I. Its inclusion is discretionary/down to the teacher – it could of course otherwise be used in the classroom as an additional resource.
LGBT Assembly
Cast of 30 – Easily adapted to smaller or larger class size.
Duration: Around 10 – 15 minutes.
This script, whilst giving two specific examples of victims of discrimination – Alan Turing and Harvey Milk – is a general celebration of diversity, stressing the importance of education in the fight against prejudice. It is suitable for primary school children and, as an ‘add-on’ gives a suggested list of discussion points to be gone through beforehand.
I fear I may have erred on the side of caution in writing this script – I have not given any ‘definitions of LGBT terms’ though I am happy to provide these as a supplement, if requested. But I hope I have delivered on the message that we should all work towards a ‘live and let live’ society - as prejudice and fear-free as possible.
Sample Text:
Child 13: Why cannot people be free to be who they are?
Child 14: Why cannot people be free to express themselves as they are?
Child 15: Fortunately, we live in increasingly enlightened times
Child 16: So that people need not be afraid of the kind of discrimination that leads to the loss of freedom and the loss of life.
Child 17: To live in fear is a terrible thing.
Child 18: We often hear of bullying. This can happen to adults just as much as to children.
Child 19: And the bullies are often the ones who are most frightened.
Narrator: How does that work?
Child 20: Prejudice is largely borne of ignorance. People feel threatened by things they don’t understand. They are afraid and lash out at whatever is beyond their comprehension.
Child 21: Nobody likes being taken out of their particular comfort zone. And that comfort zone is often based on familiarity. Understanding what is going on.
Narrator: So how do you think we should best tackle this problem?
Child 22: Through education. Through making differences acceptable and non-threatening.
Child 23: If we all accept it’s OK to be different then that’s half the battle.
Pinocchio Cast of 6
A story of redemption and self-discovery – with one small twist!
Script comes with synopsis of original tale, teaching input, discussion points and suggestions for further activities.
This script can be used for performance or, owing to its small cast size, as a guided reading script i.e. for a group of 6 within the classroom.
Also available in same format: Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella.
Pinocchio – cast of 30 (easily adaptable up or down) is also available – production of around 40 minutes depending on number of music suggestions used.
Cast of 6
Narrator
Pinocchio
Geppetto
Cricket
Cat and Fox
Duration: Around 10 - 15 minutes
Sample Text:
Narrator: Oh dear, why is it some folk really do have to learn the hard way?
Pinocchio: (Sighing) There’s no need to rub it in. I admit, I wasn’t the world’s fastest learner!
Geppetto: Ah, but you got there eventually
Cricket: (Interrupting) Eventually! Wow, but didn’t he just mega try our patience along the way!
Pinocchio: I know. I was a bit of a wooden top!
Cricket: I’ll say!
Geppetto: (Interrupting) No, no! He was a good boy underneath!
Narrator: Oh, there you go again, Geppetto! Making excuses for him!
Geppetto: Well, he was my son!
Cricket: Certainly ‘a chip off the old block’!
Pinocchio: (Angrily) Hey! Watch how you speak to my father!
Cricket: (Gasping) And what about everything you put him through!
Narrator: (Coughing) Ahem! For the benefit of those not in the know, perhaps we should give a little of the story, at this point?
Pinocchio: Not forgetting there are always two sides to a story!
Cricket: Or two versions, if you have anything to do with it! Think nose, is all I’m saying!