About the store
Having taught over 10 years, I find I LOVE to teach in very rural areas. I am now on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation teaching early elementary. Go BRAVES!
My specialty is working with students who struggle to read or have behaviors that make learning a challenge.
I've written children's and young adult books as well as poetry but have not found myself an agent yet to help publish them.
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A Modern-Day Rapunzel Story - TOTALLY Twisted Fairy Tales - Small Group R.T.
This small group reader's theater was written for 3 students. Two parts are for girls and one part is for a boy. The story is about Rapunzel who is a normal girl with an unusual name. Prince, a normal boy with a dog's name, thinks he is living a fairy tale and comes to rescue Rapunzel. Rapunzel thinks he is crazy. There is a short writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.This reader's theater is also in my Twisted Tales pack. I write small group reader's theaters so
3rd - 6th, Adult Education
Drama, Literature, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+18
Literal Lizzy's Trip to the Store - Small Group Reader's Theater
This small group reader's theater is for three students. In this script, we were examining literal phrases. That is, when everything is taken to mean exactly what is said. Literal Lizzy only understands things in this way. We then used this Reader's Theater to begin a study on homonyms, homophones, and homographs. I use reader's theaters to encourage my students to practice fluency. It is a fun way to do something that they need. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end of the scr
2nd - 6th, Adult Education
Drama, English Language Arts, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.2.4
, RF.2.4a
, RF.2.4b
+16
The Tomato Tornado - Small Group Reader's Theater for Safety
This is small group reader's theater is for three students. for small groups. The object is to improve fluency while teaching tornado safety! Mabel thinks that she and the others are supposed to be talking to the class about tomatoes, but they are supposed to be doing TORNADOES. Matt and Nancy correct her and help lead the discussion. It teaches tornado safety as well as spreading some humor about the situation. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond
3rd - 10th, Adult Education
Drama, Science, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+16
Jackie Robinson - The Man Who Opened the Door- Small Group Reader's Theater
This is a Reader's Theater written for 4 students. They can be either boys or girls or both. It discusses Jackie Robinson and his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The focus is on team support. In the script, a kid is getting ready to go see a baseball game and is really excited. His friends are NOT that familiar with baseball but want to know what his/her favorite part is. When the kid tells them that it is watching the teams work together and show support, the other kids are surprised. They a
3rd - 8th, Adult Education
Character Education, Reading, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+14
An Interview with the Easter Bunny - Small Group Reader's Theater for Easter
This reader's theater is for a small group of three students. It was written for Easter. In the script, there are only a few days left until Easter but two reporters have been granted an interview. However, as they talk with the Easter Bunny, it becomes clear that all he thinks about is eggs and all he can say begins with EGGS. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.If you are looking for a version of this in Spanish, please visit LosDosMaestros!I
3rd - 10th, Adult Education
Drama, Reading, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RL.7.10
, RF.4.4
+11
Chinye - A West African Cinderella Story - Small Group Reader's Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 4 - 7 students. I have each narrator also take a smaller part. This is the West African version of Cinderella. In the script, Chinye lives with her father, stepmother, and stepsister. The stepmother and stepsister hate her and make her do all the hard chores. The stepmother decides she wants to kill Chinye so she sends her to get water in the jungle at night. The animals do not kill her though and one, a warthog, leads her to a tiny hut. An old woman lives there and
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Reading, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.3.10
, RL.4.10
, RL.5.10
+19
The Right to Vote - Small Group Reader's Theater
This small group reader's theater is for 4 students. At least one needs to be a girl. The name says it all. The Right to Vote. It examines who could vote in colonial times and discusses when they changed. It also tries to convince students that the privilege of voting is just that - a privilege that should not be ignored or undervalued. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.I wrote this Reader's Theater for Constitution Day. I hope that you find i
3rd - 7th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, U.S. History
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+14
Coyote and The Rolling Stone - Small Group Reader's Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 3 students. It is based on a Goshute tale of how Coyote did NOT listen to his brother. I no longer teach on the Navajo Indian Reservation but my students still LOVE Coyote tales. We used this one to compare and contrast Navajo Coyote tales with other tribes. This Reader's Theater is only 5 pages and a fairly quick and easy read. In the script, Coyote does NOT believe stones can chase him and will NOT listen to his brother’s warning. When the stone comes, will someone
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Native Americans, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+17
Rubric for Reader'sTheater
This is the rubric I use to score the students' Reader's Theater performances each week. They are worth a total of 100 points. 70 points for their performance and 30 for watching the others and reflecting upon what happened. The students are given their own copy so that they know EXACTLY how I grade their performance and what I want. There are no surprises. My name is Melanie Whitesides and I have used my rubric for a year and a half. It is important to let them know what is expected. If you wa
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, English Language Arts, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.10
, CCRA.SL.6
, CCRA.L.6
COYOTE TALES - How Coyote Got His Name - A Small Group Reader's Theater
This is a Native American tale about how Coyote got his name. This is for 5 to 9 students. He features prominently in a lot of stories of the Navajo and in many other tribes. I first saw this one online but have heard it from our Navajo teacher since. In the script, the animals all want to have a name of their very own. They ask Old Man to give them one and he tells them to arrive at dawn. Coyote is determined to be first by staying up all night. Just before dawn he falls asleep and awakens aro
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Native Americans, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+17
Perimeter, Area, and Volume - Oh My! - Small Group Reader's Theater for Math
This is a small group reader's theater. I use this script to introduce perimeter, area, and volume as well as to review the subject with my students. It was written for four students. The idea of this reader's theater is to reinforce the formulas used to find each of the equations as well as to teach and practice the language involved. It is just one more way to tie Language Arts together with Math. Math has a language all its own and it is very important to find ways to practice it and use it
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Measurement, Short Stories
CCSS
4.MD.A.3
, 5.MD.C.3
, 5.MD.C.3a
+22
Little Miss Sure Shot - The Tale of Annie Oakley - Small Group Reader's Theater
This is a small group reader's theater about Annie Oakley. It is for 4 girls but could easily be adjusted to include boys. I recommend it for Women's History Month. This is one tall tale that is mostly true. It takes place with girls from the modern day being able to interview Annie. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.I write small group reader's theaters so students will work better in centers and to avoid having long wait times between stu
3rd - 6th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, U.S. History
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+16
Leprechauns, Rainbows, and Saint Patrick's Day - Small Group Reader's Theater
This is a small group readers theater for 4 people. It is based on the way Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated. Students are always curious about how other people celebrate the same holiday. This reader's theater is meant to teach them a little more about it. In the script, It is Saint Patrick’s Day and the students see a rainbow. They want to know if they should go and try to get the leprechauns gold at the end of that rainbow and begin a discussion about what is true and not true on Saint Patric
3rd - 9th, Adult Education
Drama, Reading, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+13
Ten Things I Am Thankful For - Small Group Reader's Theater for Thanksgiving!
This reader's theater was written for a small group of 4. It was written to be used in November for Thanksgiving. In the script, Susan has to create a list for an assignment in writing. The title is Ten Things I’m Thankful For. They have to be things she can describe and go into detail about as well as say why they are important. Susan put off doing the assignment because she thought it was easy and ran out of time but her friends help her to come up with a list. While they are creating it, the
3rd - 6th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+17
The Lion and the Mouse - Small Group Readers' Theater by Aesop
This is a small group reader's theater is for 3 students. It is based on Aesop's tale. Aesop's tales are a great way to teach students how to look for lessons or morals! Aesop's tales are a great way to teach students how to look for lessons or morals! The moral of the fable is 'Little friends might turn out to be great friends.' In the script, The Mouse was hurrying home one day and came across the Lion. He woke up and caught her and was about to eat her but the Mouse begged him for her life.
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, Writing
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+13
The Baker's Dozen - Small Group Reader's Theater
This is a small group reader's theater. It was written for five students. It is made for a 4th grade reading level or higher but my 3rd graders DID perform it. They needed extra help and practice time. In the story, Baker 1 is a poor but kind baker who is slowly going out of business. Baker 2 is a rich, greedy, and selfish person who is looking forward to being the only baker in town. But baker 1 has just invented sugar cookies in time for Valentine’s Day. When he gets the idea to create a Bake
3rd - 8th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RL.7.10
, RF.4.4
+14
6 Scripts - Fun Small Group Reader's Theaters for First Grade Level Readers
This group of scripts was written for my lower level reading groups. They are all on a 1st grade level. The number of characters goes from 3 to 5. Some are funny, some tell a story, and all encourage the struggling reader to read out loud. The problem I find with most scripts written on a lower level is that they can be boring and have too many characters. I have written these in order to address those issues. Three of them are fairy tales. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end
1st - 3rd, Adult Education
Drama, For All Subjects, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.1.4
, RF.1.4a
, RF.1.4b
+15
Stranger Danger - Small Group Readers' Theater for Character Education
This is a small group reader's theater is for 3 students. In the script, #1 knows that some strangers can be dangerous and so, in order to protect them self, every time they are around strangers they run screaming Stranger Danger. #2 and #3 help to explain the three rules that help keep you safe when there are strangers around so you don’t have to yell all the time. They also discuss WHEN yelling and asking for help would be a good idea. Thanks to them, #1, no longer has to run around shouting
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, Social Emotional Learning
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+14
The Ant & the Grasshopper a Fable by Aesop - Small Group Readers' Theater
This is a small group reader's theater is for 3 students. It is based on Aesop's tale. Aesop's tales are a great way to teach students how to look for lessons or morals! The moral of the fable is 'There is a Time to Work and a Time to Play.' In the script, the Ant is working hard to build up his supply of food for winter. The grasshopper spends every day playing his fiddle and never working. The Ant warns the Grasshopper that he better be careful or he won’t have any food for winter. The Grass
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+13
The Princess and the Pea - Small Group Readers' Theater
This is a small group reader's theater is for 4 students. In the script - A queen wants only the best for her son the prince. Now that he is old enough this means she wants a REAL princess for him. A real princess is beautiful, smart, and sensitive. The prince has traveled everywhere looking for one but every princess he meets has something wrong. Then, there is a dark and stormy night and a girl shows up. She claims to be a true princess and the queen decides to test her. She puts a pea under
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, Writing
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+16
Showing 1-20 of 128 results
About the store
Experience
Having taught over 10 years, I find I LOVE to teach in very rural areas. I am now on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation teaching early elementary. Go BRAVES!
My specialty is working with students who struggle to read or have behaviors that make learning a challenge.
I've written children's and young adult books as well as poetry but have not found myself an agent yet to help publish them.
Teaching style
I really believe in the Piaget approach along with the 7 different learning styles. I try to incorporate 3 styles at a time into my lessons to enhance learning. I also focus on high engagement and have yet to follow my lesson plan to the 'T' because of this.
Thus showing how lessons are 'in the moment' and adjust that way to my students.
One of my favorite things is getting rid of grading papers and switching to a quick check at the end of the lesson. Within 3-5 minutes and usually 3 questions, I can identify and mark where each student is and then adjust the lesson for the next day accordingly. Ie. adding more reteach or extensions etc. Yes, there are still papers selected to go into a folder for them to show their parents to celebrate and demonstrate their own success but they are more intentionally selected and made.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Two Americorps tours of duty, 'Driven to Teach' award, National Poet Society Recognition, etc.
Teacher of the Year at T.O. Smith Elementary in Ogden Utah. 2015
My own education history
Two Bachelors Degrees. One in Education and one in Technical Writing.
Additional biographical information
I now live on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Owyhee Nevada. We still miss our dear friends from Monument Valley. If you, too, like teaching in the trenches and want to jump out of the frying pan into the fire, they are a place to go. Both have a desperate need for committed teachers. I have 7 children, am learning (slowly) Spanish, Navajo, and Sign Language, and I love to Crochet!
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