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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The Erosion Explosion - Small Group Reader's Theater
This is a reader's theater for three students. It is about erosion. One of the student's did not listen to their teacher and thinks they are going to study an explosion. We used it in our intervention group to introduce a science topic that we were studying --- erosion. There is a short writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.I use reader's theaters to encourage my students to practice fluency. It is a fun way to do something that they need. Most of my scripts are i
5th - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Earth Sciences, Short Stories
CCSS
CCRA.R.10
, CCRA.W.10
, CCRA.SL.1
+4
COYOTE TALES - Coyote and The Lizards Small Group Readers' Theater
This reader's theater was written for a group of 7 students but can be condensed to 5. It is based on a Navajo tale about Coyote. In the script, Coyote meets up with the lizards and wants to play games with them. He will NOT listen to the lizards when they warn him about their game though which is typical of coyote. I found this story online but have since heard it from the Navajo Language teacher. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.I write sm
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+17
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
Tad Saves Jack - The Story of the First Presidentially Pardoned Turkey
This Reader's Theater is my favorite November/Thanksgiving script! It was written for a small group of 4 students. The title explains it all. This true story is about one of my favorite Thanksgiving events! In the script, President Lincoln was given a turkey to be eaten for Christmas dinner. Tad Lincoln adopted it as a pet, named him Jack, and taught it to follow him around the White House grounds. The Hosts of the Little Known Historical Facts Show present the story of how the turkey Jack mana
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, U.S. History
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
+13
How the Camel Got His Hump - Just So - Small Group Readers' Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 3 - 6 students. It is a Just-So story. In the script, When the world was new animals were beginning to work for Man. Camel did not want to work for Man so it went to live in the desert. The other animals went to visit Camel and ask it to come and work but all it would ever say was, ‘Humph!’ The animals told Man what Camel said and then Man told them that they were going to have to work harder because Camel wouldn’t. They got angry and told the Djinn of all the desert
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Sight Words
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+9
Also included in: Just So Stories - Bundle of Small Group Readers' Theaters
Hansel & Gretel - Totally TWISTED Fairy Tales for Small Group Reader's Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 4 students. The theme is Hansel and Gretel but things don't happen the way they are said to in the original story. In the script, Hansel and Gretel have a step-mother and they are very poor. Their step-mother decides that life would be easier without them and leads them into the forest to get rid of them. That is where things begin to differ from the original. The stepmother is the one who never comes out of the forest. Hansel and Gretel find a picnic basket full of
4th - 10th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
+14
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
Clever Coyote - Coyote Tales - Native American Small Group Reader's Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 4 students. It is a Comanche legend about how clever coyote saved the buffalo. In the script, A long time ago a monster came and stole all the buffalo overnight. He took them and locked them up in his mountain cave. Coyote called all animals and people together to discuss what they should do. They came up with a plan to give a pet to the small boy who lived with the monster and, at the right time, the pet would set the buffalo free. They sent a mouse and then a bird
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+12
The Boston Tea Party - Historical Small Group Readers' Theater
This script was written for 4 students. It was written to teach or reinforce a lesson about the Boston Tea Party of 1773. In the script, The students are having a test today on the Boston Tea Party. Everyone has studied except Alex. He didn’t think he needed to because he already knew about regular tea parties. But the Boston Tea Party was a protest by the colonies against the British Tea Act and NOT a real tea party. Chad, Rose, and Sarah tell him all about it and how the Boston Tea Party led
5th - 10th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, U.S. History
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+12
Strong Wind - A Native American Cinderella Story - Small Group Readers' Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 4 students. This is the Native American version of Cinderella. In the script, Strong Wind is a great warrior who has the power to make himself invisible. When a girl wants to be his wife she is tested by Strong Wind’s sister. Many try to pass the test but none are honest. In the same village live three daughters of a great chief. The two older daughters are jealous and cruel to their little sister. When they try to become Strong Wind’s wife, they both fail the test.
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.3.4
, RF.3.4a
, RF.3.4b
+13
The REAL Story of Uncle Sam - Patriotic Readers' Theater for Small Groups
This Reader's Theater was written for a small group of 3 students. It is about who the real Uncle Sam was and how he came to be used to represent America. In the script, the hosts of the Minutes in History Show are going to interview Sam Wilson. The man is in Historical Mode and uses historical facts to answer questions. This way, everyone can hear the true story of who Uncle Sam was. It turns out that the real Uncle Sam was a meat packer from Troy, New York. Everyone discusses how his name cam
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Short Stories, U.S. History
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RL.7.10
, RF.5.4
+10
Rocks Rock! - A Closer Look at the Rock Cycle - Small Group Readers' Theater
This is a small group reader's theater is for 4 students. This ties science into reading and is a great way to do two things at the same time. This script was intended to either introduce or reinforce a lesson on the rock cycle. In the script - The class is supposed to go on a field trip today. Their teacher told them it was going to be to a rock show. Daniel thought rock show meant rock concert as in guitars and rock stars. He is VERY disappointed to hear it is to look at rocks and minerals. H
4th - 10th, Adult Education
Drama, Earth Sciences, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+11
The Girl Who Was Crazy for Candy Corn - Small Group Reader's Theater
This reader's theater was written for a small group of 4 students. It is about the food pyramid as well as candy corn. In the script, Nevaeh loves candy corn. She waits all year so that she can eat them at Halloween and Thanksgiving. This year Nevaeh has decided to eat nothing but candy corn. She is doing this when her friends, Nate and Natalie, notice that she looks tired and sick. They try to talk to her about eating something else but Nevaeh won’t listen. Then Mrs. Whitesides gives Nevaeh a c
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Classroom Community, Drama, Sight Words
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+12
The History of Cinco de Mayo - Small Group Readers' Theater
This script was written for 4 students. It was written to teach or reinforce a lesson about Cinco de Mayo. In the script, Sofia is excited because her mom has told her they will be going to a Cinco de Mayo party and she might even let her stay home from school. Michael doesn’t think that is very fair and Cindy thinks that Cinco de Mayo is about Mexico’s Independence but José explains that it is about an amazing battle that took place when France invaded Mexico. Sofia helps to fill in some of the
5th - 10th, Adult Education
Drama, Latino and Hispanic Studies, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.3.10
, RL.4.10
, RL.5.10
+15
Drinking Recycled Water A.K.A. - The Water Cycle - Small Group Readers' Theater
This is a small group reader's theater is for 4 students. This ties science into reading and is a great way to do two things at the same time. This script was intended to introduce or remind students of the water cycle. In the script - It is a hot day and Kenyon is drinking his water bottle when two classmates remind him just how old the water on the planet is and how the water is recycled using the water cycle. They discuss how water is able to stay so clean despite repeated use. At first Keny
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Earth Sciences, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+9
Valentines Day Pack: Small Group Reader's Theaters
My name is Melanie Whitesides and one of the things I am passionate about is Small Group Reader's Theater. It is a fun way for my students to improve on their fluency. In a world where reading is pushed so hard on students that many are losing their love of reading it is IMPORTANT to give them opportunities to read that are fun. Reader's Theater does this. In this package I have placed 7 Reader's Theaters. Each one has been written for Valentine's Day but can be formed at any time. The names of
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Classroom Community, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
+13
What it takes to be ALL IN for Christ! - Small Group Religious Readers' Theater
This is a religious reader's theater intended for a small group of 4 students.This script deals with how a person can know when they are living for Christ. In the script, Elijah is going on a mission’s trip and his friends want to know about it. When he says he’s ALL IN - they ask him to explain just what he means. Elijah tells them that it is a little like poker when you put everything on the line for what you believe. Elijah goes on to say that the three signs you are living a Christian life
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Drama, Religion, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.5.4
, RF.5.4a
, RF.5.4b
+8
What Is Black Friday? - Thanksgiving Small Group Reader's Theater
This reader's theater was written for a small group of 4 students. It is about Black Friday which is the day after Thanksgiving. In the script, Dan and his friends are looking forward to Thanksgiving break but Dan thinks the reason why the Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday because it is unlucky. Janet and Jacky set him straight and explain to Dan and Trevor why it is called Black Friday. There is a small writing/discussion prompt at the end for your students to respond to.If you
4th - 8th, Adult Education
Drama, Reading, U.S. History
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
+13
Coyote, Buzzard, and Young Buffalo - Native American Small Group Readers Theater
This Reader's Theater is for 4 - 7 students. Some parts are small so I usually use 4 students and have them double up. It is a Navajo tell about Coyote. In the script, Coyote has grown old and Buzzard is waiting for him to die so he can eat him. Coyote goes to Buffalo to ask him to share his youth and power. Buffalo doesn’t like Coyote but feels sorry for him so he gives him some youth. He won’t give Coyote power though. Coyote is turned into a buffalo with a coyote tail. He is warned he has no
5th - 10th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
, RF.4.4b
+9
A Tale of Two Friends and a Bear - 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! The moral of the fable is 'misfortune is the test of true friendship.' In the script, two friends are traveling along and discussing what makes a best friend and whether they are when a bear attacks. The first friend climbs a tree selfishly thinking only about their own safety. The second friend is left to fend off the bear al
4th - 12th, Adult Education
Character Education, Drama, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.6.10
, RF.4.4
, RF.4.4a
+11
Showing 1-20 of 52 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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