Teaching Resources

The children really enjoy performing the drama scripts, which are also great springboards for further fun activities. Here are some more suggestions for ways to use the texts.

Duologues

Highwayman and Scooter Kid:
Improvise
In pairs or small groups
  • The scooter kid takes the Highwayman home for tea and shows him round. What happens? Is there anything that might scare the Highwayman – a toaster? A pet? How would he react to new technology? What would he enjoy?
  • Improvise the scene with a partner. If you have a small group, one or two of you could be parents or maybe a little brother or sister.


Lion’s Den:
Write a duologue
In pairs
  • You have fallen into an animal enclosure and the animal is really pleased you came. It could be that they are very lonely and happy to have some company, or it could be that they are just very hungry.
  • Write the conversation with a partner: Which animal enclosure have you fallen into? Is the animal a meat-eater? Are they friendly?
  • Act out the scene in your pairs.


Rapunzel at the Hairdressers:
Write and draw
Whole group
  • The list of things that could get stuck in Rapunzel’s hair is endless! Make a list as a group.
  • Think of some funny ways these things got stuck in her hair in the first place. Do some drawings to go with your ideas.


Danny and Nipper:
Write a duologue
In pairs
  • A bully has to ask for help. Their kite is lodged in a tree or something has dropped down a well.
  • Make two versions of the scene; one where the bully gets what he/she wants and the other where something happens to stop the bully getting what they want.


Frog Prince at the Garden Centre:
Make a list
Small groups
  • A witch has put a spell on you. What is the spell? Has she turned you into something else? Has she changed your voice to a dog’s bark?
  • In small groups, think of a really wicked or funny spell to cast on someone. Then make a list of unusual spell-reversing equipment and where to get it from.


Beavils
Discussion
Whole group
  • Discuss the following questions as a group:
  1. When is it ever OK to lie?
  2. When was the last time you told a lie?
  3. What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?


Mermaid in the Fish and Chip Shop:
Persuade
In pairs
  • You go for a job interview as a mermaid/sea monster. Are you suitable?
  • In pairs, one of you as the mermaid/sea monster, one as the interviewer, improvise a scene. The interviewer must decide on what the job is and come up with some questions.
  • The mermaid/sea monster must persuade the interviewer that they are the right creature for the job.

Scout Camp:
Write a duologue
In pairs
  • Discuss in pairs or as a group: What are you scared of? What things do you find really creepy? Spiders? Shadows?
  • Write a duologue with a partner that includes one of these ideas and is set in a dark place. Is there really anything to be scared of in the end?
Mrs. Smith goes to the Doctors:
Write a duologue
In pairs
  • The Big Bad Wolf and Red Riding Hood meet in the forest but she is much scarier than the wolf. Write the duologue between Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. What does Red Riding Hood do?
  • Perform the duologue for the class. See if you can do it without your script.


The Burglar:
Hot Seat
Whole group
  • A strange burglar only burgles things that no one wants like empty crisp packets and worn out rubber bands. What is he doing with them? Think of some ideas on your own.
  • No one person must be the burglar and decide what unwanted thing he’s stealing and what he’s doing with the stolen goods.
  • The rest of class must ask the burglar ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions to work out what he’s stealing and what he’s doing with it. Really listen to the answers to try and work it out.


Cake Story:
Discussion
Whole group
  • How should how should 'the cake eater' be punished? Think of an unusual but suitable punishment.
  • Make a list of unusual but suitable punishments, and then discuss them as a group, as if you are in a meeting of experts on children.


Football Bully:
Write a duologue
In pairs
  • Two cats are having an argument on a wall. Choose names for them. Maybe their families have always argued.
  • What happens?
  • Write a duologue between the two angry cats.


Rescuing Spider:
Improvise
Follow-on activity from the activity in the book.
  • Improvise the scene of finding the treasure from the moment when you start to dig.
  • What happens when you find the treasure? Will you share it or fight over it?


Lion and Zebra:
Make a Map
Whole group
  • On your own - All the locks in the zoo are broken. Some of the animals aren’t even in cages at all but scattered in other parts of the zoo. Make a map of the zoo and write the phone call to the zookeeper with instructions for how to get animals safely back in cages and survive.
  • As a group – One of you is making the phone call and giving instructions and one of you is the panicked zookeeper. Everyone else pretend to be the escaped animals! Improvise this scene.


Doctor’s Appointment:
Write a duologue
In pairs
  • The vampire is about to go in and see the Doctor. The Pepperami isn’t working as well as it did, so the Doctor must prescribe the vampire something else.
  • Write a duologue with a partner and act out the scene. Remember that the vampire is a very dramatic character!
  • Perform your duologue for the group.