The First Thanksgiving Reader’s Theater Characters: Narrator 1 Narrator 2 Narrator 3 Narrator 4 Narrator 5 Narrator 6 Squanto Englishman Pilgrim1 Englishman Pilgrim2 The First Thanksgiving Adapted by Chrissy Beltran Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
Teacher Tips Page • This script is an adaptation of the book The First Thanksgiving. • Students can be paired to read the parts or the class may be divided into two groups. There are nine parts. • Each student needs a copy of the script. These can also be put on file folders and laminated to make a class set for reuse. • Assign parts: this could be done based on ability; longer parts to more able readers, or randomly, depending on your group of students. • It is helpful for students to highlight their lines. • Model reading with fluency: phrasing, expression, emotion. • Students should practice reading the script all the way through several times to practice reading with the appropriate voice. • Recording the scripts can be useful for students to evaluate their performance. I have recorded the readings and had students listen to them as a class. They write down things they heard people do well and things that could be improved for the next time.
Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
Name: ___________________ The First Thanksgiving Adapted to a Reader’s Theatre Script Parts: Narrator 1, Narrator 2, Narrator 3, Narrator 4, Narrator 5, Narrator 6, Squanto, Englishman/Pilgrim 1, Englishman/Pilgrim 2 Narrator 1: This is a tale about two very different perspectives. Narrator 2: On one side is Squanto, a Native American who was stolen from his home by Englishmen. Narrator 3: On the other side are the Pilgrims, who escaped from King James I so they would be able to believe in their own religion. Narrator 4: These two different sides came together once, in a time so long ago that only the rocks remember. Narrator 5: Our story begins with Plymouth Rock, a huge boulder surrounded by a forest. Narrator 6: A tribe lived there; called Wampanoag, the People of the Dawn. Squanto: We planted corn, beans, squash, and pumpkins. We hunted deer and turkey and fished the sea and the freshwater streams. Every year we gave thanks for these gifts to Mother Earth at the Green Corn Dance, which lasted many days. Narrator 3: In the early 1600s, Englishmen visited their shores. These men sailed in ships with butterfly wings, killed with guns, and kidnapped Wampanoag men for slaves. Native American 1: We became afraid of the white men. Englishman: One spring morning, we Englishmen sailed into the cove and tricked seventeen of the Wampanoag men into our ship. Then we sailed away. Squanto: I am Squanto. I was trapped on the ship and taken to New England. Englishman: We sold the men into slavery. Squanto was sold to an Englishman like me. Squanto: After many years of slavery, in 1619, I was able to return home to my village. But my return was not jubilant. My village was deserted. All of my people were dead from a European plague. Narrator 1: Squanto was full of grief. He finally joined another tribe nearby.
Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
Narrator 2: Back in England, King James I demanded that everyone believe in the same religion, or leave England. Narrator 3: A group of people called the Puritans refused to obey. Pilgrim 1: We believed we had the right to worship whomever we believe in. We called ourselves “Pilgrims.” Pilgrim 2: We fled to the New World, America, which we believed to be full of “savages.” Narrator 4: The Mayflower was the only ship that would be able to cross the ocean. Narrator 5: On September 6, 1620, one hundred two men, women, and children and their furniture, hens, pigs, dogs, and nine cats crowded aboard that small ship. Pilgrim 1: We were crowded below the deck, and we suffered terrible seasickness. Pilgrim 2: On December 11, 1620, the Pilgrims in the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. Narrator 6: The Pilgrims finally had a home. Narrator 1: But when winter stuck violently, the Pilgrims had to stop building their houses and live on the Mayflower. Pilgrim 1: We huddled in blankets and layers and layers of clothes. Pilgrim 2:We only had five kernels of Indian corn to eat a day. Narrator 2: Eight pilgrims died in January, Narrator 3: seventeen in February, Narrator 4: and thirteen in March. Narrator 5: When spring arrived, only fifty-seven Pilgrims and half the crew had survived. Seventeen were children. Pilgrim 1: There were few of us left, but we worked hard to survive. Pilgrim 2: We planted peas, wheat, and barley. We also scouted for Indians. Narrator 6: But the Pilgrims did not meet any “savages.” Pilgrim 1: Then, one day, when the birds were trilling and the leaves were swelling, we were shocked to see a tall, handsome Indian come striding into Plymouth! Pilgrim 2: At first, we were scared, but then, he raised his hand and said, “Welcome, Englishmen.” He spoke English! Pilgrim 1: He was friendly and dignified.
Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
Narrator 1: The next week, the Indian returned with Squanto and the leader of the tribe.. Narrator 2: Squanto interpreted while the tribe leader and the Pilgrims created a peace treaty. Squanto: Then I decided to stay at Plymouth. I could see that the Pilgrims did not know how to survive in the New World. They could barely catch enough fish for their colony, so I taught them how to fish with nets, and I took them to waters where cod and salmon were abundant. Pilgrim 2: Then, in late May, when the oak leaves were as big as his thumb, Squanto taught us to plant beans, corn, pumpkin, and squash, just like the Wampanoag tribe had done. Pilgrim 1: Then he showed us the leaf nests of the squirrels, the hideouts of skunks and raccoons, and the turkey that dwelled in the open forests. Narrator 3: Squanto showed the Pilgrims how to survive in the New World. Narrator 4: He gave them the tools they needed to live in this different land. Narrator 5: Because of Squanto’s help, the harvest of 1621 was bounteous beyond the most hope-filled dreams of the Pilgrims. Narrator 6: Corn, beans, pumpkins, wheat, and barley spilled from baskets. Narrator 1: Larders were stacked with dried venison, salmon, herring, cod, and duck. Narrator 2: Racks of wild berries lay during in the sun. Narrator 3: The chickens laid eggs abundantly and the cats grew fat on field mice. Pilgrims: It was time to celebrate! The terrible winter was done. The suffering was past. Narrator 4: The new governor, William Bradford, asked Squanto to invite a few of his friends to a feast. Narrator 5: Bradford sent out men to shoot turkeys and ducks. Narrator 6: The women baked bread. Narrator 1: Boards were set on barrels, covered with cloth, and placed in the middle of the only street in Plymouth. Narrator 2: Squanto’s friends arrived on the day of the feast with five deer and many turkeys. Instead of a few friends, Narrator 3: he brought ninety!
Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
Pilgrims: At first we were shocked! Then, we went right back to work. We baked more bread, cooked more vegetables, and stuffed more turkeys! Squanto: For three days, the Pilgrims and the Indians feasted, played games, and shot guns and arrows. Pilgrims: It was pure celebration! Pilgrims & Squanto: We didn’t know what a tradition we had begun! Pilgrims: We called our celebration a Harvest Feast. Squanto: We called it a Green Corn Dance. Narrator 4: Now it is called, The First Thanksgiving! Narrator 5: In the years that followed, President George Washington decided to have the first national Thanksgiving day, Narrator 6: and President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a holiday of “thanksgiving and praise.” Narrator 1: Today, it is still a harvest festival and Green Corn Dance, and it is more than that. Narrator 2: Thanksgiving is a special day, on which we take time to appreciate what we have, whether that is Narrator 3: family Narrator 4: friends Narrator 5: pets Narrator 6: education Pilgrims & Squanto: opportunity Narrator 1: or food to eat. All: We are thankful!
Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
Acknowledgements Thank you for downloading “The First Thanksgiving: Reader’s Theater Adaptation”! I hope this document helps you in your classroom. For more documents and teaching ideas, visit my blog at http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com, my TPT store: Chrissy Beltran, or email me at
[email protected]. Follow my store for updates on free and affordable teaching products, such as Fairy Tale Math: Reader’s Theater Pack! Happy Teaching! Fonts by Kevin & Amanda Clipart by Melonheadz
Chrissy Beltran: 2012: http://buzzingwithmsb.blogspot.com
