Readers Theatre for American History

Give students a "you are there" perspective on the unfolding of critical milestones, memorable circumstances, and colorful venues that have shaped the American experience. Arranged chronologically, these 24 readers theatre scripts put students in roles of selected historical figures where they can travel with a determined family along the Oregon Trail or to the moon with Neil Armstrong. Activity ideas and learning extensions follow each script.

ANTHONY D. FREDERICKS is Professor of Education, York College, York, Pennsylvania, and the author of more than 50 teacher resource books as well as 20 award-winning children's books.

Preface

ix

Introduction

xi

The Magic of Storytelling

xi

What Is Readers Theatre?

xii

Students As Storytellers

xii

What Is the Value of Readers Theatre?

xiii

Presentation Suggestions

xv

References

xx

PART 1 North America

Land and Early People

The First People of North America

3

(6)

Across the Bering Strait

3

(6)

Cliff Dwellers

9

(6)

A Day in Mesa Verde

9

(6)

The Vikings

15

(6)

Leif Eriksson Discovers Vinland

15

(6)

Columbus and the New World

21

(6)

Columbus Pleads His Case

21

(6)

European Explorations

27

(10)

An Imaginary Discussion

27

(10)

PART 2 The Beginnings of a New Nation

The 1600s and 1700s

The New England Colonies

37

(8)

The Mayflower Compact

37

(8)

The Spanish Colonies

45

(5)

Mission San Juan Capistrano

45

(5)

A Declaration of Independence

50

(7)

A Conversation with Thomas Jefferson

50

(7)

A New Constitution

57

(8)

The Delegates Speak Out

57

(8)

PART 3 The Nation Changes

The 19th Century

The Moving Frontier

65

(6)

With the McMillans on the Oregon Trail

65

(6)

Conflict Between North and South

71

(7)

One Day in Gettysburg

71

(7)

The Last Western Frontier

78

(6)

Driving the Final Spike

78

(6)

The Immigrants

84

(7)

The Shapiros' New Adventure

84

(7)

The Industrial Revolution

91

(10)

Long Hours, Long Days

91

(10)

PART 4 New Directions

The 20th Century

The United States and World War I

101

(7)

March 1917: In a Coffee Shop

101

(7)

The Nineteenth Amendment

108

(5)

A Right to Vote

108

(5)

The Great Depression

113

(5)

A Bowl of Soup, a Piece of Bread

113

(5)

World War II

118

(6)

December 7,1941: Aboard the USS Arizona

118

(6)

Equal Rights for All

124

(9)

December 1,1955: Montgomery, Alabama

124

(9)

PART 5 Recent History, Recent Challenges

The 20th and 21st Centuries

Beyond the Earth

133

(7)

Eight Days, Three Hours, and Eighteen Minutes

133

(7)

The Vietnam War

140

(7)

Two Soldiers: Talking, Dying

140

(7)

Women's Rights

147

(5)

Equal Rights Amendment

147

(5)

The Environment

152

(6)

Air to Breathe, Water to Drink

152

(6)

The 21st Century

158

(7)

What's Ahead?

158

(7)

Resources

165

(4)

More Teacher Resources

169

(4)

Anthony D. Fredericks

About the Author

173

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Readers Theatre for American History

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials