Readers Theatre for American History

by Fredericks, Anthony D.

• ISBN13: 9781563088605
• ISBN10: 1563088606
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-15
• Publisher: Teacher Ideas Pr

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

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