Lesson Plan Ideas: Four Great Plays for Children

Getting children to start reading at a young age can be a real challenge. A great way to get elementary-aged children interested in reading is by staging or reading a play. This is something that doesn't have to just go on in school. A fun activity for families, especially first-time parents, is to purchase three copies of the same script, and read one scene per night with each family member as a character. Since scripts can be purchased for around $5 (or even less) a piece, this is an inexpensive and fun activity for families.

Teachers can put a twist on this activity by selecting a play with more people, as well as a message for the students. Plays based on Aesop's fables are absolutely perfect for this. Baker's Plays is a perfect resource for plays such as these.

The Lion & The Mouse
Tess is a fearless mouse looking for an adventure. When her quest for an adventure leads her into a lion's cave, Tess finds herself at the mercy of Balthazar the lion. Rather than eating her for dinner, Balthazar decides to become friends with Tess. When Balthazar finds himself in trouble, it's Tess to the rescue! Balthazar and Tess both learn valuable lessons in this story. Tess learns not to go off by herself. Balthazar learns not to judge someone by their size. Most of all, both learn the true meaning of friendship. Based on one of Aesop's fables, The Lion and The Mouse teaches children the valuable lesson of judging people, letting your parents know where you are, and the true meaning of friendship. Only 15 pages long, The Lovesick Cat is a brief, yet fun and educational play for children ages 5 - 9. Only three actors are required for this play: Tess, Balthazar and the Hunter. The entire story takes place in different locations in the forest. Each character has just one costume. Because of the minimal production requirements, this makes an excellent play for any group to perform, either formally or informally.

The Lovesick Cat
Daisy is a cat in love with her owner, Thaddeus. Daisy would like nothing more than to become a real girl, marry Thaddeus, and live happily ever after. With the help of Melinda the Fairy, Daisy gets her deepest wish, but not without learning a lesson. Melinda teaches Daisy that someone can change the way they look on the outside, but not how they "look" on the inside. Based on one of Aesop's fables, The Lovesick Cat teaches children the valuable lesson of being happy with who they are, inside and out. Only 13 pages long, The Lovesick Cat is a brief, yet fun and educational play for children ages 5 - 9. Only three actors are required for this play: Thaddeus, Daisy, and Melinda. The entire story takes place inside of a house. The costumes are simple. Because of the minimal production requirements, this makes an excellent play for any group to perform, either formally or informally.

The Tortoise & The Hare
Flash the Hare wants to prove that he is the fastest animal in the forest. He only has one more forest animal to beat in a race so he can claim his title: Theodore the Tortoise. Flash is so confident that he can beat Theodore that he doesn't prepare for the race. Furthermore, he brags to anyone who will listen that he is going to beat Theo. You can imagine Flash's embarrassment when Theo beats him in the race in front of all of the other forest animals. Flash learns that it isn't smart to brag or make fun of others. Theo learns that believing in himself is also very important. Based on one of Aesop's fables, The Tortoise & The Hare teaches children the importance of not bragging, not underestimating someone, and believing in their own abilities. Only 23 pages long, The Tortoise & The Hare is a brief, yet fun and educational play for children ages 5 - 9. There is a great deal of audience participation in this play, which keeps the audience involved and interested. There are 10 main roles with doubling possible. It is an excellent play for a class, as the children without roles can play extra forest animals. The entire story takes place in the woods. During one scene, the action takes place in front of the curtains. Because of the minimal production requirements, this makes an excellent play for any group to perform, either formally or informally.

The Woodsmen & The Fairy
Henry is a simple and happy woodsman. Every day, he chops trees down and sells them at the market. One day, his friend Jim startles him and Henry drops his axe into a pond. Lily, the water fairy of the pond, appears and retrieves Henry's axe. She gives Henry a test to find out his honesty, and Henry passes with flying colors. As a reward for telling the truth, Lily gives Henry two ornate axes. Jim finds out about Henry's good fortune, and seeks Lily for his own gain. He drops his axe in the same pond, and Lily appears. Lily gives Jim the same test to find out how honest he is, and Jim fails miserably. To punish him for lying, Lily turns Jim into a tree. Jim finally learns the importance of telling the truth and being honest, and becomes a man once again. Based on one of Aesop's fables, The Woodsmen & The Fairy teaches children the importance of being honest and telling the truth. Only 21 pages long, The Woodsmen & The Fairy is a brief, yet fun and educational play for children ages 5 - 9. There is a great deal of audience participation in this play, which keeps the audience involved and interested. Only three actors are required for this play: Jim, Lily, and Henry. The entire story takes place in one area of the woods. During one scene, the action takes place in front of the curtains. The costumes are simple. Because of the minimal production requirements, this makes an excellent play for any group to perform, either formally or informally.