Ghostbusters 1984 Reader's Theatre Script -Rubric & Questions

Ray Stanz

Are you troubled by strange noises in the night?

Egon Spengler

Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic?

Peter Venkman

Have you ever seen a spook, specter, or ghost?

Dana frowned at the television.

Ray Stanz

If the answer is yes, then don’t wait another minute. Pick up your phone and call the professionals.

Ray Stanz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler

Ghostbusters!

Ray Stanz

Our courteous and efficient staff is on call twenty-four hours a day to serve your supernatural elimination needs.

The Ghostbusters pointed at Dana.

Ray Stanz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler

We’re ready to believe you!

Included in the Ghostbusters Reader's Theatre Unit:

78 page script divided among 6 chapters

45 metacognitive questions

Reader's Theatre Evaluations based on 4 levels and 5 criteria.

Student Success Criteria

Student Friendly Goals

Teacher's Reader's Theatre Checklist

Chapter 1: Something Strange

10 pages featuring 8 characters + the narrator

Chapter 2: The First Customer

7 pages featuring 6 characters + the narrator

Chapter 3: The Sedgewick Hotel

16 pages featuring 14 characters + the narrator

Chapter 4: The Key Master and the Gatekeeper

13 pages featuring 11 characters + the narrator

Chapter 5: Spook Central

8 pages featuring 9 characters + the narrator

Chapter 6: Showdown with Gozer

17 pages featuring 14 characters + the narrator

Ghostbusters 1984 synopsis:

After the members of a team of parapsychologists (Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Ray Stanz & Dr. Peter Venkman) lose their cushy positions at a university in New York City, they decide to become "ghostbusters" to wage a high-tech battle with the supernatural for money. They stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, a doorway that will release evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters must now save New York from complete destruction from Gozer the traveler.

Certify your students to bust the supernatural with this Ghostbusters Certification Slideshow!

Mr. Marvel's Musings:

-This adaptation has been edited for a general audience. Think of it as the T.V. version of the story. There is no profanity or adult situations.

-In the mayor's office, Peter says of Walter Peck, "Yes, this man is a worm".

-In anger, Egon does say "your mother!" when Peck stops them from finding Vinz. Some students laugh at that part, since Egon is the most unlikely member of the team to say such a phrase.

-The scene where a ghost unbuckles Ray's pants is not included.

-I included all the essential and memorable parts.

-I have read this story with my summer library class.

-Thank you to those of you who requested this adaptation :) There are too many names to list here. I hope all of you, and your students enjoy reading it.

Do not fear the reader's theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story.

Reader's theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader's theatre to add to my drama marks.

If the reader's theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago.

Reluctant readers sometimes feel anxious looking at pages of text, whereas a reader's theater script is broken up into narration and different characters speaking, thus making the story more accessible to those students who have not discovered the incredibly fun activity of reading for entertainment.

I use shorter stories with minimal characters in literature circles.

Saving Paper

My administration team does not allow many paper copies to be made from the photocopier, and we are subjected to a quota every month. I usually project the story onto a screen so everyone can see it. Paper is saved that way. Every school board is different, so do what is best for you and your students. :)

When can one make time for a reader's theatre story in class?

When I am not reading a reader's theatre unit with my class, I usually reserve Friday's for the reading of a one-off story. It is an event that the class looks forward to, since they do not know which story I will choose. Great for Librarians and small groups. I project the stories on the screen and assign characters in class. Some characters only have 1 line. A supporting character like that is perfect for a reluctant reader.

I have read these stories remotely/online and in class/in-person.

I encourage teachers and instructors to allow students to practice their parts at home before they read in front of the class. They can try different voices and tones when they practice. It is also good for family bonding time. The student's parent/guardian can play another role and they can read together.

I hope you, and your students enjoy reading Ghostbusters!

Excelsior!

Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader's Theatre