Norman & the Valentine Bullies Reader's Theatre Script -With Rubric

Looking at Wilma’s brown eyes made Norman’s knees start to buckle.

That night, Norman did twenty-five push-ups and ate two helpings of mashed potatoes. Then he ran around the house until his legs felt like noodles.

Norman looked in the mirror, and sighed.

Norman

I don’t look stronger, taller or bigger. This might take more time than I thought.

Everyday Norman worked hard. He ran from the grocery store to the fire station before breakfast. He ate broccoli and brussels sprouts. He did jumping jacks and somersaults.

Every day he stared at the back of Wilma’s head and hoped she would turn around and notice him.

Norman

I’ll bet she doesn’t even know my name.

Included in the Norman & the Valentine Bullies Reader's Theatre Unit:

8 page script

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

Student Success Criteria

Student Friendly Goals

Teacher's Reader's Theatre Checklist

Norman & the Valentine Bullies synopsis:

New girl, Wilma, has caught the attention of a trio of boys in her class: Strong boy of the class, Richard; tallest boy in the class, Arthur; and normal Norman. Each of them are doing their best to get noticed by Wilma. Her new friend, Jane, is trying to get Wilma to go on a Valentine's date with either Arthur or Richard, but quiet Wilma is not interested in them or anyone. Norman does his best to become stronger and taller before Valentine's Day. He is also being taunted by Richard and Arthur once they see that Norman is interested in Wilma.

Will Norman be able to convince Wilma to be his Valentine date, or will she end up with either strong Richard, or tall Arthur, or someone completely different?

Find out in Norman & the Valentine Bullies!

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.

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 have a fun time reading Norman & the Valentine Bullies!

Happy Valentine's Day and Excelsior!

Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader's Theatre