Readers Theater: Mary Anning and Make an Ammonite Amulet, STEAM Grades 6 and up

~Mary Anning and the Ammonite Society: And learn how to make an ammonite amulet... You're Invited~

A Radio Drama (Readers Theater) about the life of Mary Anning, paleontologist extraordinaire! by Betty J. White, a.k.a Compass Rose, 2022, updated 2023 and 2024. Rated: "Highly engaging!"

• What is a radio drama? Fun! It is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. The following radio play is scripted and provides suggestions for sound effects. Its visual force is purely a matter of the “mind’s eye” with the audience’s interpretation of the acoustics. Since the production of a radio drama does not necessarily involve the creation of costumes, props, and scenery, it is a relatively simple form of “theater”, ideal for classrooms and workshops.

• Grades 6 on up. Note: if your group wishes to dress in costumes, this can be a part of the performance too. (Sometimes actors have a greater sense of their character while in costume.) You can decide! STEAM category (art, science, and history.) ESL Intermediate to Advanced Level... (Students read the script rather than memorize their lines.) The art activity is a great way to structure a language lesson.

• A synopsis is included. The synopsis provides a sense of details for the readers (performers) for “how” they read their scripts; the performers can develop appropriate “voice”, expression, and demeanor for the character being portrayed and the specific situation. The story begins with a traumatic scene where several people are struck and killed by lightning. Based on factual accounts of Mary Anning’s life but the dialog in this drama is a reconstruction of exact events and conversations.

• Includes a self-correcting Easel Assessment, which when completed, students can make the craft project, described below, and become a member of “The Ammonite Society”.

• A craft project: Especially for "rock-hounds"! Become a member of “The Ammonite Society”, established here to celebrate the life of Paleontologist, Mary Anning. Make ammonite medallions or amulets, from paper patterns. These paper patterns are provided and remind us of the fossilized ammonites that were found by Mary Anning. An easy project, requiring few materials. You may wish to use a pattern of the ammonite on both the front and the back of the pendant, so two ammonite patterns for each amulet. I used a 1.5 artist pen, copper color, to highlight the golden ammonite. (See preview.)

Includes a vocabulary list.