THE FIRST CHRISTMAS Nativity Reader's Theater and Task Cards

Here's a wonderful way for children to read and interact with the story of the first Christmas, based on New Testament gospel accounts. The reader's theater is perfect for a Christian school or church Christmas program, and the game format of the task card riddles make them fun for a classroom activity or party!

Reader's Theater: Children will love performing The Christmas Story (based on Luke 2:1 - 20) with an 8-part reader's theater and super cute performance puppets! The story is scripted for eight readers (Mary, Joseph, Angel, Shepherd, and four readers who read the narrative parts of the story). In some places ALL readers and characters read together as a chorus; these parts use repetition and are meant to be chanted in unison for dramatic effect. This also give everyone more opportunities to read! As students read, they'll build familiarity with the Christmas story, reading fluency, and listening and speaking skills. Great to perform in the classroom, or for a Sunday School or church Christmas program.

20 Task Card Riddles: The game format of these task cards is a fun way for children to read and write about the first Christmas. Each card has a Christmas riddle to solve, and the recording sheet includes a helpful word bank for children who need this support. Read the clues, solve the riddles--and build familiarity with the Christmas story! Perfect for centers or independent work in your Sunday School, Christian School or homeschool classroom. Fun for a Christmas party as well!

Please see the thumbnail images and PREVIEW above for a closer look at this resource!

This easy-prep resource includes:

• A pre-marked set of 8 scripts (with the parts for each reader already marked in blue)

• A master copy of the script (which can be copied and the parts marked by hand, if color printing is not an option)

• Performance Puppets for students to color (one for each character)

• Reader Headband Tags for students to color (one for each character and reader)

• Directions for practicing and staging your performance

• 20 task cards (in both color and black & white)

• A recording sheet and answer key

• Complete task card activity directions

• Bonus! Christmas coloring sheet

Related resources from my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

• The First Easter - Reader's Theater and Puppet Fun

• Who Am I? Easter Riddles Task Cards

• THE FIRST EASTER Activity Bundle

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Carla Hoff