Grades 3–5
The Great Cookie Mystery
A reader’s theater script for 5 readers. The cookie jar is empty, and Detective Whiskers follows the clues.
Drama worksheet · Reader’s theater scripts
The Monster Under the Bed
A reader’s theater script for 4 readers. Max is scared of the monster under his bed, but the monster is scared too.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Reading aloud with expression, Following a script and waiting for a cue, Reading comprehension, Working as a cast
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Cast: NARRATOR · MAX · GUS, a monster · DAD
- NARRATOR: It was bedtime. Max pulled the blanket up to his nose.
- MAX: (whispering) Dad, I think there is a monster under my bed.
- DAD: (looking under the bed) I only see socks and a toy car. Good night, Max.
- NARRATOR: Dad turned off the big light. Then something under the bed began to shake.
- MAX: Who is there?
- GUS: (in a shaky voice) M-m-me. My name is Gus. Please don’t scream!
- MAX: Why would I scream?
Teacher tip
Talk about Gus’s shaky voice before practice. The fun of the script is that the monster is more scared than Max.
How to use it
- Have kids highlight their own lines before practice.
- Practice two or three times, then perform for another class.
- Read the box at the top of the sheet together, then try the first item out loud as a class.
Watch for
Reading too quietly or too fast. Ask readers to look up at the audience between lines.
Talk about it
- What was your favorite line to say?
- How did the audience know how your character felt?
Take it further
Add simple props or paper masks for the performance.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More reader’s theater scripts worksheets
Grades K–1
The Snail and the Bunny
A reader’s theater script for 3 readers: a twist on the tortoise and the hare. Answer three questions after the show.
Grades 1–2
The Lost Crayon
A reader’s theater script for 4 readers. Red Crayon is missing, and the other crayons go looking.
Grades 2–3
The Robot Who Could Not Dance
A reader’s theater script for 4 readers about a stiff little robot and the school talent show.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.