FARM ANIMAL PLAYS

Dwayne Douglas Kohn

adapted by

Another option is using animal masks or puppets. You can find patterns for these at our website: www.MisterKindergarten.com. Make your Farm Animal Show an even bigger spectacle by adding farm songs and poems, such as Old MacDonald Had a Farm, The Farmer in the Dell, B-I-N-G-O, etc. Invite the whole family to the big performance. The parents love it and the kids have so much fun! As for the script itself, you may personalize it by typing in your students names after each role. You may even replace the generic name (Pig #3) with the students name throughout the script by using the replace function in the Word program. Go to Edit. Click on Replace (Control H). Type in the characters name (for example The Little Red Hen) in the top box (Find what). In the bottom box (Replace with), type in the students name. Then click replace and every place in the script that it says The Little Red Hen it will now have the students name. Just remember to not change the The Little Red Hen where it lists the characters in the play. Otherwise, instead of saying The Little Red Hen: Mary, it will say, Mary: Mary since that Little Red Hen will also have been replaced (as well as the title of the play!) Your students will, no doubt, already be familiar with most, if not all, of these old tales and you should have no trouble tracking down book versions of these stories to read to your class. However, you will notice that in some cases the plays version of the story may have been changed to make it simpler. For example, in the Ugly Duckling, most books have an interlude where the Ugly Duckling is taken in by an old woman with a cat and hen. We chose to leave out that part and stick to the main details of the story. To see photos of these plays, and others, please visit www.MisterKindergarten.com and click on Class Pictures. On that same website you may purchase a Farm Animal thematic unit that contains many projects and activities that will add to the fun of this unit. There you will also find Farm Animal Paper Bag Puppets, How to Draw: Farm Animals, Animal Masks, and many other helpful reproducible materials. Get ready for some fun on the farm!

I use these plays for our Farm Animal show which my students perform at the end of the Down on the Farm theme in our Houghton Mifflin reading program. Of course, they can be used with any other reading program as well. I have 32 students and each student has at least one speaking role. Most students will have two roles. Those with non-speaking acting roles will also either be a narrator or introduce the plays to the audience. In this way, everyone ends up with a speaking role. I send home the scripts about a week before the actual show and practice just a couple of times with the class. The kindergarten students are not expected to memorize each and every word of their part, although many do. I am always standing off to the side during showtime to feed the students their line if they forget. The Narrator parts can be broken up and shared among a few students to increase the number of speaking roles. Costumes for these plays are simple to make. I just cut out a large rectangle of printed fabric, for example a cow print, and fold it in half. I then cut out a half circle in the middle so that the students can poke their head through. Over the years I have collected dozens of other costumes, most of which I purchase after Halloween at greatly discounted prices. Some of these costumes I bought for 90% off the regular price! If there is a certain animal that you dont have a costume for, but you do have other animal costumes, simply change the animal you dont have to one that you do. For example, I do not have goat costumes, although I do have horse costumes. So, for the Three Billy Goats Gruff, we simply change the main characters to horses looking to cross the bridge to find grass on the other side. And while we are at it, I change the scary old troll to a green alligator. Why? Because I dont have a troll costume, but I do have an alligator costume! You can always make simple costumes by making paper ears using a sentence strip and draw on facial features (whiskers, beaks, etc) with face paint.

FARM ANIMAL PLAYS

THE LITTLE RED HEN
The Little Red Hen: Cat: Dog: Pig: Narrators: Narrator: Once upon a time there was a little red hen and a cat, a dog and a pig. Narrator: The cat, the dog and the pig were very lazy. Narrator: One day the Little Red Hen found some wheat. Little Red Hen: Who will help me plant this wheat? Cat: Not I! Dog: Me neither. Pig: Dont look at me! Little Red Hen: Then Ill do it myself. Little Red Hen: Who will help me water this wheat? Cat: Not I! Dog: Me neither. Pig: Dont look at me! Little Red Hen: Then Ill do it myself. Little Red Hen: Who will help me cut this wheat? Cat: Not I! Dog: Me neither. Pig: Dont look at me! Little Red Hen: Then Ill do it myself. Little Red Hen: Who will help me take this wheat to the mill to turn it into flour!? Cat: Not I! Dog: Me neither. Pig: Dont look at me! Little Red Hen: Then Ill do it myself. Little Red Hen: Who will help me make some bread with this flour? Cat: Not I! Dog: Me neither. Pig: Dont look at me! Little Red Hen: Then Ill do it myself. Little Red Hen: Who will help me eat this delicious bread? Cat: I will! Dog: Me too! Pig: Give me a big piece Little Red Hen: I dont think so. You didnt help me plant the wheat, water the wheat, cut the wheat, take it to the mill, or make the bread. Ill eat it all by myself.

Cat, Dog, Pig: Thats what we get for being so lazy!

CHICKEN LITTLE
Chicken Little: Pig: Cow: Duck: Rooster: Wolf: Narrators:
Narrator: Once upon a time there was a chick named Chicken Little. Narrator: One day Chicken Little was sitting under a tree eating some corn when an acorn fell and hit her on the head. Chicken Little: Oh my! The sky is falling! I have to go tell the farmer. Narrator: So Chicken Little headed off to tell the farmer that the sky was falling. On the way she met a pig. Pig: Hi Chicken Little. Where are you going? Chicken Little: The sky is falling. I have to tell the farmer! Pig: Can I come with you? Chicken Little: Sure! Narrator: So Chicken Little and the pig headed off to tell the farmer that the sky was falling. On the way they met a cow. Cow: Hi Chicken Little. Hi Pig. Where are you going? Both: The sky is falling. We have to tell the farmer! Cow: Can I come with you? Both: Sure! Narrator: So Chicken Little, the pig and the cow headed off to tell the farmer that the sky was falling. On the way they met a duck. Duck: Hi Chicken Little. Hi Pig. Hi Cow. Where are you going? All: The sky is falling. We have to tell the farmer! Duck: Can I come with you? All: Sure! Narrator: So Chicken Little, the pig, the cow and the duck headed off to tell the farmer that the sky was falling. On the way they met a rooster. Duck: Hi Chicken Little. Hi Pig. Hi Cow. Hi Duck. Where are you going? All: The sky is falling. We have to tell the farmer! Rooster: Can I come with you? All: Sure! Narrator: So Chicken Little, the pig, the cow, the duck and the rooster headed off to tell the

farmer that the sky was falling. On the way they met a fox. Fox: Hi Chicken Little. Hi Pig. Hi Cow. Hi Duck. Hi Rooster. Where are you going? All: The sky is falling. We have to tell the farmer! Fox: But it is getting so late. Youll never make it in time. By I know a short cut! Come with me. Narrator: They animals all followed the fox into his cave, but never came out. And nobody ever told the farmer that the sky was falling.

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Pig #1: Pig #2: Pig #3: Mom: Salesman: Wolf: Narrators:
Narrator: Once upon a time there was a mama pig and her three little pigs. Mama Pig: Kids, you are getting so big and our house is so small. I think it is time that you all moved out and made your own houses. Three Pigs: Goodbye Mom! Mama Pig: Watch out for the big, bad wolf! Narrator: The first little pig went to the hardware store. Salesperson: Hello. May I help you? Pig #1: I need to build a house. Salesperson: How about making your house out of straw. Pig #1: Thats good enough for me! Salesperson: That will be $10 please. Thank you. Narrator: The little pig built his house very quickly. As soon as he finished there was a knock at the door. Pig #1: Who is it? Wolf: Its me, the wolf. Open up and let me in! Pig #1: Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin. Wolf: Then Ill huff and puff and blow the house in. Pig #1: Ayyyyyyyy! Wolf: Oh no! My breakfast ran away! Narrator: Meanwhile, back in the hardware store Salesperson: Hello. May I help you? Pig #2: I need to build a house. Salesperson: How about making your house out of straw. Pig #2: Straw is not very strong

Salesperson: Well then how about sticks? Pig #2: Thats good enough for me! Salesperson: That will be $20 please. Thank you. Narrator: The little pig built his house very quickly. Just then his little brother came running over. Pig #1: The wolf blew down my house. Can I come live with you? Pig #2: Sure. Narrator: Just then there was a knock at the door. Pigs: Who is it? Wolf: Its me, the wolf. Open up and let me in! Pigs: Not by the hair of our chinny, chin, chin. Wolf: Then Ill huff and puff and blow the house in. Pigs: Ayyyyyyyy! Wolf: Oh no! My lunch ran away! Narrator: Meanwhile, back in the hardware store Salesperson: Hello. May I help you? Pig #3: I need to build a house. Salesperson: How about making your house out of straw. Pig #3: Oh no. That is not very strong. Salesperson: Then how about making your house out of sticks. Pig #3: Oh no. That is not very strong either. Salesperson: I know what you want. Bricks! Pig #3: Yes. Bricks! That will make a very strong house. Salesperson: That will be $30 please. Thank you. Narrator: The little pig built his house very quickly. Just then his little brothers came running over. Pigs: The wolf blew down our houses. Can we come live with you? Pig #3: Sure. Narrator: Just then there was a knock at the door. Pigs: Who is it? Wolf: Its me, the wolf. Open up and let me in! Pigs: Not by the hair of our chinny, chin, chin. Wolf: Then Ill huff and puff and blow the house in. Wolf: (after blowing) This house is too strong. I know! Ill climb up on the roof and slide down the chimney like Santa Claus. Here I come little piggies! Pig #1: Did you hear the wolf? Pig #2: Hes going to eat us! Pig #3: Dont worry! I have a plan. Well put this pot of boiling water in the fireplace. When the wolf slides down the chimney, hell land in the hot water!

Wolf: Here I come little piggies! Its almost dinner time! Wolf: (sticking his foot into the pot) Yeeeeowww! Narrator: And the wolf ran so far away that he never returned to bother the pigs, and they lived happily ever after!

THE UGLY DUCKLING

Mom: Baby #1: Baby #2: Baby #3: Ugly Duckling: Swan #1: Swan #2: Pig: Cow: Hen: Rooster: Narrators: Narrator: Once upon a time there was a mama duck who had 4 eggs in her nest. Narrator: One day the eggs started to hatch. Mother Duck: (To first duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To second duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To third duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To Ugly Duckling): Oh my! Come on babies. Lets go to the pond for a swim. Pig: Hi Mama Duck. I see that your eggs have hatched. (To first duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To second duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To third duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To Ugly Duckling): What an ugly duckling! Ugly Duckling: (cries) Mother Duck: Dont listen to him! Come on babies. Lets go for a swim. Cow: Hi Mama Duck. I see that your eggs have hatched. (To first duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To second duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To third duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To Ugly Duckling): What an ugly duckling! Ugly Duckling: (cries) Mother Duck: Dont listen to her! Come on babies. Lets go for a swim. Hen: Hi Mama Duck. I see that your eggs have hatched. (To first duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To second duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To third duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To Ugly Duckling): What an ugly duckling! Ugly Duckling: (cries)

Mother Duck: Dont listen to her! Come on babies. Lets go for a swim. Rooster: Hi Mama Duck. I see that your eggs have hatched. (To first duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To second duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To third duckling): What a cute little duckling! (To Ugly Duckling): What an ugly duckling! Ugly Duckling: (cries) Mother Duck: Dont listen to him! Come on babies. Lets go for a swim. Ugly Duckling: Nobody likes me. Im going to hide in this cave. Narrator: So the Ugly Duckling hid in the cave for months. Narrator: When the Ugly Duckling finally came out in the spring, he had changed. (Ugly Duckling takes off gray feathers, showing white feathers underneath) Ugly Duckling: On no! Here come some beautiful swans. They are going to make fun of me. Swans: Would you like to play with us? Ugly Duckling: Who, me? But Im the Ugly Duckling. Nobody wants to play with me. Swans: Youre not an ugly duckling. You are a beautiful swan. Look in the water. Ugly Duckling: I was never an ugly duckling. I was always a swan. I am so happy that I finally have friends!

FIVE LITTLE DUCKS

Mom: Duck #1: Duck #2: Duck #3: Duck #4: Duck #5:
(SONG) ALL: Five little ducks went out to play, Over the hills and far away. But the Mama duck cried With a quack, quack, quack, Because five went away and only four came back. (Continue with 4, 3, 2.) Final verse: ALL: One little duck went out to play, Over the hills and far away. And the Mama duck laughed With a quack, quack, quack, Because one went away and all five came back!

THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF

Boy:

Sheep #1: Sheep #2: Sheep #3: Wolf: Dad: Townspeople:

Narrator: Once upon a time there was a little boy who took care of his fathers sheep. Dad: Son, take these sheep up to the mountain so that they can eat the grass. Watch out for the wolf! Boy: Im so bored. Theres nothing to do all day but watch sheep eating grass. I know! Ill shout that the wolf is here and everyone will come running to help! It will be so funny! Boy: (shouting) The wolf! The wolf! Help! The wolf is eating the sheep! Townspeople: (running over) Where is the wolf? Boy: Ha, ha, ha! You all looked so funny running up here! There is no wolf. I was just bored. Townspeople: (grumbling) That little liar. Narrator: The next day Dad: Son, take these sheep up to the mountain so that they can eat the grass. Watch out for the wolf! Boy: Im so bored again. Theres nothing to do all day but watch sheep eating grass. I know! Ill shout that the wolf is here and everyone will come running again to help! That was so funny yesterday! Boy: (shouting) The wolf! The wolf! Help! The wolf is eating the sheep! Townspeople: (running over) Where is the wolf? Boy: Ha, ha, ha! I tricked you all again! There is no wolf! Townspeople: (grumbling) That little liar. Narrator: The next day Dad: Son, take these sheep up to the mountain so that they can eat the grass. Watch out for the wolf! Boy: Oh no! The wolf is here! He is eating all of the sheep! Boy: (shouting) The wolf! The wolf! Help! The wolf is eating the sheep! Boy: (walks back to townspeople) The wolf ate all of the sheep. Why didnt anyone come and help? Dad: You lied so many times, now we dont know when you are telling the truth. Boy: I learned my lesson. I wont tell any more lies.

Little Billy Goat: Medium Billy Goat: Big Billy Goat: Troll:
Narrator: Once upon a time there were three Billy Goats: a little goat, a medium-sized goat and a great big billy goat. One day they decided to cross a bridge to get to the grass on the other side of the river. But under the bridge lived a mean old troll. Little Billy Goat: Im so hungry! The grass on the other side looks so good. Im going to cross the bridge and go eat some. Troll: Who is stomping on my bridge? Little Billy Goat: It is I, the littlest billy goat. I want to cross the bridge so that I can eat the grass on the over side. Troll: Eat the grass? Well, Im going to eat you! Little Billy Goat: No, please dont eat me! Im much too little. But if you wait a few moments my much bigger brother will come along. You can eat him! Troll: You are kind of small OK, hurry up and cross the bridge. Ill eat your brother instead! Medium Billy Goat: Little brother is right. That grass on the other side does look delicious. Im going to cross the bridge too. Troll: Who is stomping on my bridge? Medium Billy Goat: It is I, the medium billy goat. I want to cross the bridge so that I can eat the grass on the over side. Troll: Eat the grass? Well, Im going to eat you! Medium Billy Goat: No, please dont eat me! Im much too little. But if you wait a few moments my much bigger brother will come along. You can eat him! Troll: You really arent that big OK, hurry up and cross the bridge. Ill eat your brother instead! Big Billy Goat: My brothers are right. That grass on the other side does look delicious. Im going to cross the bridge too and join them. Troll: Who is stomping on my bridge? Big Billy Goat: It is I, the biggest billy goat. I want to cross the bridge so that I can eat the grass on the over side. Troll: Eat the grass? Well, Im going to eat you! Big Billy Goat: You? Eat me? I dont think so. Im a huge billy goat with enormous horns. You can try if you like, but youll end up in the water. Troll: (coming towards the big goat) Roar! Big Billy Goat: (Butting the troll with his horns) OK, into the water you go! Troll: (falling into the water) Ohhhhh nooooo! Narrator: And the Three Billy Goats Gruff stayed on the other side of the river all spring eating the delicious green grass and lived happily after all!

THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF