Stage One

1. Introduce the play as a singsong poem. Play the CD for the students, asking them to pay attention to how the lines are said.

2. Make the mask for the Mr. Gus.

• Using large cardboard (from a discarded box), draw and cut out an oval, approximately 14 inches tall. Allow the children to paint the head shape using tempura paints. (Instruct the children on how the human body has symmetry, as you cut out identical eyes, ears, nose, and mouth from white construction paper, and glue them onto the cardboard.) Draw and cut out the zookeeper's hat, and allow children to color or paint it.

• Make handles for the mask: Cover ruler with construction paper to match the mask. Tape it to the back of the mask, using clear packaging tape.

• Parasaurolophus: Using a rectangle (2' x 3') made of cardboard, draw and paint on the parasaurolophus. Using 2 plastic trowels (found at a hardware store), hot glue these onto the back of the sign to be used as handles for the sign. Glue these onto the back of the sign lengthwise vertically so that two children can hold up the sign at a time, sharing the lines of the dinosaur.

• Microceratops: Using a rectangle (1' x 2') made of cardboard, draw and paint on the microceratops. Glue plastic trowels on each end of the back of the sign vertically, just as you did before.

• Bagaceratops: Using a rectangle (1' x 2') made of cardboard, draw and paint on the bagaceratops. Glue plastic trowels on each end of the back of the sign vertically, just as you did before.

• Stegosaurus: Using a rectangle (3' x 4') made of cardboard, draw and paint on the stegosaurus. Glue plastic trowels on each end of the back of the sign vertically, just as you did before.

Make the dinosaur signs of the: utahraptor, coelophysis, tyrannosaurus, albertosaurus, spinosaurus, and brachiosaurus.

If you make these on cardboard, and put plastic trowels on these, you can have two children carry them on and off the stage area more easily. Also, a cardboard cut out of a tree next to a cardboard cut out of a shrub, sitting off to one side of the stage, will make a lovely setting for the dinosaurs to move about in.

Stage Two

Make six copies of the play. Allow the students to take turns reading along with the CD. Invite different children to volunteer to be Mr. Gus. In other words, eight or ten different children might share the part of Mr. Gus. They can practice taking the mask from each other to take turns in saying the character's lines. Allow students to pick which character they want to be. However, when two children share the part of one dinosaur, allow both children to carry out the sign together.

Stage Three

Make one copy of the play using a larger font. Cut out the various parts (in four line passages) and assign a student's name on each section in pencil. Glue these onto 3" x 5" index cards. Number these cards in bold red. Create a master script that you write in (pencil) each child who will be delivering a certain passage. Keep your script on a clipboard that is marked "Teacher's Copy."

Stage Four

Allow students to practice reading their lines over and over again.
Play the CD for them to practice using fluency and proper vocal influctuations.

Stage Five

Allow all the students to sing the songs in the play. Read the lyrics one line at a time, having the students repeat the lines. Practice singing the songs daily for memorization.

Stage Six Invite the students to create the background set. Suggestions: a background of trees and shrubs, with different dinosaur skeletons painted on them. Using a few stuffed animal dinosaurs would also give the stage a three dimensional look.

These stages should take about two-three weeks preparation, utilizing about two hours a day. Next, all you have to do is practice having the children read their lines without the CD, and practice passing the masks back and forth.

Keep the index cards on a table near the stage. Instruct the students to remember which number he/she is reading. Also, seat the children on the floor near the stage in order of how they are reading their lines.

After four days of rehearsal of running through the play, your class should be ready to perform! Break a leg!