Stage One
 
1. Introduce the play as a rhyming verse. Play the CD for the students, asking them to pay attention to how the lines are said.
 
2. Make/assemble the props: table with four chairs, desk with a cardboard box computer, monitor and keyboard, notebooks, paper, and pencils on the table.
 
Computer and monitor: Attach a cardboard box, approximately fifteen inches, wide and four inches deep, to another cardboard box approximately eight inches wide and twelve inches deep. (Use your computer monitor as a model.) Have students paint the monitor with tempura paints. Using a small jump rope, create the wires coming out of the back of the monitor that connect to another cardboard box sitting on the floor that is painted to look like a computer. Set the computer monitor on top of a small table.
 
3. Create the background scenery: a picture window approximately 2' x 3' that has curtains. Through the window, have the students draw and paint a wooded backyard. Have other groups of students draw and color with markers, the family portrait and the painting of flowers.
 
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 certain characters. In other words, three or four different children might choose to be one character. They can practice taking turns in saying the character's lines. Allow students to pick which character they want to be. Since there are only four characters, invite two children to share one role. In other words, two different girls can be Janie, and this is clearly defined to the audience as the girls are dressed exactly alike: red shirt, blue jeans, with identical hair ties. This allows for eight students to have main roles. Near the end of the play as the report is being given, divide the stanzas up throughout all the students who have not had a speaking role. This would allow a class of 25-30 students to all have a speaking part.
 
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. Then pass out copies of the song. The lyrics will be more easily readable because the students are already familiar with the words. Children are more inclined to read (and sing!) if they feel that they can be successful. Practice singing the songs daily for memorization. Perhaps you can incorporate having students play a tambourine or conga drums with the music.
 
These stages should take about two 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. 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!