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 masks of the eight characters: 2 donkeys, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 roosters

1. Donkey masks: Using large cardboard (from a discarded box), draw and cut out a donkey face, approximately 14 inches tall. Using two paper plates, make the donkey's snout: roll each paper plate into each other, staple, and fold over the ends to create the donkey's nose. Have students paint these brown, with tempura paints. When dry, staple the ears onto the circle shapes. Using sturdy (packaging) tape, reinforce the ears, taping over the staples on the back of the mask.
2. Dog Masks: Draw the dog's head onto cardboard. (You can make a transparency of the head, and use an overhead projector to trace the shape onto the cardboard.) Repeat for the 2nd dog's head. Allow the children to paint the dogs head using tempura paints. Repeat this procedure for the cat's heads.
3. Rooster Masks: Draw the rooster's head onto cardboard. Allow students to paint with tempura. Using paper plates, create a beak and feathered plum. Have students paint these. When dry, staple them onto the cardboard head.
4. Make handles for the masks: Cover rulers with construction paper to match each mask. Tape them to the backs of the masks.

3) Make the props: One circus wagon and various percussion instruments. Using a small child's wagon, create a wagon-look using cardboard. Allow students to paint the word "circus" on the outside of the wagon.

Create percussion instruments: maracas and tambourines.

1. Maracas: Put 6 kidney beans into a paper cup. Tape another paper cup onto the top of it (upside down). Puncture a small hole in the top of one cup and slide a popsicle stick all the way through for a handle. Reinforce with packaging tape. Allow students to decorate with markers, or have them glue paper geometric patterns on them.
2. Tambourines: Put 6 lima beans into a sturdy paper plate. Lay another plate on top and staple the two plates together. Allow students to decorate with markers or glue paper patterns across both sides of the tambourine.

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 the masks from each other to take turns in saying the character's lines. Allow students to pick which character they want to be.

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 meadow painted onto light blue butcher paper, with a few trees and flowers.

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.