Chinese New Year Readers Theater Script - Lunar New Year - Middle School

This original Chinese New Year reader's theater script is based on the Chinese legend of the monster Nián. Students will learn why Chinese people wear red clothing, hang red decorations, and set off fireworks during Chinese New Year. Includes seven speaking parts.

As an American expat living in Shanghai, I love Chinese New Year and have really enjoyed making new products to go with Chinese New Year.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR READER'S THEATER SCRIPT

• Recommended for: Grades 4-7
• Lesson Duration: less than 30 minutes
• Formats: PDF
• Editable: NO
• Number of pages: 7

SUPPLIES AND PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:

• Nothing is needed beyond copies of the script. You can print front-to-back to save paper.
• If you want to add costumes, you could add red pajamas, a monster face, kitten ears, and spectacles for the grandparents. Narrators and audience could wear pajamas. Red pajamas are especially useful during Chinese New Year!
• Students do not need any background knowledge to understand the story, but I did include some information to share with students if you would like to provide more background.

ABOUT THE SCRIPT:

• It's original. I've heard different versions of the Nián story, so I took the common elements and created a new story for Ting-Ting, a young girl who on the eve of the New Year, encounters the monster Nián and accidentally learns of his three fears.
• There are seven speaking parts: Ting Ting, Ye Ye (grandfather), Nai Nai (grandmother), the monster Nián, the kitten, and two narrators. The kitten has only two short lines--a meow and a purr--so it's perfect for students who want to perform but do not want lots of lines.
• I recommend Grades 4-7. It will take about 15-20 minutes to perform the script.
• Text is broken up by illustrations on every page.
• I've also included a few basic facts about the story of Nián that will help students understand a bit more about the celebrations before reading the script.

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