The Monkey's Paw: Scary Reader's Theatre Short Story Unit-Radio Play-Halloween

Mr. White

And what is so special about it?

Sergeant-Major Morris

It had a spell put on it thousands of years ago to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who tried to change it would be sorry. The spell allowed anyone who held it to have three wishes granted to them.

Mrs. White

Has anybody else wished with the monkey's paw?

Sergeant-Major Morris

Yes. The first person had his three wishes. I don’t know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That’s how I got the paw.

Included in the Monkey's Paw Reader's Theatre Unit:

20 page script divided over 3 chapters

5 characters (2 major characters and 3 minor characters, plus the narrator)

12 Comprehension questions

12 Book Report Choice Board Activities

Book Report Rubric based on 4 levels

The Monkey's Paw synopsis:

Mr. and Mrs. White, along with their son, Herbert, invite an old friend for dinner to their country home. Sergeant Major Morris arrives and tells the White family about the monkey's paw. It grants the user three wishes, but each wish has a supposed consequence.

Mr. White is intrigued and pays Morris for the paw, so that he can use it to obtain fame and fortune.

Mr. White wishes for $200 (in 1902) and is granted the wish with a deadly consequence. Mr. White quickly realizes the grim power of the paw, while his wife seeks to use the paw again. What will Mr. White do?

Was Sergeant Major Morris correct in wanting to destroy the paw? Can the monkey's paw correct a wish?

The Monkey's Paw was published in 1902, and yet it still entices readers with its mystery and supernatural suspense.

I have read this story with grades 5-11 and with my adult students. This story has been read in-class and online when I share my screen. In-class, I project the story on a projector and I magnify the page so that everyone can read the text.

Do not fear the reader's theatre format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story. Reader's theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader's theatre to add to my drama marks.

If the reader's theatre format did not work for my students and I, then I would have stopped creating and adapting them years ago.

Supernatural stories are an instant hook for all grades and for all reluctant readers.

Have a spooky good time reading the Monkey's Paw with your class.

Excelsior

Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader's Theatre.