Home > Professional Development Channel > Professional Development Archive> Reader's Theater Archive > Reader's Theater Script

Anansi and the
Yam Hills

By Susan LaBella

Grade Level: 3-6

Story Preview: Long ago, in Africa, a sneaky spider named Anansi played tricks on those around him in order to survive. But a spell (cast by an angry woman with magical powers) turns out to be Anansi’s undoing -- and teaches us all a lesson about greed.

Roles: Narrator 1, Narrator 2, Narrator 3, Narrator 4, Anansi, Brother Dog, Brother Bull, Mrs. Hen, 5, Shopkeeper

Setting: A town in Africa, long ago

Theme: Legend, Myth

Vocabulary:

• cast: to cause
• yam: a type of sweet potato
• managed: accomplished

Props (optional): Five small piles of dirt

Follow-Up Questions:

• Who was 5?
• Which character was described as sneaky?
• Who knew about Anansi’s tricks
• Why did Anansi have to use his brain to get what he needed to live?
• Which three words in the story name a sound?
• What words would you use to describe Anansi?

Follow-Up Activity: Encourage students to talk about the story and how it ended. Then ask students to work in small groups to create different endings for the story. Have each group share its creation orally, using drawings or other visuals to enrich its presentation.

Click here for a printable script.

Article by Susan LaBella
Education World®
Copyright © 2008 Education World

11/04/2008