Juneteenth Reading Comprehension PDF
Based on rap songs, these Juneteenth reading comprehension PDF activities feature a reader’s theater play with script and printables to engage students as they learn about the history of the holiday through music.
Reader’s theater = better reading comprehension!
There is no better way to teach students critical reading skills than with reader’s theater. As they perform and learn about the various historical heroes, students will improve their skills by:
– connecting with the text,
– learning new vocabulary words,
– practicing phonics and phonological awareness,
– and comprehending what the text is saying and its deeper meanings.
This play follows a community of family, friends, and neighbors as they rehearse for their annual Juneteenth celebration while educating people about the history and significance of the holiday. The group performs two songs about Juneteenth which your cast can perform as a poem without music or with the included instrumental as a rap musical, chant, or a combination of all three.
Check out a song with lyric video below!
This script works well as a Juneteenth play for a summer program, classroom project, community performance, or youth group production for church. With a fun and easy-to-use script, you, your cast, and your audience are in for an awesome time!
Check out a quick preview skit of the play below!
The full list of characters for this play includes:
Lead Roles
Aunt Joy – Faith’s aunt and the organizer of the Juneteenth performance
Faith – Aunt Joy’s niece who helps her put on the performance
Hope – Faith’s friend who is performing with the group
Khalil – Uncle Vic’s nephew who is performing with the group
Malik – Khalil’s friend who is performing with the group
Uncle Vic – encourages everyone to appreciate and celebrate Black history and Khalil’s uncle
Supporting Roles
James – neighbor who supports Juneteenth celebration and is interested in learning about its history
Harmony – new neighbor who wants to learn about the Juneteenth celebration
This play, titled “Celebrate Juneteenth” includes:
– a table of contents
– character dialogue
– printable lyrics for the songs titled “The History behind Juneteenth” and “Juneteenth: Then and Now”
– tips and ideas on how to use the script
– a simple map of stage directions for understanding the characters’ blocking
– a full character list with brief descriptions of each character
– example songs with the vocals (MP3 downloads)
– song instrumentals for practice and performance (MP3 downloads)
– lyric videos with the song vocals (YouTube and TPT links with MP4 downloads)
– 10 multiple-choice comprehension questions with the answer key based on the script and songs
The run time for this production is ten to fifteen minutes and is a one-act play.
*Bonus Virtual-Theater Option!*
A virtual-theater, how to guide is also included to allow your students to record a virtual performance and share it with your audience in a digital format if needed.
Theater is never canceled!
Click here to get this play now!
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Until then,
Happy teaching!