"The Teachers’ Show" Poetry Theater

A poem in eight voices

Adapted from the poem by Bruce Lansky in My Dog Ate My Homework! published by Meadowbrook Press.   Summary: A zany teacher talent show is announced.   Presentation Suggestions: Have the students read or perform the poem in front of the class. Have the students act out the different lines while they read them.   Props: A paintbrush or cooking pot would make great props. If these are not available, the poem can be performed without props.   Delivery: The lines of the poem need to be read with poetic rhythm. For more information on poetic rhythm and how to perform poetry in classroom, please read the Performing Poetry section under the Teacher’s Resources.   Characters: Narrator Teacher 1 Teacher 2 Teacher 3 Teacher 4 Teacher 5 Teacher 6 Principal     The Teachers’ Show   Narrator:   I have an important announcement. I want everybody to know: on Monday all classes are cancelled. The teachers will put on a show.   Teacher 1:   ________________ will be juggling meatballs.      [Teacher 1’s name]   Teacher 2:   ________________ will dance with a bear.      [Teacher 2’s name]   Teacher 3:   ________________ and      [Teacher 3’s name]   Teacher 4:   _______________ will yodel.      [Teacher 4’s name]   Teacher 5:   ________________ will tear out __________ hair.      [Teacher 5’s name]                         [his or her]   Teacher 6:   ________________  is quite entertaining.      [Teacher 6’s name] ________________ does something you’ve never seen.          [He or  She] If you want a bad case of measles, ________________ paint them on red, white, and green.        [He’ll or She’ll]   Principal:   ________________ is also performing.      [Principal’s name] ________________ come up with something quite new.        [He’s or She’s] ________________ doing _____________ act in the kitchen.        [He’s or She’s]                                       [his or her] ________________ dumping the cook in the stew.        [He’s or She’s]   Narrator:   Your parents are certainly welcome, but make sure to tell them the rule. If any of them arrive tardy, they’ll have to be kept after school.   I know that our show is exciting. I wish that you all could be here. But school will be closed for vacation. I can’t wait to see you next year.     © 2003 by Bruce Lansky. Adapted from the poem in My Dog Ate My Homework! published by Meadowbrook Press. This classroom theater play version of “The Teachers’ Show” is © 2008 by Meadowbrook Press. Permission is given for individual school classes to perform this play and to make as many copies of the play as are needed for the students’ use. All other reproduction and performance is prohibited under penalty of law. For use of this play outside individual classes, please contact info@meadowbrookpress.com for permission. Click on the book below for more information about “My Dog Ate My Homework!”