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7

Focus Activity Play Script

Characters

Announcer The announcer introduces the t.v. show and provides information that links story events.

Hunter Down He is one of the time-traveling t.v. news reporters who interviews famous Americans in history with his partner, Hannah Can Do.

Hannah Can Do She is the time-traveling partner of Hunter Down who investigates and interviews famous Americans in history.

Francis Scott Key

He is a lawyer who is moved to write the “Star Spangled Banner” after watching the British attack a U.S. fort during the end of the War of 1812.

Scene 1

Setting: The story takes place on the set of the imaginary “History Rocks!” television show. The reporting duo, Hunter Down and Hannah Can Do, magically travel through time to interview mystery guests from a memorable time in history. On this episode, the reporters travel to the scene of the British attack on Fort McHenry near the end of the War of 1812. The pair visit with Francis Scott Key just after he writes the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Announcer: Go where no one has gone before – back to the past! Join us, t.v. viewers, as we travel along with our trusty reporters, Hunter Down and Hannah Can Do. Today our dynamic duo will be traveling to Chesapeake Bay. They will meet our Great American mystery guest near the end of the War of 1812.

Hunter: (Shake head.) Whoa, dude! I can never get use to that time warp travel.

Hannah: Yeah! What a ride! (Look at watch.) Let’s see. My trusty watch tells me that it is September 14, 1814.

Hunter: Awesome! We’ve gone back nearly 200 years. (Look puzzled.) Whoa! Do you feel that?

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Hannah: Yeah. It feels like we’re sailing on a ship. (Stretch out arms like you are trying to get your balance.) I can feel the waves move under our feet.

Hunter: Hey, look over there. I think that man is our mystery guest. He looks like he’s trying to concentrate. He must be thinking about something important. (Both Hannah and Hunter walk over to Key.)

Hunter: Hello there, sir. Hunter Down here, and this is my partner, Hannah Can Do. You’ve been selected as our Great American mystery guest on an exciting episode of History Rocks!

Hannah: We’re from the 21st century, and we’re here to bring the past back to the present. Millions of young t.v. viewers are waiting to learn all about you and your place in American history.

Announcer: Hannah and Hunter explain their time traveling adventure to the mystery guest who introduces himself as Francis Scott Key. After a few minutes, Mr. Key agrees to spend a few moments talking about his life’s work.

Key: (Look up and down at Hunter and Hannah.) You speak with strange words and look odd, but I guess I have a few minutes to spare with you and your…what did you call them? T.V. viewers?

Hannah: Fantastic! Let’s start by having you tell a little bit about your childhood. Where did you grow up? What was your family like?

Key: I was born on August 1, 1779. My father, John Ross Key, was a plantation owner and a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He fought with General Washington at the Battle of Trenton. My mother has a very long name - Anne Phoebe Penn Dagworthy Charlton Key. I have one sister, whose name is also Anne.

Hannah: What special memories do you have of your childhood?

Key: Ever since I was a young boy I have loved the sound of words and poetry. I would sit and listen for hours as my mother and my grandmother read to me from the Bible or the sonnets and plays of the noble William Shakespeare.

Hannah: (Look at paper.) Ah, Mr. Key, I can see you have a very impressive resume. It says you went to school and studied law. How has that training helped you in your life’s work?

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Key: What a fine question, Hannah! (Hannah smiles proudly.) I’ve used my knowledge of the law to help the citizens of our fine country settle disagreements. I have also worked hard to protect the rights of Americans and make sure that everyone is treated fairly. In fact, right now I am on a mission from President James Monroe. He has asked me to negotiate the release of my good friend, Dr. George Beanes.

Hannah: What do you mean, “release?” Oh my goodness, do you mean Dr. Beanes is a prisoner?

Key: Yes. Dr. Beanes was taken prisoner after he had some British soldiers who were causing trouble thrown in jail. Yesterday I sailed out to this ship to negotiate with the honorable General Ross, who is the commanding British officer.

Hannah: Wow, that’s quite a story!

Hunter: That explains why you are here. Did anyone else help you?

Key: As a matter of fact, Colonel Skinner, an agent of the U. S. government, helped me secure the release Dr. Beanes. Unfortunately, we could not leave the ship until after the British attacked Fort McHenry. I was very worried about that my country men would be tricked.

Hannah: Mr. Key, I notice that you have a paper sticking out of your jacket.

Key: Why yes, I do. That’s one of my special writings.

Hannah: Can you tell us about the ideas on the paper, and how you were moved to write it?

Key: I’d be delighted to explain my poem, Hannah. (Remove paper from jacket.) I stayed up all throughout the night to watch the horrible attack. The rockets glared red. Bombs burst in the sky. I couldn’t help but think about the American soldiers who fought bravely to defend our fort. As the sun rose in the wee hours of the morning, I saw that the stars and stripes were still flying proudly over the fort. I was so moved by what I saw that I had to sit down and write out my thoughts. And this is what I wrote. (Hand paper to Hunter.)

Hunter: (Hunter takes paper.) “O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light…” Whoa! These are the words of our national anthem, Mr. Key.

Key: What do you mean, national anthem?

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Hannah: Your poem was renamed the “Star Spangled Banner.” In 1931, Congress passed a law that made the poem our country’s national anthem. We sing the famous words at hundreds of special events and ceremonies throughout the year.

Key: How interesting.

Announcer: Beep! Beep!

Key: What’s that noise?

Hunter: Oh, that’s our cue that it is time for Hannah and I to end of time-traveling adventure.

Hannah: Thank you for taking the time to visit with us, Mr. Key.

Hunter: Yeah! It was great! We learned a lot about your place in history.

Announcer: Hannah and Hunter shake hands with Mr. Key and wave good-bye as they head back to their time-traveling machine. Join us next week, T.V. viewers, for another exciting episode of “History Rocks!”

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A Re-enactment of the Composing of the National Anthem

by Uncle Sam

Characters

Narrator The speaker tells important details to link the events in a play.

Dr. George Beanes

He is an American doctor and prisoner on board a British ship. He is also the close friend of Francis Scott Key.

Francis Scott Key

He is a lawyer sent to help free his friend. He writes the “Star Spangled Banner” after watching the British attack a U.S. fort.

Colonel John Skinner

He is a government agent from the United States who works to free prisoners.

General Ross

He is the British commanding officer in charge of the attack on Fort McHenry and the imprisonment of Dr. Beanes.

Scene 1

Setting: The play takes place near the end of the War of 1812. During the late summer of 1814, Francis Scott Key boards the British ship, “Surprise,” anchored in Chesapeake Bay. The British fleet plans to attack nearby Fort McHenry.

Narrator: After many years of war with France, the British Navy is run down. Many of its sailors have been killed. Others have deserted and fled to the United States. To rebuild their navy, the British Royal forces are boarding American ships and capturing deserting British sailors and American sailors to man their powerful navy. American forces have gathered at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland to stop the

illegal capture. They promise to guarantee the safety of all

American sailors.

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Beanes: (Excited and curious.) Francis, I am so glad to see you and your friend. I have been held prisoner on this ship for weeks! Have you been captured as well?

Key: Not exactly. I could not bear for my best friend to be captured and

taken away by the British Navy. My distinguished friend is the

well-known Colonel Skinner. He is the man in charge of prisoner exchange. President James Madison has sent us to work out a deal

for your release. We are all stumped by your puzzling capture.

Beanes: I was captured by the British navy for having some of their sailors

arrested. The events were somewhat misleading. I treated many

British sailors for wounds they received during the attack on Washington, D. C. General Ross thought I arrested the injured men. As a doctor, I would never do such a thing! I did ask for the arrest of three British sailors. The men stayed behind and caused trouble long after everyone else had left town.

Skinner: I can see how the events were misunderstood. I will act as an

interpreter of the laws of battle. I am sure that General Ross will

agree to your release in exchange for some British sailors we have captured.

Ross: (Enter Colonel Ross.) Dr. Beanes, I have received many letters from my wounded officers telling me of your kindness as you cared for

them. I am indebted to you for the medical care you gave my

men. Therefore, I have decided to release you and your friends as soon as the attack on Baltimore is over.

Key: (Upset.) Do you mean we must stay on this ship and stand by watching as you attack our country?

Ross: I realize this is a hardship for such honorable men, but I must gain control of this port if the British Navy is to recover. I can not have you tell your admiral our battle plans. (Ross exits.)

Narrator: The next night the three men watched as the British forces began to carry out their plan to attack the port.

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Skinner: (Concern.) There go the soldiers in the small boats. I hope our men are watching for boats that small. If they are only concerned with the ships, they may be attacked.

Beanes: Surely the American army will not be tricked as the large ships in the fleet move up the river. As dawn approaches, we will be able to see the battle from here. Then we will know if the plan was a success.

Key: I heard a sailor say Colonel Ross was killed in an early battle when the small boats crossed the bay. Our men have not been fooled! We must watch the flag flying over Fort McHenry. As long as it flies, our country stays free. (Key looks thoughtful, moves to a corner of the stage, and begins to write.)

Scene 2

Setting: After the failed attack on Fort Henry, the American men have gathered in the dining room at the Indian Queen Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.

Narrator: Soon after the battle started, the British Navy began to retreat. The Americans were not fooled by the small ships. Key, Skinner, and Beanes were sent back in their own boat when the British Navy fled.

Beanes: (Curious.) Key, you have been writing for some time, now. Have you been keeping notes of the events?

Key: (Emotionally.) No, I was so moved by the events of the past few days that I have been writing a poem. When I saw the American flag standing tall after the battle, I was filled with great pride.

Beanes: (Thoughtfully studying paper with writing.) Key, this is quite good. This poem should be printed so others will know and understand the meaning of our flag. It is a true symbol of the strength of our nation.

Narrator: The well-known poem, first titled, “The Defense of Fort Henry,” was soon renamed, “The Star Spangled Banner.” In 1931, Congress

made the beloved song our national anthem.

Updated June 2006 Grade 5 – Literary Features of Plays– 6 SW

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“Name This American” Character Name Cards - 1

Uncle Sam Walter Hunt

Miss Liberty Gutzon Borglum

1st Panelist Maria Mitchell

2nd

Panelist Dolley Madison


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“Name This American” Character Name Cards - 2

3rd

Panelist Sacajawea

4th Panelist

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

5th Panelist Babe Ruth

6th Panelist Liliuokalini


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Text

Features

of

Plays

A character’s dialogue is labeled with his/her name. The spoken words and name are separated by a colon.

Stage directions and character actions are written in italics or enclosed in a set of parentheses.

Smaller parts of a play are called scenes.

A list of characters and a description of the setting is written at the beginning of a play to provide performers with background information.

Narrators help the audience understand how story events are linked. They share details not explained by characters’ speech or actions.

A play can be divided into large sections of text called acts.


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Teacher Modeling Activity

Character Dialogue and Stage Directions

Sam: Welcome to Name This American. Feel free to take a small step on to our stage.

Mystery Guest: Thank you, Uncle Sam.

1st Panelist: Are you famous?

Mystery Guest: Yes, I think most people have heard of me.

1st Panelist: Ah! Then you must be a very important person. Were you a president?

Mystery Guest: No.

2nd Panelist: Are you famous for the work you have done?

Mystery Guest: Yes. You could say my work is out of this world.

1st Panelist: Hmmm. (rubbing his chin) Out of this world, small steps? Do you manufacture shoes?

Mystery Guest: No, to be honest I have never manufactured anything.

2nd Panelist: Does your work have to do with things that are not on the Earth?

Mystery Guest: Yes, my work takes me off the planet from time to time.

2nd Panelist: Are you an astronaut?

Mystery Guest: Yes.

2nd Panelist: Are you Sally Ride?

Mystery Guest: No, I am not a woman.

1st Panelist: Did you ever walk in space?

Mystery Guest: Yes, I was the first person to ever walk in space.

1st Panelist: Are you Neil Armstrong?

Mystery Guest: Yes, and I am well known for the statement I made as I stepped on the moon’s surface for the first time -- “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Sam: Thank you for taking time away from your important job. I think we can safely say we are glad that the Eagle has landed.

Mystery Guest: Thanks Uncle Sam, and thanks to the crew of Apollo 11. We made history together.


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Great American Historical Play Overview

Your Task: You will work with a small group to write a play script that

describes important details about a well-known American who has made contributions to our country’s history.

Choose One:

� Game Show: Create a new scene following the quiz show format of the play, “Name This American.”

� Interview: Produce a script for a news broadcast interview conducted between your historical character and news reporters.

� Re-enactment: Develop a script based on an event that helps define the importance of the American you chose.

Complete each of the following steps. When you have completed all of these steps your play will be ready to perform for your classmates.

Select a Famous American. You may select any American, living or dead, who has contributed to our country.

Step 1 �

Research

Use your social studies text or other reference materials to find important information about your person.

Step 2 �

Plan Your Script

Look at the three models and decide which kind of play is the best to present your character’s story.

Step 3 �

Write the Script

Using the text features of a play you have learned, write a script. Be sure to include the setting, character list, stage directions, as well as dialog.

Step 4 �

Practice Your Play

Read and re-read your play by yourself, then with your group. Practice the stage movements. Reading your part fluently with the members of your group will help others understand your play.

Step 5 �

Create Props

Each character will need a prop or two to help the audience see what is happening.

Step 6 �


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Student Name(s): _____________________________________ Date: _________________ Key Content: •••• Each group has between 3-4 members. •••• Each person in the group has a role in the script. •••• Content describes a “great” American who has contributed to our country’s history through their

participation in historic events/time period, leadership, or invention/entrepreneurship. •••• A narrator builds background information at beginning, links events/details in script, and brings

closure to end of the scene.

Use of Text Features in a Play: •••• The script notes the title and authors of the play at the beginning. •••• The setting is described at the beginning of the script. •••• All characters are listed at the beginning. •••• Character’s names are separated from speaking content with a colon throughout script. •••• Stage directions are indicated by Italicizes and/or words enclosed in parentheses for at least 4 or

more character expressions or actions.

Great American Historical Play Rubric

Drama Type: �� TV. Interview �� Re-enactment of Event �� Game Show

ORGANIZATION & COLLABORATION Score: _______ / 24 Possible Points

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Contributions Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.

Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard!

Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.

Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.

Preparedness Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work.

Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work.

Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work

Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work.

Problem-solving Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.

Refines solutions suggested by others.

Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others.

Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. Lets others do the work.

Working With Others

Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together.

Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group.

Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member.

Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member.

Quality of Work Provides work of the highest quality.

Provides high quality work.

Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked or redone by other group members to ensure quality.

Provides work that usually needs to be checked or redone by others to ensure quality.


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Student Name(s): _____________________________________ Date: _________________

Great American Historical Play Rubric (cont.)

CONTENT OF SCRIPT Score: _______ / 24 Possible Points

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Historical Accuracy

All historical information appeared to be accurate and in chronological order.

Almost all historical information appeared to be accurate and in chronological order.

Most of the historical information was accurate and in chronological order.

Very little of the historical information was accurate and/or in chronological order.

Playwriting Play was creative and really held the audience's interest.

Play was creative and usually held the audience's interest.

Play had several creative elements, but often did not hold the audience's interest.

Play needed more creative elements.

Sequence Retells story in correct sequence leaving out no important parts of story.

Retells story in sequence with 2-3 omissions.

Retells story with several omissions, but maintains sequence of those told.

Retells story out of sequence.

Setting Lots of vivid, descriptive words are used to tell the audience when and where the story takes place.

Some vivid, descriptive words are used to tell the audience when and where the story takes place.

The audience can figure out when and where the story took place, but there isn't much detail (e.g., once upon a time in a land far, far away).

The audience has trouble telling when and where the story takes place.

Characters The main characters are named and clearly described through words and actions.

The main characters are named and described through words and actions.

The main characters are named. The audience knows very little about the main characters.

It is hard to tell who the main characters are.

Connections/ Transitions

Connections between events, ideas, and feelings in the story are creative, clearly expressed and appropriate.

Connections between events, ideas, and feelings in the story are clearly expressed and appropriate.

Connections between events, ideas, and feelings in the story are sometimes hard to figure out. More detail or better transitions are needed.

The story seems very disconnected and it is very difficult to figure out the story.

PERFORMANCE Score: _______ / 24 Possible Points

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Preparedness Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.

Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.

The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.

Student does not seem at all prepared to present.

Props Student uses several props that show considerable work and creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work and creativity and which make the presentation better.

Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better.

The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.

Posture and Eye Contact

Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.

Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.

Volume Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.

Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.

Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.

Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.

Speaks Clearly

Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.

Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.

Speaks clearly and distinctly most (94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.

Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.

Enthusiasm Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.

Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.

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