Bullying is about power and controlling another person. The two reader's theater-style plays in this book look at bullying first from two different viewpoints - that of the victim, and that of the bully. Young people will learn how to recognize it and how to change it.
A flashpoint is the critical stage in some process at which action - often violence - occurs. As young people will learn in these two reader's theater-style plays, however, flashpoints can also trigger change. The plays focus on both physical and verbal outbursts of anger and ways to regain control of ones emotions.
People often tend to link their personal identity to their physical body. Two reader's theater-style plays focus on both male and female characters and their body images. Clarisse believes she is too fat and becomes obsessed with dieting. Sam's story focuses on a males impatience for change to occur - will he always be 411 and 98 pounds? Young people will learn that they may have more control over self-image than they imagine.
For adolescents, a sense of belonging to a group is an essential step in self-discovery. And yet not all popular kids are stress-free. How others view us is important, but these two reader's theater-style plays help readers distinguish the difference between social acceptance and personal acceptance.
Resentment and compassion link these two reader's theater-style plays that help teach young people how to deal with real situations. Both deal with traumatic changes within a familya separation between the two most important people in a childs life and the loss of a home and a beloved furry family member.
It's always important to appreciate how much we all have in common. But sometimes it's just as important to appreciate the ways in which we are different. A change of attitude is often needed when it comes to accepting diversity. These two reader's theater-style plays look at the personal consequences of rumors and bigotry.
The mice must try to figure out how to protect themselves from the house cat. One young mouse has a great idea. But will he have the courage to bell the cat?
