TCM 10001ISBN 978-0-7439-0001-0

Mario A helpful young boy who worries about his mother

Mom Mario’s mother who gets injured in a car accident

Aunt Ellen Mario’s aunt who helps out while Mario’s mother is in the hospital

Mr. Foster Mario’s neighbor who helps out Mario’s family in their time of need

Narrator 1 One of the narrators who helps tell the story

Narrator 2 One of the narrators who helps tell the story

Building Fluency through Reader’s Theater

Christine Dugan

Language Arts

Mom

Mario

Aunt Ellen

Mr. Foster

Christine Dugan, M.A.Ed.

MANY HELPING HANDS

Characters Narrator 1 Narrator 2 Mr. Foster Aunt Ellen

SettingThis reader’s theater takes place in and around Mario’s home.

2

Act 1Narrator 1: This is a story of how friends and family helped

Mario’s family when they needed it most.

Narrator 2: Mario lived with his mother, father, and two younger brothers. His house was on a street where many other kids lived, too.

Mom Mario Aunt Ellen Mr. Foster

MomMario

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Mr. Foster: Mario loved his neighborhood because everyone was friendly to each other. It felt like his neighbors were all one big family.

Mario: “Mom, I’m going outside to play baseball with Jason.”

Mom: “Okay, but don’t be gone too long. Remember, we need to pick up your brothers from soccer practice.”

Mario: “Thanks, Mom! I’ll be back soon.”

Aunt Ellen: After playing for a while, Mario got into the car with his mother.

4

Narrator 1: Mario’s brothers were playing soccer at the park down the street. Practice was almost over.

Mom: “What should we have for dinner tonight, Mario?”

Mario: “Can we get pizza?”

Mom: “Good idea. Let’s get your brothers and then pick up the pizza on our way home.”

Mario: “Yesssss!”

Narrator 2: Mario’s brothers jumped into the car and they drove off to the pizza parlor.

Mr. Foster: All of a sudden, another car came out of nowhere and crashed into their car.

Aunt Ellen: It all happened so fast!

Narrator 1: The car was in bad shape. Mario wasn’t hurt, though. His brothers were fine, too.

Narrator 2: Unfortunately, his mom did get hurt.

Mom: “Oh, my leg. I think I broke my leg.”

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Mario: “Mom, what can I do to help?”

Mom: “Mario, can you please help your brothers out of the car?”

Aunt Ellen: The police came. An ambulance came, too.

Mario: “Mom, are you going to be okay?”

Mom: “I’m okay, Mario. My legs hurt, so I think I should go to the hospital.”

6

Narrator 1: At the hospital, Mario’s family waited while the doctors examined Mom.

Mr. Foster: It seemed like forever before Mario was allowed to see her again.

Mario: “Mom, what did the doctor say about your legs?”

Mom: “Well, one of my legs is broken. The other has a big bruise. I’m going to be fine, but I need to stay in the hospital for a few days.”

Mario: “Stay in the hospital? Why?”

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Mom: “The doctors want me to get some rest.”

Mario: “Can we visit you?”

Mom: “Yes. I hope you’ll visit me every day.”

Aunt Ellen: When they left the hospital, the boys were full of questions.

Mr. Foster: They wanted to know who would drive them to school, make their lunches, and help them with their homework.

Narrator 1: Mario’s dad told the boys not to worry. Everything would be okay.

Narrator 2: When they got home, Mario’s dad made dinner. No one was very hungry, so they all went to bed.

Aunt Ellen: The next morning, Mario’s dad made breakfast and drove the boys to school.

Mario: “See you later, Dad. Be careful on your way to work!”

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Act 2Narrator 1: That night, Mario’s dad had to work late.

Narrator 2: He sent his sister, Ellen, to help the boys.

Aunt Ellen: “Hello to my three favorite nephews!”

Mario: “I’m so happy to see you, Aunt Ellen.”

Aunt Ellen: “I’m sorry that your mom got hurt. How are you doing, Mario?”

Mario: “I miss her. Can we go visit her now?”

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Aunt Ellen: “We can go to the hospital in a little bit. Why don’t I help you with your homework? Then, I’ll make dinner.”

Narrator 1: Aunt Ellen helped Mario and his brothers with their homework. Then, they ate dinner together. It made the boys feel good to be taken care of by Aunt Ellen.

Aunt Ellen: “Let’s go to the hospital and see your mom.”

Narrator 2: Mom was feeling much better.

Mom: “I’m so happy to see my boys! How are things at home?”

Aunt Ellen: “We’re doing just fine. The boys ate spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. They’re being very good for me.”

Mom: “Ellen, thank you for helping out. I don’t know what we would do without you.”

Aunt Ellen: “Oh, it’s no problem. That’s what family is for, to help each other out.”

Mom: “Thank you so much.”

Aunt Ellen: “I’ll take the boys home so you can rest.”

Mom: “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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Aunt Ellen: “Boys, I’ll come over every day until your mom comes home from the hospital.”

Mr. Foster: That made the boys feel much better.

Poem: Helping Hands

Narrator 1: A few days later, Mario’s mom came home from the hospital. Everyone was so happy to see her.

Narrator 2: But, life wasn’t completely back to normal. Mario’s mom was on crutches and had to rest when she got tired. That meant Mario had to help out a lot.

Narrator 1: One day, Mario saw his friend Jason playing outside.

Mario: “Mom, can I play outside with Jason?”

Mom: “Do you have any homework, Mario?”

Mario: “I already did it.”

Mom: “Okay, but don’t go too far from home in case I need you.”

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Narrator 2: Mario and Jason started to kick a soccer ball back and forth in the yard.

Mr. Foster: Then, Jason kicked the ball into my yard. Mario tried to jump the fence, but his foot got caught.

Narrator 1: He fell down hard on his arm. He started to cry.

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Narrator 2: Mario wanted to go home to his mom, but he knew she was resting. He felt sad that there was no one to take care of him. Just as he started to get up, Mr. Foster came outside.

Mr. Foster: “What happened, Mario? Are you okay?”

Mario: “I’m okay.”

Mr. Foster: “It looks like you’re hurt. Let me see your arm.”

Mario: “No, I’m okay.”

Mr. Foster: “Maybe you should have your mom take a look at your arm.”

Mario: “No, I don’t want Mom to worry.”

Narrator 1: Mr. Foster was concerned. Mario wasn’t acting like himself. He decided to go talk to Mario’s mom.

Narrator 2: Mario went back to playing with Jason. Mr. Foster walked next door to visit with Mario’s mom.

Mr. Foster: “What happened to your leg? Why are you on crutches?”

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Mom: “We were in a horrible car accident. But, I’m feeling much better now.”

Mr. Foster: “I had no idea this happened to you! The reason I came over is to tell you that Mario seems sad today.”

Mom: “Mario has been helping out a lot around here. I think it’s been hard on him.”

Mr. Foster: “I’ve got an idea. I’ll be back!”

Narrator 1: Mr. Foster turned and walked back home.

Act 3Narrator 2: Mario came home a few minutes later. His

arm felt better.

Mom: “Is everything okay, Mario?”

Mario: “Yep.”

Mom: “Mr. Foster was worried about you.”

Mario: “I’m fine. I just fell when I tried to jump the fence.”

Narrator 1: About an hour later, there was a knock on the door.

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Aunt Ellen: Mario’s brothers were upstairs playing. His mom was watching television. So, Mario answered the door.

Narrator 2: It was Mr. Foster. Standing beside him was Jason’s mom, Mrs. Smith, holding a bag of groceries.

Mario: “Hi! What’s all this?”

Mr. Foster: “Hi, Mario. We’re here to help out! Can we come in?”

Mario: “Sure, no problem.”

Narrator 1: Mr. Foster and Mrs. Smith brought in the groceries.

Narrator 2: Mrs. Smith told Mario that she would take him and his brothers to school for the next few weeks. She would bring them home, too.

Aunt Ellen: Jason’s older sister, Jennifer, would help Mario and his brothers with their homework.

Narrator 1: Mr. Foster had a list of neighbors who were going to make dinner for Mario’s family. Every night for two weeks someone would come over with a hot meal.

15

Mario: “Let me get my mom. She won’t believe this wonderful surprise!”

Song: Lend a Hand

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Aunt Ellen: Mom was speechless.

Mom: “You’re all so kind. I didn’t think we still needed help, but I guess we do.”

Mr. Foster: “I could tell that Mario was upset today. So, I knew we had to do something. We’re all family here.”

Mom: “I know, but I can’t believe all these people are going to help us. I don’t know how to thank all of you.”

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Narrator 1: Mr. Foster and Mrs. Smith stayed for dinner that night.

Mr. Foster: “We want to do this for you, because your family is important to us.”

Mom: “Thank you. You’re all a very special part of our family.”

Mario: “This is great! We’re lucky to have so many helping hands.”

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Helping HAndsWhen times are tough, as they sometimes are,Helping hands are not very far.

As quick as a wink, as soon as you ask, Helping hands are up for the task.

The hands of your brother, your mother, your friend, Your aunt or your uncle—their help never ends.

The hands of your family and those you hold dearAre ready to help you all through the year.

So if you’ve got trouble too big for yourself,Remember those hands are ready to help.

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Lend A HAndLend a hand, show you care, Bring a smile to someone’s face. Lend a hand, lend a hand, Make the world a better place.

Lend a hand, show you care, When somebody needs a lift. Lend a hand, lend a hand, Friendship is the greatest gift.

Hey, good neighbor, Thanks for your time. Hey, good neighbor, You’re a true friend of mine.

Lend a hand, show you care, Bring a smile to someone’s face. Lend a hand, lend a hand, Make the world a better place.

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GlossAryambulance (AM-buh-lens)—a vehicle meant to carry sick or injured persons

bruise (BROOZ)—a black-and-blue spot on the body

crutches—supports usually made with a piece at the top to fit under the armpits that are used by an injured person as as aid in walking

nephews (NEF-yoos)—sons of one’s brother or sister

parlor—a place of business

speechless—unable to speak