Act 1 Sneak Peek Student Time Travelers | American Expansion (CYOA) | Reader’s Theater Script

This is a sneak peek of act 1 from the choose-your-own-adventure (CYOA) reader's theater script which in full consists of 8 acts, each set in a pivotal historical moment—from the Declaration of Independence to WWII’s Pacific battles. Check out the full script here.

Act 1: Spark of Independence

Historical Period: The American Revolution, specifically July 1776. Covers the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where delegates from the 13 colonies debate and adopt the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of the United States amid war with Britain.

• Follow 8th-grade time travelers Liam and Sofia as they explore U.S. expansion in 1776.
• With 8 characters appearing in Act 1, including figures like Jefferson, Franklin, and John Adams the ~2100-word script blends rich historical facts with interactive fiction.
• Every Act offers three choices: one keeps America’s real history intact (e.g., annexing Hawaii), while two spin wild alternate timelines (e.g., a Japanese Hawaii or British Alaska).
• Includes a comprehensive student worksheet, answer key and teacher’s guide. Bring history to life through dialogue, decision-making, and discussion.

What's Included?

• 1 Act Preview Script: ~2100 words | 8 Characters | 6 Pages (MSWORD, Google Doc)
• Student Worksheet & PDF Answer Key: Comprehension Questions | Fact vs Fiction | Primary Source Exploration (PDF, MSWORD, Google Slide)
• Teacher's Guide: Tips for Use, Themes & Discussion Questions, Standards (CCSS, NCSS, NCHS), Script Summary (Word Doc | 5 pages)

How to Use the full 8 act script?

• Preparation: Provide students with the script and worksheet. Review the Teacher’s Guide (Word Doc) for tips, standards, themes, and a summary with spoilers and list of which decisions keep history on track.
• Implementation: Assign roles from the 35-character casting breakdown—Liam and Sofia lead, supported by historical figures and a narrator. Divide the class into groups if needed (e.g., 8-10 students per group for all acts). Read each act aloud, pausing at each scene’s decision point. Have students discuss and vote on one of the three options, then read that outcome together.
• Exploration: Encourage students to reread the scene, trying all three choices to compare outcomes (e.g., Act 1’s unity vs. British rule). Always read the historical choice (noted in the Teacher’s Guide) before moving to the next act to anchor real events.
• Worksheet & Primary Source Exploration Activities: Use the Vocabulary section for pre-reading prep or post-reading reflection. Assign worksheet comprehension questions as homework or in-class tasks—the last 3 of which require primary source research (e.g., Treaty of Paris). Discuss Themes & Questions in groups to deepen analysis.

Teacher’s Guide Highlights

• Tips for Use: Staging suggestions, pacing (1-2 acts per 45-minute class), and role assignment strategies.
• Themes & Discussion Questions: 4 themes with 8 questions to spark debate.
• Standards Met: CCSS (RH.6-8.1-9, SL.6-8.1), NCSS (Themes II, III, V, VIII), NCHS (Eras 3, 4, 6, 8) for historical literacy.
• Script Summary: Spoiler-filled overview with historical choices (A, A, C, A, B, A, B, C) for planning.

Will this work in my classroom?

This CYOA format hooks students with interactive storytelling, letting them shape history while learning key events (e.g., Louisiana’s $15 million buy, Guam’s 1944 retaking). The worksheet builds skills—vocab boosts literacy, questions deepen analysis, and research connects to primary sources. Perfect for a range of grades and history classes, but especially targeting 8th-grade U.S. history.