Anxiety & Emotional Management SEL Readers Theater Script for Grades 3-5

Talent Show Tryout SEL Readers Theater Script invites Grades 3–5 to explore performance anxiety and emotional resilience as Sofia prepares for a violin showcase, supported by peers and calming strategies like deep breathing and visualization.

Try one out for free to make sure it meets your students’ needs: The Apology Letter

Skills Addressed

• Managing performance anxiety with calming techniques
  
• Encouraging peers through supportive words and actions
  
• Building resilience by persevering after setbacks
  
• Practicing self-management with visualization and positive self-talk
  
• Enhancing SEL vocabulary and reading comprehension

Script Summary

Act 1: Sofia hesitates to perform, overwhelmed by nerves; friends Ava, Liam, and Noah teach deep breathing and visualization.
Act 2: Sofia tries again with peer support, inspires the class to help new student Zara, and co-create a confidence-building checklist—discovering community strength through empathy and resilience.

What’s Included

• 12-scene readers theater script (Google Doc & PDF, ~1 700 words, 10 pages, 9 characters; a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides—printable from Google Drive to Word/PDF/PPT. Note: Feelings Word Bank & 30 B/W SEL cards included.)
  
• Teacher facilitation guide (Google Doc & PDF, 8 pages)
  
• Scene-by-scene lesson plan guide with main ideas & thematic discussion questions
  
• CASEL alignment chart mapping scenes to core competencies
  
• CCSS standards alignment
  
• Casting breakdown with lexical complexity levels
  
• Student worksheet (Google Slides; printable PDF/DOCX) with short-answer, challenge & scenario-based writing tasks plus vocabulary

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How to Use

• Assign roles and rehearse to practice calming strategies and expressive reading.
  
• Use facilitation guide prompts to discuss anxiety management and peer support.
  
• Incorporate the Feelings Word Bank and SEL cards to deepen emotional vocabulary.
  
• Conclude with a reflection on resilience, teamwork, and positive self-talk.