Boxing Day Holiday Readers Theater Script for Grades 3 to 5

This engaging Readers Theater script for Grades 3–5 brings Boxing Day, a holiday on December 26 in the UK, Canada, and Australia, to life, immersing students in its historical, geographical, and cultural significance! Through a present-day classroom and flashbacks to the 1800s and 1900s, kids explore gift boxes for Victorian servants, the holiday’s spread to Commonwealth nations, and its modern mix of charity, shopping, and sports like cricket. Unlike USA Christmas’ Santa and gift focus, Boxing Day emphasizes kindness to the less fortunate and post-holiday rest. Perfect for social studies teachers seeking multicultural resources, this activity aligns with CCSS standards, boosting fluency, cultural awareness, and comparative thinking.

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(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

What’s Included

• 12-scene script (Google Doc, ~1800 words, 9 pages, 12 characters)
• Teacher guide with script summary, answer keys, and standards alignment (Google Doc, 6 pages)
• Student worksheet (Google Slides) featuring vocabulary, comprehension, gift box math, tradition comparison questions, and reflection prompts

Skills Addressed

• Reading fluency and expressive storytelling
• Understanding the historical and geographical significance of Boxing Day
• Analyzing characters’ roles in celebrating Boxing Day traditions
• Building vocabulary tied to Commonwealth culture and generosity
• Encouraging cross-cultural comparison and kind actions

The Worksheet Includes

• Short-Answer: Identify key details and themes from Boxing Day’s history and traditions
• Gift Box Math: Solve problems using box quantities (e.g., 3 + 4 families’ boxes)
• Tradition Comparison Questions: Compare Boxing Day and USA Christmas in written responses
• Reflection Prompts: Connect Boxing Day’s kindness to personal actions
• Vocabulary: Clearly defined terms (e.g., Commonwealth, charity) supported by script quotes
• Themes: Deep exploration of generosity, community, and cultural evolution

Script Summary
This script celebrates Boxing Day, a holiday on December 26 in the UK, Canada, and Australia, historically about giving to the less fortunate, now a mix of charity, shopping, and leisure, explored through a present-day classroom and historical moments for Grades 3–5. Students learn about gift boxes for servants in Victorian Britain, the holiday’s spread to Commonwealth nations, and its modern shift to sales and sports like cricket. The story begins in a classroom where a teacher and student discuss Boxing Day’s generous roots. It flashes back to the 1800s for its origins, the 1900s for its Commonwealth growth, and highlights modern traditions like Canadian mall sales and Australian yacht races. Contrasting with USA Christmas’ Santa and gift focus, it emphasizes kindness and rest. The script ends with a joyful Boxing Day party, inspiring students to share generosity.

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