Empathy & Inclusion SEL Readers Theater Script for Grades 3-5 "The New Kid"

The New Kid’s Challenge SEL Readers Theater Script invites Grades 3–5 to step into Kai’s shoes and learn empathy and inclusion as classmates build a diverse, welcoming community.

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

Skills Addressed

• Practicing empathy for new students’ feelings
• Including peers in classroom and recess activities
• Valuing diverse perspectives to prevent exclusion
• Developing social awareness through enthusiastic inclusion efforts
• Advanced SEL vocabulary and higher-order thinking

Script Summary

Act 1: Kai feels left out of a project group and recess soccer, highlighting empathy gaps until Ms. Carter’s lessons on kindness.
Act 2: The class drafts an inclusion pledge and recess rules, fully welcoming Kai and extending warmth to newcomer Sam, forging a united, caring community.

Get this script in a bundle of 8 SEL Scripts and SAVE OVER 30%

What’s Included

• 12-scene readers theater script (Google Doc & PDF, ~1 900 words, 10 pages, 12 characters; single PDF with Google Docs/Slides links—printable via Google Drive. 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 discussion questions
• CASEL alignment chart mapping scenes to SEL 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

How to Use

• Assign roles and rehearse each scene to practice empathy and fluent expression.
• Use facilitation guide prompts to lead discussions on inclusion and respect.
• Incorporate the Feelings Word Bank and SEL cards for richer dialogue.
• Close with a reflection on building a caring classroom community.