John F. Kennedy (JFK) U.S. President | Historical Figure Readers Theater Script

This John F. Kennedy (JFK) Historical Figure Readers Theater Script engages students in an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry history textbook. Abigail and Benjamin travel through John F. Kennedy’s life and presidency. They see him grow up in Massachusetts, shaped by ideals of service and courage.

Script Summary:

As President, Kennedy faces the Cold War’s most dangerous moment: the Cuban Missile Crisis. Through careful letters and negotiation with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, he avoids nuclear war. At home, he calls segregation a moral crisis and supports steps toward civil rights, though he doesn’t live to see the laws passed. He sets America on a path toward the Moon and inspires public service. Though his life ends in a tragic assassination—with lingering questions about conspiracies—his example of calm communication, moral action, and future-minded leadership remains strong. He taught that words and understanding could guide the world away from disaster and towards progress.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

1) Readers Theater Script

• ~10 Characters, 1600 words, PDF & Editable DOCX Formats (8 pages)
• Includes factual historical information, primary source quotes, and narrative storytelling
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Comprehensive Script Worksheet

• Includes Answer Key, Google Slides & PDF Formats (4 Pages | 17 Slides)
• 10 Vocabulary Words: Definitions based on the context of the script to build historical literacy
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script, ensuring students can analyze the content without requiring additional research.
• Long-Format Writing Questions: Encourage deeper reflection and analysis, including one primary source exploration question.

3) Two Primary Source Documents

• Kennedy’s letter to Khrushchev (October 22, 1962)
• Khrushchev’s reply to JFK (October 27, 1962)
• Full Primary Source Text, PDF & DOCX Formats (5 pages)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~25 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.

This resource is part of a bundle dedicated to the most notable 12 U.S. Presidents:

SAVE 50% and get the bundle here: U.S. Presidents Reader's Theater Scripts Bundle (12)