Juneteenth | BHM | Readers Theater Script

This Juneteeth Historical Figure Readers Theater Script engages students in an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry history textbook. Abigail and Benjamin explore how Juneteenth—June 19th, 1865—became the day Texans finally recognized the end of slavery.

Script Summary:

Abigail and Benjamin travel back to see President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 and then jump forward to witness General Gordon Granger issuing General Order No. 3 in Texas. They meet newly freed individuals like Lucille and Thomas, who react with relief and uncertainty. The scenes highlight how slow communication and a postwar environment delayed freedom in Texas for two years. Despite ongoing challenges, Juneteenth emerged as a powerful day of celebration, marking the final awareness and enforcement of emancipation in every corner of the Confederate states.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

1) Readers Theater Script

• ~8 Characters, 1700 words in editable DOCX Format (9 pages)
• Includes factual historical information, primary source quotes, and narrative storytelling
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Comprehensive Script Worksheet

• Includes Student Copy and Answer Key in PDF & Google Slides 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.
• 5 Long-Format Writing Questions: Encourage deeper reflection and analysis, using the full text of the included primary source.

3) Two Primary Source Documents

• General Order No. 3 by Major General Gordon Granger (June 19, 1865)
• Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
• Full Primary Source Texts, DOCX Format (3 page)

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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.