Ruby Bridges | BHM | Readers Theater Script

This Ruby Bridges Historical Figure Readers Theater Script engages students in an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry history textbook. Abigail and Benjamin follow the life of Ruby Bridges, who, at six years old, was one of the first Black children to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960.

Script Summary:

This script begins with a time-travel theme—Abigail and Benjamin use a magic trunk to witness key moments in Ruby’s life. They see how legal orders (Brown v. Board of Education) forced schools to integrate, and how Ruby was chosen to enroll in William Frantz Elementary. Despite angry crowds, Ruby stayed strong, supported by her mother, U.S. marshals, and her teacher Mrs. Henry. The script concludes in 1997, with an older Ruby Bridges explaining the importance of kindness over hate in an interview with Charlayne Hunter-Gault. Through Ruby’s perseverance, we learn that even a young child can be a catalyst for major social change.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

1) Readers Theater Script

• ~13 Characters, 1600 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) One Primary Source Document

• PBS NewsHour Interview Excerpt - A class of one: Ruby Bridges (Feb. 18, 1997)
• Primary Source Text, DOCX Format (1 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.