The Chupacabra - Mythical Creatures | Readers Theater Script for Grades 3 to 5

Uncover the mystery of the chupacabra with this engaging Readers Theater script for Grades 3–5, perfect for social studies teachers exploring Latin American folklore! Students investigate the “goat-sucker” myth, from its 1995 Puerto Rican origins to Taino tales of 1400 CE, Mexican nahual legends of 1700 CE, and Cuban stories of 2000, citing primary sources like El Vocero and the Florentine Codex. Unlike vampire tales of dark castles, this script unfolds in a present-day classroom, blending historical flashbacks with a modern myth fair. Aligned with CCSS standards, it fosters fluency, cultural understanding, and empathy, ideal for multicultural learning.

(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/PDF, ~1650 words, 9 pages, 10 characters)
• Teacher guide with script summary, answer keys, and standards alignment (Google Doc/PDF, 6 pages)
• Student worksheet (Google Slides) featuring vocabulary, comprehension, myth timeline math, story creation, and reflective prompts

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Skills Addressed

• Reading fluency and expressive storytelling
• Understanding the cultural and historical role of chupacabra myths
• Analyzing characters’ contributions to Latin American folklore
• Building vocabulary tied to mythology and primary sources
• Encouraging empathy and cultural appreciation

The Worksheet Includes

• Short-Answer: Identify details from chupacabra myths and historical sources
• Myth Timeline Math: Solve problems using myth quantities (e.g., 3 + 2 + 5 myths)
• Story Creation: Craft original chupacabra myths with cultural details
• Reflective Prompts: Connect myths to personal and cultural understanding
• Vocabulary: Defined terms (e.g., juracán, nahual) with script quotes
• Themes: Explore storytelling, fear, and empathy

Script Summary
This Readers Theater script for Grades 3–5 explores the chupacabra, a Latin American mythical creature, through a present-day classroom and historical flashbacks. Students uncover its 1995 origins in Puerto Rico, Taino myths from 1400 CE, Mexican nahual tales from 1700 CE, and Cuban stories from 2000, referencing primary sources like El Vocero and the Florentine Codex. The story follows Diego and his teacher, Ms. Rivera, as they form a “Chupacabra Club” to investigate rumors, meeting figures like Cacique and a misunderstood Chupa. Emphasizing empathy, cultural storytelling, and overcoming fear, the script shows how myths reflect human emotions. It ends with a vibrant myth fair, inspiring students to embrace understanding over fear.

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