The Lottery Differentiated Readers Theater Script for Grades 6 to 12

The Lottery Free Readers Theater Script offers two leveled versions of Shirley Jackson’s haunting tale, so every reader—grades 6–8 or 9–12—can debate conformity and moral courage while building fluency.

Script Summary

• Scene 1 – A Strange Morning: Kids stash stones while uneasy villagers gather.
• Scene 2 – Whispers of Worry: Rumors surface about stopping the lottery.
• Scene 3 – The Scary Box: Tessie arrives late, still joking—until she sees the box.
• Scene 4 – The Lottery Rules: Mr. Summers explains the draw; Jane picks for her absent husband.
• Scene 5 – The First Pick: William Hutchinson pulls the black-dot slip.
• Scene 6 – Small Fights: Tessie protests as her family faces a second draw.
• Scene 7 – The Chosen Family: Tension rises; Tessie cries, “It isn’t fair.”
• Scene 8 – The Family’s Turn: Tessie’s marked slip seals her fate.
• Scene 9 – The Final Pick: Villagers grip stones, ignoring pleas for mercy.
• Scene 10 – Ritual’s End: Stones fly; the village safeguards its dark tradition.

What’s Included

• 2 differentiated scripts – 10 scenes • ~2,200 words • 18 characters
    • Grades 9–12 version: richer vocabulary (“malevolent,” “profane”)
    • Grades 6–8 version: accessible language (“creepy,” “tricked”)
• Teacher guide (Google Doc, 20 pages) with CCSS alignment, rubric & answer keys
• Student worksheet set (40 Google Slides) – vocab, short-answer, discussion, SEL prompts
• Self-grading exit quiz (Google Forms) for quick comprehension data
• Casting breakdowns and one-page script summary for fast prep

Skills Addressed

• Reading fluency & expressive performance
• Literary analysis (conformity vs. fairness, symbolism, moral complicity)
• Collaborative discussion & SEL reflection
• Context-based vocabulary growth

How to Use

• Match roles to reading levels—Narrators for strong readers, Daniel for beginners.
• Rehearse in small groups; assess with the built-in fluency rubric.
• Facilitate post-performance debate on ethical tradition and peer pressure.
• Wrap up with the 15-question self-grading quiz to capture evidence of learning.

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