Theme: Nature and Animals
* Easy:
* "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle (adaptable to various ages)
* "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss (short excerpts can be effective)
* "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear (simple rhyming verses)
* Medium:
* "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame (excerpts about animal characters)
* "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling (excerpts like "The Strength of the Pack")
* "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak (dramatic and evocative)
* Hard:
* "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London (excerpts about animal instincts)
* "Born Free" by Joy Adamson (excerpts about lion cubs)
* "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis (excerpts about talking animals)
Theme: Friendship and Kindness
* Easy:
* "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein (short excerpts with strong emotion)
* "Corduroy" by Don Freeman (gentle and heartwarming)
* "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin (fun and rhythmic)
* Medium:
* "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert Munsch (strong female character and empowering message)
* "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams (about the power of love and imagination)
* "Stone Fox" by John Reynolds Gardiner (excerpt about a boy and his dog)
* Hard:
* "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee (excerpts about Scout's view of the world)
* "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne (excerpts about innocence and empathy)
* "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery (excerpts about friendship and finding your place)
Theme: Adventure and Fantasy
* Easy:
* "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper (simple and encouraging)
* "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll (excerpts about the whimsical world)
* "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman (excerpts about adventure and romance)
* Medium:
* "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis (excerpts about Aslan and the children)
* "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie (excerpts about Neverland and imagination)
* "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien (excerpts about Bilbo's adventures)
* Hard:
* "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien (excerpts about the Fellowship's journey)
* "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling (excerpts about the magical world)
* "The Neverending Story" by Michael Ende (excerpts about a boy and a magical book)
Tips for Selecting Pieces:
* Consider the age and experience level of the students. Start with simpler pieces and gradually increase difficulty.
* Choose a piece that is engaging and age-appropriate.
* Look for pieces with a variety of voices and emotions.
* Remember that speech choir is about teamwork and collaboration. Select pieces that encourage group dynamics.
Resources:
* Online databases: Search for speech choir scripts online using keywords like "speech choir" and "grade school".
* Speech choir books: Several books are available that offer a collection of speech choir scripts for different grade levels.
* Local libraries and schools: Libraries and schools often have collections of speech choir scripts.
Remember to have fun and be creative! Speech choir is a great way for students to develop their communication skills, build confidence, and express themselves creatively.