During the fall semester, DuPont Hadley CASE afterschool students immersed themselves in a two-week reading project featuring the Readers Theater adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl. While some students were familiar with the story through the movie, most had never experienced the book or play, making it an exciting new adventure.
From the outset, students took ownership of the project, planning every detail from start to finish. They developed a timeline, determined the daily reading goals, assigned character roles, and even organized a movie watch party to kick off their Thanksgiving break.
To prepare for the performances, students practiced accents, character voices, and proper audience etiquette. Once the reading began, they quickly overcame any hesitation about reading aloud. Before long, they were delivering their lines with full confidence and expressive voices. Students who had initially been shy found themselves earning the biggest laughs, showcasing their newfound enthusiasm and creativity.
After two weeks of engaging with the story, the group celebrated with a viewing of the stop-motion movie adaptation. Without any prompting, the students eagerly discussed the differences between the movie and the story they had read, reflecting on how their imaginations had shaped the experience.
Roald Dahl’s classic brought laughter, creativity, and the kind of shared moments that will remain memories for years to come.
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