Easy Ways to Christmas Plays

Vicki Howie

Rating:

This book commends itself as containing three simple plays for 3-7 year olds that are fun for children, take little time to produce and have a clear Christian message.  This sounds like heaven for hard-pressed teachers!

Each play has a five week suggested build-up: 
Week 5 – the theme of the play is introduced;
Week 4 – we meet the characters;
Week 3 – the actions, mimes or movements are introduced - often within the context of a game; 
Week 2 – costumes and props are gathered;
Week 1 – what will happen on the day of the play itself.

Each week is presented with a variety of stories, games, activities (differentiated at 3 levels) and photocopiables for the likes of badges or bookmarks.  Each play also contains staging suggestions, memos for the following week and an invitation for parents.

The songs included in these plays are to be found in other commonly owned Christmas songbooks, Carol, gaily carol and Merrily to Bethlehem by A C Black, though you could easily substitute carols that you already have within your repertoire.

I think putting a Christmas play within a five week programme of preparation is an excellent idea, as so often our youngest ones have little idea of why they are dressing up and going on stage, except to wave at their proud grown-ups!

If time is taken to study the 26 pages for each play, I am sure that this book will smooth the organisation of the Nativity play and increase the understanding of the children.  Surely a good thing!

Reviewer: Jan Randall,Class Teacher and RE Manager, Nursling Primary School, Southampton, Hampshire

Review posted on: 23 October 2008

Product information:

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