playS and MuSicalS - Contemporary Drama Service

Grammar,
Linguistically Speaking
by PAUL COLLETTE
A versatile, two-act fantasy about grammar
for entertainment and elucidation
Cast: Optional — up to 36 participants
Age level: Middle School to High School
Playing time: 45 minutes (all scenes, total)
Complete playkit with 10 scripts and
rights to reproduce copies: $20.95
Order #R-P787
Truly, this play is one of a kind! The characters, which are
uniquely grammatical — Period, Exclamation Point,
Colon and Comma — speak according to their
individual meanings. In context, they explain what they
do. The going never gets dull, for the plot has comedy
and adventure, with a total effect that is delightfully
different. Selected scenes may be performed for P.T.A.
audiences or English meetings. The entire play can be
presented for full-school assemblies. The play is also ideal
for classroom study. A superb way to teach and review
punctuation and usage of all parts of speech. This play
may also be used as a reading text for assignments and
homework.
Speech Game
Can of Squirms
A role-playing game for values education
#R-G01 Elementary Squirms
#R-G02 Intermediate Grade School Squirms
#R-G03 Junior High School Squirms
#R-G04 High School Squirms
Plays about Grammar
Leader guide, suggestions for variations and 100 discussion
questions are included with 20 Squirms and game materials.
Each Squirm game: $14.95
Murder at the Grammies
by MIMI BODEL
A “whodunit” about grammar
Cast: 10F, 10M, flexible
Age level: Middle School to High School
Playing time: About 30 minutes
Complete playkit with 10 scripts and
rights to reproduce copies: $20.95
Order #R-P876
www.contemporarydrama.com • toll-free 800-937-5297 • toll-free 24-hour fax 888-594-4436
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All the adjectives, adverbs, verbs and other parts of
speech are in attendance at the annual Grammar Award
Festival. All are vying to be chosen as the year’s Most
Important Part of Speech or the Most Important
Punctuation Mark. But most are discouraged because
Nathaniel Noun manages to win the top award every
year. As the winner is to be announced, the lights go
out. A scream! Lights on — Nathaniel Noun — murdered!
Enter the superhero, Grammarman, and his partner, Word
Wonder. After questioning, they ask each participant to
be part of a sentence diagram. This reveals the killer.
The crime is solved. An excellent classroom play for
learning the parts of speech and punctuation.
You’ve heard about it. Now try it yourself. Just nothing like a “Squirm” to get a student talking. Freely. Actively. An
irresistible format to get meaningful dialog going at the student’s own level. It’s self-adjusting because the students
respond only to their peers. Perhaps the most popular discussion-starter resource available today. More than
100,000 games at all age levels are now in use in schools, colleges, clinics, churches and in homes.
Can of Squirms is a simplified role-playing game conceived in a fun format to make it easy for players to say what
they feel and feel what they say. It encourages peer-group teaching. It involves spontaneous feelings and value
priorities. Every version of the game is design-tested for a specific age level or dialog objective. Adaptable to oneon-one
situations or group sessions.
Can of Squirms is easy to play. Start with two teams of boys and girls (or men and women) evenly distributed. The
competition, as in everyday life, is between ME ALONE and OTHER PERSON. Each person plays one of these
opposing roles. Action begins with the drawing of a “Squirm.” ME ALONE has a brief time to “play it out,” with
OTHER PERSON making the situation as difficult as possible. The confrontation is scored. Scores are totaled. Team
with high score wins. It’s that simple.
Can of Squirms is a values-analysis game that motivates students to learn the benefits of moral responsibility and
ethical standards.