A reader’s theater about
conduction, convection, + radiation
©2014 Three Dog Graphx Designs
Heat Energy at Camp Conifer Forest
Notes for Teachers
I hope you and your students enjoy this whimsical reader’s theater about changes
in heat energy. My goal is to provide a fun way to reinforce or introduce the concepts
and vocabulary of this unit of study. Please note that this play is not an in-depth
lesson about heat energy, but is a great way to enhance existing lessons, or begin a
unit of study. The story reinforces the concepts of conduction, convection, and
radiation. It also introduces conductors and insulators of heat energy. The reader’s
theater format allows many students to participate, and it reinforces reading and
speaking skills.
The story takes place at a camp for kids called Camp Conifer Forest (fictional
name). There are eleven characters and five narrators in the story. Different types
of food interact with each other as they learn about heat energy. The main
characters are eggs, slices of bread, ears of corn, and marshmallows.
I tried to interject humor throughout the story, so I hope your students laugh and
learn as you go through the activity. You could read it in one sitting, or divide it up
into sections, having the students make predictions and a discuss the science
embedded in each scene. I have included a wordsearch activity for your students to
do after they have completed the story. It contains the key science terms, plus the
names of the main characters.
Special thanks to my son Brett (Cosmic Dog Designs), for providing illustrations
that make the characters come alive. Best wishes with this lesson, and I hope it is fun
for both you and your students!
If you like this activity, please check out my other teacher products on
TeachersPayTeachers. Please follow me to learn about new additions or upcoming sales.
http://bit.ly/Hay7ba
Happy Teaching!
Tom Wier
(“Teacher Tom” on TPT)
© Three Dog Graphx Designs 2014
Questions and comments are welcomed at [email protected].
Heat Energy at Camp Conifer Forest
A reader’s theater about the convection, conduction and radiation.
Written by Tom Wier, Illustrated by Brett Wier
Characters:
Eggs—
Yokem (boy egg)
Shelly (girl egg)
Scrambles (boy egg)
Ears of Corn—
The Kernel (adult corn)
Corny
Silky
Marshmallows—
Puff
Smory
Bread—
Crusty
Loafer
Narrators:
Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Narrator 3
Slice
Narrator 4
Narrator 5
Scene 1
Narrator 1: The scene is the kitchen at Conifer Forest Kids Camp located in Conifer Forest National Park. It is
morning. Some of the foods in the kitchen are having a discussion about their upcoming day.
Yokem: Rise and shine Shelly. We have to go to work soon.
Shelly: So early?
Yokem: Hey there Scrambles. Look alive. It will be breakfast time before
you know it.
Scrambles: Can’t we sleep instead?
Yokem: No way. Today’s our big day. It’s our job to give protein, vitamins, and minerals to our campers.
Crusty: You’re not the only star of the show Yokem. Loafer, Slice, and I will be changing into toast this
morning.
Puff: Can you guys quiet down! Some of us get to sleep in you know. You better not wake up the corn
family over there either.
Smory: Would ya’ll pipe down until after dark!
Crusty: Hey Guys! Last night I dreamed that I ate a marshmallow. When I woke up my pillow was gone.
Smory: Very funny!
Yokem: (to Crusty) You’re changing to toast today Crusty?
Crusty: Yeah, I am. What’s wrong with that?
Yokem: Nothing at all. It’s just that I thought you’d always be an old softy.
©2014 Three Dog Graphx Designs
Name:
Heat Energy
at Camp Conifer Forest
Some of the words from "Heat Energy at Camp Conifer Forest" are hidden below. They may be
written vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
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