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Nativity Plays
Nativity plays are one of the traditions of Christmas. Here are some books to help you if you find it's your turn to organise this year's event.
Getting Ready for Christmas
by Meg Harper
(Barnabas)
Unusually the nativity play in this book is aimed at KS2 and above.
The script looks at the different character's reactions to Mary's pregnancy and there are follow up ideas for exploring the same theme in PSHE. This approach could capture the attention of older children and teenagers, but is less suitable for younger pupils who may not all understand the issues involved.
The book also contains a series of Christmas-related lesson ideas for the same age group, together with the necessary photocopiable worksheets. The lessons cover most of the national curriculum subjects, including making an advent calendar in art and design, an investigation of star shapes in maths and work with candles for technology.
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Jesus' Christmas Party
by Nicholas Allan
(Puffin)
Everyone who already knows the Bethlehem story will enjoy this version which tells the nativity story from the innkeeper's point of view - a night of constant interruptions and lost sleep. It's well written with plenty of repetition, lots of humour and a satisfying ending that makes you want to read it again and again. A delight to read aloud to young children and equally enjoyable for the not-so-young, including adults.
(A musical based on the book is available from Starshine Music.)
Ages 3 - adult
Nursey Rhyme
Nativities
by Brian Ogden
(Barnabas)
Aimed at pre-school, nursery and reception classes, these use adults or
older children as narrators while the young children act the story and
join in the christmas songs set to nursery rhyme tunes. There are three
plays to choose from, each with plenty of angels, lambs and other characters
to make sure everybody has a part. Complete with music, photocopiable
song sheets and templates for masks and crib characters.
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from Amazon
Topsy Turvy
Christmas
by Lucy Moore
(Barnabas)
This musical play is designed to appeal to 7-11 year olds and tells the
story of two angels who are skiving off choir practise to watch TV. From
their perspective, the events leading up to the nativity look all wrong
but, when they come down to earth and join in, they find those events
are just right. There's a welcome touch of humour and the songs include
rock and roll, rap and calypso. The music is included in the book for
those who play the piano and the backing tracks are also available on
an optional CD. Includes photocopy permission.
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from Amazon
Easy Ways
to Christmas Plays
by Vicki Howi
(Barnabas)
Aimed at casts of 3-7 year olds, this book provides everything the first
time producer needs. For each of the choice of three plays, there's a
week by week guide to involving the children in the production, rehearsals
and the production itself (including the invaluable advice to make sure
everyone goes to the toilet first). The book includes photocopiable activity
sheets and a poster for each play. There's no music as the plays use well
known carols.
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from Amazon
Practical
Ways to Christmas Plays
by Stephanie Jeffs.
(Barnabas)
This selection of five plays is aimed at 7-11 year olds and includes a
play about children putting on a nativity play and a Native American version
of the nativity story. They all use well-known carols so there is no special
music to learn. Includes photocopy permission
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from Amazon
For more Christmas titles, see
Stories with Father Christmas
Stories without Father Christmas
Christmas Film Tie-ins and Videos
Christmas poetry
Christmas Activity Books
Nativity Stories
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