Just Deal with It!: Funny Readers Theatre for Life's Not-So-Funny Moments

I bought this book for my daughter's fourth grade class, and her teacher had them perform several of the readers' theatre plays. The students had great fun, enjoyed the humor, and learned several lessons about dealing with not-so-fun situations. Diana Jenkins is a master when it comes to writing about and relating to kids. I highly recommend this title for teachers and parents who want to make reading/acting fun for upper-elementary/middle school students.

Got the book and as soon as it hit the hands of some very bright students - they were hooked! Recommend this to all interested in bringing a hands-on approach to creativity.

Awesome

For the average classroom teacher in upper grade elementary schools and middle schools, finding useful books; books that can be put to instant and practical use ... that truly adds to the educational process can be a bit difficult to find. Many of the works you find on the classroom shelf (I mean the shelf that holds the teacher's professional books and is never touched, year after year after year) are filled with either dry as dust text books that have languished there since the teacher finished their last undergraduate or graduate course and never-to-be-opened-again, or some snazzy new publication which "someone" higher up in the food chain decided would be good for all the teachers to have (having never had to read it, much less use it themselves), and in reality probably should have never have seen the working side of a printing press. Lots of good trees have died in this fashion!And then along comes a work such as "Just Deal With it" by Diana R. Jenkins! Ms. Jenkins has created a work here that is not only a valuable tool to be used in the educational process, but it is a work that enables the teacher to reach her or his charges on so many different levels and in so many different disciplines. Please, please, please...read on!This 239 page book is a collection of 19 short plays which can be used in the classroom; any class room, and used quite effectively. I have noted in my years on wondering about schools, in and out of class rooms, that most kids like to act, or at the very least, seem quite enthusiastic when allowed to become active in their own learning process. This is particularly true of the age of student being targeted here. Now putting on a "play" may seem like a daunting task; cast selection, stage, props, lines to memorize, lighting, costumes, etc. Ah, but this is not so with what we are dealing with here! Much of the work and organization has been done!The author has given us the concept of "Reader's Theater" to ponder and work with. Each of these delightful plays (More about them later), is to be read by actors and not memorized in the traditional sense. Each little play requires six to twelve student actors and for the most part all of the props can be found entirely in the class room. Costumes are not a problem as the kids are already wearing them for the most part. Rather than memorizing the lines, the students are allowed to read them as the play is being acted.The audiences for these little mini-productions can come from the rest of the class, other class rooms in the school, invited family members, nursing home dwellers, civic groups....and the list goes on. The author has given the teacher plenty of specific instructions and suggestions on the workings of each play which can be follow...or not...depending upon the comfort level of the individual teacher and the individual students.The subject of these plays cover a wide gambit of everyday situations, from encounters with substitute teachers, visits to the doctor's office, the pushy classmate, the fearful teacher the students will encounter "next year," getting along, not getting along, how to deal with difficult situations and the list goes on. One of the most important things to note here is that this author/teacher most certainly has a sense of humor and perfectly understands life as seen through the eye of a young man and woman...she knows her subject! These plays range from amusing to funny!There are of course many educational advantages to producing class plays such as this, with the first being allowing the child to become use to speaking in front of an audience; a fearful thing for most people. There is the additional benefit of the act of reading. We also have the building of organizational skills here, and each and every one of these skits teach a valuable lesson in life and give the kids something to think about. (Note: There is no "preachy" stuff here). Learning to interact with their classmates on a project such as this is a benefit that cannot be overlooked and of course there is always the chance that a "great acting talent" may be awakened in each and every child. Learning language art skills, reading skills, public speaking, writing and listening...it is all here folks for the taking.Each script is well thought out and I cannot find anything that the author has overlooked. There are parts in each play suitable for appropriate reading levels; some large parts, some small parts and some in the middle. There is room for plenty of drama, comedy, serious thought and above all, participation. The teacher is given plenty of opportunities to throw in their own spin on things if so desired.To be honest, I wish my teachers had had access to a book such as this when I was a lad; it would have added some excitement to the school day. Of course when I was going to school we had to dodge mastodons on the way to the school house which was excitement enough...I suppose.Note: The author has given us another collection, which is just as useful and delightful, and can be found at: All Year Long!: Funny Readers Theatre for Life's Special Times Don BlankenshipThe Ozarks

JUST DEAL WITH IT uses humor and accessible, easy-to-read plays to teach valuable lessons about acceptance and understanding. By drawing students in to become part of the teaching, the learning follows easily and naturally. These are great for classroom use, because without the need for props and sets, the readers aren't distracted from focusing on the words or the lessons in them. As anyone who has every directed a school play knows, there is nothing more frustrating than a kid too busy goofing around with his or her prop to pay attention. Each play can be copied for classroom use. An unusual feature of this book compared to other classroom play books are the supplemental reading suggestions given for teachers who want to build on the lessons.

Diana Jenkins created the perfect hook for the reluctant reader in Just Deal With It. Her collection of humorous plays are created to be read aloud as a fun way to integrate language arts, character education, and public speaking. Reader's Theatre is a humorous collection of real life problems, solved in creative ways by realistic student characters. Not only could these plays be read, and acted with minimal sets and props, but could also be chosen for older students to expand into a drama presentation. The sky is the limit.

Jenkins' "readers theatre" plays for classroom use can play out in lots of small group situations -- think youth groups, Scouts, afterschool and summer programs -- there are many ways to use these truly funny but thought-provoking plays.As always, Jenkins asks her young readers/performers to "consider the journey" they are taking -- as the characters do in each of these plays. Lessons are offered -- in a subtle, humorous way!

This book features abundant humor that naturally appeals to kids, yet tickles adults, too. The plays are suitable for simply reading aloud or full dramatic performances and are "just right" in length - long enough to be make a point and brief enough to capture attention. I'd recommend this book for a variety of settings, including classroom, home, and youth groups. Kids will love it!