You might want to have them partner up to talk about the questions, or just think by themselves how they will answer when the director asks them the questions during the play. If the group consists of some nonreaders, you can act as Narrator and read the entire script while kids act out the scene. Have the scripts for the 5 characters highlighted with their part, the rest of the kids can be the audience and follow along with their unhighlighted scripts. This is where the audience will get involved. Don t spend too much time on these questions, or you will not have time to do the charades.
Children recognize feelings of unfairness all too well.
This activity is to help them focus on some of their experiences, and therefore relate to Martha and Mary s situations more personally. As the children develop and present their charades, be careful not to pass judgment on the situations themselves, but rather to affirm that feelings of unfairness are real. Divide the group into teams of 3 or 4. Their experience can deal with siblings, parents, friends, school, teachers, or neighbors. Have them take turns presenting the charades for the group to guess what is happening.