Let them choose, or assign them to, a character they would like to role-play. In pairs, students write sentences about their characters . The sentences are compiled into a list for the narrator to say. Students also write a line of dialog for their character to say. They could also interact with their animal puppets.
Students then practice and perform the play.
The rest of the class plays the part of the sick child in bed as they watch the play. Invite other classes to see the play. Create an evaluation sheet for the audience to complete as they watch the play. Include questions about how well they understand the narrator, the skill of the puppeteers, and the overall quality of the show. Students provide and obtain information as they get ready to act out the story.