The Best Christmas
Pageant Ever
Study Guide and Supplemental Materials
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever By Barbara Robinson
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
School Performances: November 4, 9, 10 and 11, 2005 , at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. daily
Public Performance: November 13, 2005 at 2:30 p.m.
Performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are at the Paramount Center for the Arts.
Performances run approximately one hour and ten minutes.
Dear Educator,
We are excited that you have chosen to include Theatre Bristol’s
production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever as part of your
fall curriculum! This classic Christmas comedy is one that we
all can relate to.
As you prepare for your visit, please use the enclosed materials
to enhance your students experience with the play. I hope you
find this information helpful. Please feel free to adapt the suggested
materials for activities or discussion with your students. You
are invited to make copies of this study guide for fellow teachers
as well as your students.
We look forward to seeing you at the theatre and hope you
enjoy your time with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!
Sincerely,
Theatre Bristol Staff
Theatre Bristol continues in our tradition of providing the theatre experience to children with our Children’s Theatre Series. Our performances reach more than 25,000 children each year from 60 school districts and five states. Performances are possible through sponsorship by corporations, individuals, season ticket sales and souvenir program advertisements. The performances will transport children of all ages to magical faraway lands, through the pages of history and literature to amazing times and cultures… and we want you to join us!
Media Sponsors: Bristol Herald Courier, Charter Media
Teachers: Just a Reminder!
1. Parent Chaperones are not seated until all school groups are
seated. They sit separately in the school VIP seating area on
the sides and rear of the theatre– not with your class.
2. No babes in arms, please. Your cooperation is requested. Performances
are for school children.
3. Reservation changes may be made by the lead teacher only.
4. Confirmation cards must be returned by the date indicated.
5. Please make every effort to arrive on time, no later than 9:15
for the 9:30 show or 11:15 for 11:30 show. With your help, we
will start on time!
Theatre Bristol is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization whose activities are made possible in part by generous financial support from the National Endowment for the Arts; Tennessee Arts Commission; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Johnson City Area Arts Council; Rose Center & Council for the Arts; City of Bristol, Tennessee; City of Bristol, Virginia; and corporations, foundations and individuals throughout the region. Theatre Bristol is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.
Synopsis of the
Story
The character of Beth Bradley serves as the narrator of the story.
Beth’s mother, Grace, gets roped into directing the annual
church Christmas pageant when the regular director, Mrs. Armstrong,
breaks her leg. Unfortunately, the problems for Grace are just
beginning. None of the children in the church want to star in
the play– except for the Herdmans.
All six Herdman children, described by Beth as “the worst
kids in the whole history of the world”, originally came
to the church because they heard they could get free refreshments
after the service. After they bully their way in the lead roles
in the play, it becomes apparent to Mrs. Bradley that they have
never heard the Christmas story.
After Mrs. Bradley tells them the story of the Nativity, the
children pour all of their energy into the play. However, their
interpretation of the story is not the traditional version. They
equate the wise men with welfare workers, regard the inn as a
motel and portray the Angel of the Lord as a comic book hero.
Many people from the community show up, expecting the mischievous
children to sabotage the play, but are surprised to learn that
they fully understand the meaning of the story. Despite the comic
mayhem, the pageant is a huge success due to the sincere effort
of the Herdman children.
Program Objective
The main objective of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is to teach
children not to judge others. The Herdman children overcame their
reputation with a positive attitude and a spirit of giving.
About The Story
Barbara Robinson’s hilarious comedy, The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever, has quickly become a holiday classic. Initially written
as a short story for McCall’s magazine, it generated such
enthusiasm that the magazine, for the first time in history, ran
the story twice. In 1972, she developed the story into a book,
which met with great success. The paperback, published in 1972,
has sold more than one million copies. In 1983, the story was
first published in play form and also released as a made-for-television
movie. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was named an ALA notable
book for the years 1971-1975.
Vocabulary
Here are some words associated with the story. Have your students
discuss what each word means and how it relates to the story.
ancestor - a person from whom one is descended
census - the act of counting the people and
evaluating their property for taxation
decree - an official order or decision, by a
government, etc.
espoused - betrothed, married or engaged
frankincense - valuable gum resin from
various East African trees, burned as incense in
ancient times
improvisation - to speak, sing or play without any prior preparation
manger - trough or box to hold hay for horses or cattle to eat
myrrh - valuable, fragrant gum resin from shrubs in East Africa,
also burned as incense in
ancient times
narrator - one who tells a story in a play
Nativity - the birth of Jesus
pageant - a drama celebrating a historical event
sacrilegious - misusing or showing irreverence for something sacred
sentiment - an opinion or judgment, often
colored by emotion
swaddling clothes - long, narrow bands of cloth wrapped around
a newborn baby
truant - absent from school without permission
welfare - government aid due to poverty, etc.
Pre-Show Activities
Depending on age, have the students either read the book or watch the movie for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Have students research holiday traditions in other countries. Students can write short papers about the way other nations celebrate, or make a display to show Christmas celebrations in other cultures. Include pictures and some short written explanations on the display.
Christmas carols are a big part of the holidays. Have each
student write about a favorite carol. Ask questions such as: What
is this song about? What does it mean to you? Why is this carol
your favorite?
Many families have their own Christmas traditions. Have each student write a short essay about a family tradition. Let students share their papers with the rest of the class.
There are as many ways to say “Merry Christmas” as
there are ways to celebrate the holiday. Here are a few ways to
say “Merry Christmas” in other languages:
Vrolijke Kerstmis - Holland
Feliz Navidad - Spain
Joyeux Noel - France
Frochliche Weihnachten - Germany
Tin Hao Nian - China
Gelukkige Kersfeesen - South Africa
Buon Natale - Italy
Mele Kalikimaka - Hawaii
Kala Christougena - Greece
Post-Show Activities
What would the story have been like if it had been told from Imogene’s point of view? Have the students discuss how she might have seen the other characters and the pageant as a whole. Or have students write a pretend interview with Imogene as she tells what “really” happened at the pageant.
Most children know kids like the Herdmans. Perhaps there are some children in their class or neighborhood who act like the Herdmans do. Discuss how hurtful it can be to be seen as an outsider. Have students write about how they think it would feel to be disliked by other children. Then have the students brainstorm things that they can do to make other children feel welcome.
Have students imagine that they are costumers for “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. What would each character’s costume look like? Let students draw pictures of the characters in their costumes that they designed.
Leroy, Claude and Ollie thought it was silly to bring frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Instead they brought the gift of a ham. Discuss what frankincense and myrrh are and then ask the students if they think ham was a better gift. What if the birth of Jesus happened this year? Have students write a short paper about what gift they would give to the baby Jesus.
The Herdmans drastically changed the Christmas pageant, but they did not change the message that the Christmas story presents. Take any familiar story or historical event and have students work together to reenact it, changing only the details of the story. Let the student choose to make the reenactment humorous or serious.
What was your favorite part of the show? Have your students
draw pictures of their favorite scene or character and send them
to us, so that we can put them up in our front window. OR have
your students send their drawings, letters or essays about the
play to the author! Her address is:
Mrs. Barbara Robinson
c/o Avon Books
1790 Broadway
New York, New York 10019
Suggestions for Further Reading
My Brother Louis Measures Worms by Barbara Robinson
The Best School Year Ever (sequel to Pageant) by Barbara Robinson
The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Web Sites
www.christmas.com/worldview/
This Web site is great! It offers music, stories, traditions
and recipes for cultures all around the world. There is also a
section that teaches students how to say “Merry Christmas”
in many languages.
www.teachervision.fen.com/page/3865.html
This Web site is an excellent extension of this study guide.
It offers essay topics, project ideas and has several tests with
material from the play.
A Guide to Appropriate Behavior at the Theatre
Here at Theatre Bristol, we think attendance at a live theatrical event is not only exciting, it is a privilege. As such, it demands certain behavior. Children may act as they wish in their own homes. When guests come into your home, you want for them to enjoy themselves, but you expect them to follow the rules of your house. For those of us at Theatre Bristol, the theatre is our home and you are our valued guests! We ask that you, your guest, obey the rules of our home. Consideration is the key word. Just give others in the audience the same consideration that you expect of them, and everyone will have a great time!
1. Please, no talking during the play. When the lights go dim or completely out, it’s hard to sit quietly. But in the theatre, the lights always come right back up, usually on a new scene! Don’t be afraid, just sit quietly and wait a moment and the play will continue.
2. Please don’t move around or change seats.
3. Please go to the bathroom before the show begins.
4. NO FOOD, GUM OR DRINKS ALLOWED IN THE THEATRE AT ANY TIME.
5. No cameras, video or audio recording allowed.
6. Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and watch alarms.
7. Please DO laugh, clap and otherwise let the actors know that you enjoy the show!
Celebrate Theatre Bristol’s 40th Anniversary
Season!
Children’s Theatre Series 2005-2006 Season
(all show dates and times subject to change)
Rumpelstiltskin
September 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23, 2005
At Theatre Bristol’s Art Space
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
November 4, 9, 10 and 11, 2005
At the Paramount Center for the Arts
I Never Saw Another Butterfly
April 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2006
At the Paramount Center for the Arts
Auditions: February 27 and 28, 2006 at 7 p.m.
Hansel and Gretel
May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, 2006
At the Paramount Center for the Arts
Auditions: March 27 and 28, 2006 at 7 p.m.