drama 4th grade

Here is a simple, fun, and easy-to-produce drama script for 4th graders. It focuses on clear characters, physical comedy, and a simple moral about asking for help. Title: The Great Homework Heist Characters: MAX: A very smart, slightly forgetful inventor. (Main role) GAIA: Max's best friend. She is organized and loves nature. PENELOPE: A "genius" who wants to win the Science Fair at all costs. (The "villain" but not scary) BENNY: A goofy, enthusiastic kid who loves snacks and simple solutions. Setting: Max's messy bedroom, which is half-lab. A sign on the wall says: "MAX'S INVENTOR LAB." (Props: A desk cluttered with papers, a cardboard box labeled "TIME-TELLING MACHINE," a jar of "Stardust" [glitter], a giant clock with moving hands.) (Scene 1) MAX: (Rummaging through papers frantically) Oh no! Where is it? Where is it!? My Science Fair project! The "Self-Watering Plant Pot System"! It was right here! GAIA: (Enters carrying a real, slightly droopy plant) Max! You said you'd help me water my fern! And you said you'd finish your project! Are you ready for the due date... TOMORROW? MAX: Due date!? (Gasp) I thought it was next week! I must have... misplaced it. GAIA: Misplaced it? Max, it's a giant pot with a tube system! How do you misplace that? MAX: (Points to the cardboard box) I got distracted! I invented a new machine! The "Chrono-Chef 3000"! It tells you the time and makes you a sandwich! GAIA: But a machine that does two things is twice as likely to break. Like you and your project! Let's find it! (They start looking under the desk, in the closet.) PENELOPE: (Slinks in through the door she left open a crack) Hello, Max. Having a little trouble? (She holds a shiny blue ribbon behind her back) I see you're not ready for the Science Fair. Such a shame. I, on the other hand, have my "Sound-Proof Headphones for Cats" ready. It's genius. MAX: (Nervously) It's just a little... organizing issue. PENELOPE: (Eyes a glint on the floor) What's this? (She picks up a single, strange-looking screw) Is this from your "Self-Watering Pot" system, by any chance? (She smiles a mischievous smile. Its clear she took the project!) (Scene 2) MAX: (To Gaia, after Penelope leaves) She stole it! She must have! She takes the screw and now she has the whole plan! GAIA: (Looks at the screw, then at the "Chrono-Chef 3000") Wait a minute... Max, look at this screw. The head is weird. Its a square. It matches the square hole on the side of your Chrono-Chef! BENNY: (Enters, munching on a bag of chips) Hey guys! Whats the plan? Is it snack time? My robot wanted a break. MAX: (Ignoring Benny) I don't get it, Gaia. My plant pot doesn't have square holes! GAIA: But Max... maybe you didn't build a plant pot. What if you built a Time-Telling Snack Machine by accident and called it a plant pot because you were thinking about dinner? MAX (Looks at the cardboard box, then at the giant clock. He turns a dial on the box. It makes a "Whirrr" sound and a green plant start to poke out of the top!) No way! It was an accidental discovery! This isn't a plant pot, it's a Plant-Animation Device! GAIA: Genius! You were so focused on making a "real" project, you forgot you already made an awesome one! You didn't lose a project, you discovered a new one! BENNY: (Looking at the plant, then at his chips) Can it make the plant dance to a jingle? That'd be cool. (Scene 3) PENELOPE: (Storms in, holding a very wet, muddy box) You tricked me! I snuck your project! It was just a box of... of DIRT! There was no machine! What is this? (She shakes the box, mud splatters her face.) MAX: (Smiling now) That's not my project. My real project was in here the whole time. (He pats the Chrono-Chef 3000) It's a Plant-Animation Device. It uses time and stardust. And Penelope, you don't need to steal to win. You just need a good idea! PENELOPE: (Wipes mud from her face, looking embarrassed) I... I just wanted the blue ribbon so badly. I didn't think my cat headphones were good enough. GAIA: Everyone's ideas are good enough if they try their best. But stealing isn't trying your best. It's cheating. PENELOPE: (Looks down) You're right. I'm sorry, Max. I won't do it again. MAX: It's okay. (Looks at his machine) Now, let's go win that Science Fair! Or at least get a good grade! And maybe a sandwich. My machine makes two things! (All characters cheer. Benny throws his chips in the air as confetti.) THE END**