Patterns in the Sky: Sun, Moon, and Stars (Musical Play)
New!
    • 15-minute musical play for grades K-3
    • Includes the script, teacher's guide, and audio recording (which contains a vocal and instrumental version of each song)
    • Simple to do - no music or drama experience needed!

    Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, this show teaches about the sun, moon, and stars with an emphasis on observable patterns.

    Please scroll down to read the script, listen to the songs, read reviews, and get all the details about the play (plot, curriculum/content, educational standards, and vocabulary).

    Item # Description Availability Qty Break Price Quantity
    PLAY - For individual teachers or directors
    Order 1 copy of play for each teacher/director who will be using it. Includes permission to print/photocopy for all participating actors. Mix and match 2 or more plays to get them for $35 each.
    PATT-PL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Play
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    PATT-PL-PRI
    Printed Version of Play
    - You will receive a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    PATT-PL-DUO
    Duo Version - Download AND Printed Book
    - You will receive 1) a PDF and MP3 files, and 2) a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $55.00
    $45.00
    SITE LICENSE VERSION OF PLAY - For whole schools or grade levels
    Order 1 site license per school/site. Includes permission to print/photocopy for all participating students AND teachers. Why a site license? Because it's cheaper than ordering 3+ individual copies of the play.
    PATT-SL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Site License
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1 $90.00
    PATT-SL-PRI
    Printed Version of Site License
    - You will receive 3 copies of the Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $90.00
    Extra/Replacement Audio Recordings
    PATT-AU-DIG
    Downloadable Audio Files
    - You will receive a ZIP file containing individual MP3s
    Download 1 $12.00
    PATT-AU-PRI
    Audio CD
    In Stock 1 - 9
    10+
    $12.00
    $6.00
    PATT-AU-DUO
    Downloadable Audio Files (MP3) + Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $20.00
    Sheet Music
    PATT-MU-DIG
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF)
    Download 1 $12.00
    PATT-MU-PRI
    Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $8.00
    PATT-MU-DUO
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF) + Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $16.00

    $0.00



    Can observation really help you understand the solar system? Sure, if you pay attention and take careful notes! In this short, easy show, a group of students learns all about the patterns of the sun, moon, and stars. With the help of some goofy characters -- the oh-so-serious "solar detectives" and the mysterious werechickens that transform when the moon is full -- they'll discover how orbits work, why we have seasons, where the sun goes at night, and why we can't see the stars during the day.

    Key Terms and Concepts

    Patterns in the Sky refers to and builds on students' familiarity with the following:

    • Sun, moon, and stars have observable patterns
    • Basics of scientific observation
    • Relationships between the sun, earth, and moon (orbits)
    • The sun's patterns; sunrise/sunset; daytime/night
    • The earth's tilt and the resulting seasons
    • The moon's patterns: phases, tides
    • The stars' patterns: visibility in day/night
    • Planets vs. stars

    Patterns in the Sky is a great complement to your curriculum resources in STEM and the solar system. And, like all of our plays, this show can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!

    Publication Information

    Author: Lisa Adams and John Heath (Book and Lyrics) and Mike Fishell (Music)
    ISBN: 978-1-886588-73-8
    © 2019 Bad Wolf Press, LLC

    Song Samples


    Casting

    From 8-40 students. All songs are sung by the entire cast. There are 20 parts for Students, each with a few lines, but these parts/lines can be distributed any way you like. One student can play several roles if needed, and individual roles can be doubled up.

    CHARACTERS:

    Students (20)
    Detectives (2)
    Wolves (2)

    Script

    This is the first third of the script.

    (CLASS enters and sings:)

      Song 1 - Listen now!

    There're patterns everywhere you look
    On carpets, flags, in every nook
    My socks have patterns that repeat
    To give me cool designer feet.

    Some actions can be patterns too
    If they're predictable to you
    "I don't like this pattern," Mom has said
    Each night when I won't go to bed.

    But my favorite regularities, it must be said
    Are right overhead...

    Patterns in the sky
    The stars and moon and sun
    Patterns in the sky
    Their race is never done.
    Regular as clockwork
    Can't help but wonder why
    Patterns in the sky.

    Today the sun will rise and set
    The same tomorrow, I will bet
    The moon looks awfully full these days
    But we all know that's just a phase.

    Patterns in the sky
    The stars and moon and sun
    Patterns in the sky
    Their race is never done.
    Regular as clockwork
    Can't help but wonder why
    Patterns in the sky.
    Patterns in the sky.

    (STUDENTS #1 and 2 enter. THEY are looking at each other, around the room, and up at the "sky," scratching their heads. STUDENTS #3 and 4, enter a moment later, holding notebooks.)

    STUDENT #3: Hey, what's wrong?

    STUDENT #1: We don't understand the assignment.

    STUDENT #2: Yeah, we're supposed to find patterns in the sky -- but every time we look, the sun and moon are in different places.

    STUDENT #1 (points at different places around the room): There, there, there, there, there!

    STUDENT #4: Where's your notebook?

    STUDENT #2: Uh, notebook?

    STUDENT #3: Yeah! You have to write down what you see and when. Then you can find the pattern.

    STUDENTS #1 and 2 (looking at each other): OHHHHHH.

    STUDENT #4: Taking careful notes is an important part of scientific observation.

    STUDENT #3 (holding up notebook): I've got that part down, but I can't figure out how the solar system actually works.

    STUDENT #1: Now that's a doozy.

    STUDENT #2: I hope you like spinny rides, because we're on one right now!

    (CLASS is divided into three groups -- SUN, EARTH, and MOON. THEY sing:)

      Song 2 - Listen now!

    SUN:
    Who's in the middle of the solar system?
    Me, the sun!
    OTHERS: You, the sun!
    Who brings the light that you are missin'?
    Me, the sun!
    OTHERS: You, the sun!

    CLASS:
    So raise your voices loud, my friends
    For all the warmth that it expends
    Yes raise your voices loud, my friends
    And spin spin spin around.

    EARTH:
    Who orbits all the way around the sun?
    Me, the earth!
    OTHERS: You, the earth!
    Who gives a place to live to everyone?
    Me, the earth!
    OTHERS: You, the earth!

    CLASS:
    So raise your voices loud, my friends
    For all those earthly dividends
    Yes raise your voices loud, my friends
    And spin spin spin around.

    Sun, Earth, and Moon have gravity
    That keeps them all in place
    Whirlin' in the universe
    With patterns we can trace

    MOON:
    Who orbits all the way around the earth?
    Me, the moon!
    OTHERS: You, the moon!
    Who's got the phases and creates the surf?
    Me, the moon!
    OTHERS: You, the moon!

    CLASS:
    So raise your voices loud, my friends
    Its moonbeams aren't just passing trends
    Yes raise your voices loud, my friends
    And spin spin spin around.
    And spin spin spin around.

    (STUDENTS #5 and 6 enter.)

    STUDENT #5 (holding head): All that spinning around makes me dizzy!

    STUDENT #6: Really?

    STUDENT #5: Well, actually...no. That's weird. If the earth is always spinning, why don't we feel dizzy?

    STUDENT #6: Because we're spinning right along with it...at almost a thousand miles per hour!

    STUDENT #5: Yikes! I hope we don't get a ticket.

    (2 DETECTIVES enter, holding up magnifying glasses in front of their noses. THEY don't see the STUDENTS.)

    STUDENT #6: Who are you?

    (DETECTIVES jump, startled)

    DETECTIVE #1: Oh! Shhhh -- we're undercover. Working on an important case.

    STUDENT #6: You're detectives?

    DETECTIVE #2: Not just any detectives.

    DETECTIVES (in unison): Solar detectives.

    DETECTIVE #1: It's serious work, snooping on the sun.

    DETECTIVE #2: We've been hired to find out where it goes at night.

    (This concludes the first one-third of the script.)

    Overall Customer Rating:
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    Customer Reviews: 1

    Magalia California

    Rating:
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    Pros:
    Cons:
    Science standards taught through puppetry!

    Bad Wolf Press + puppetry = equity. Fifth-grade science end of year exam is a woozy for students and teachers alike. I can rest easy knowing that my students can easily recall all the information covered by Patterns in the Sky production. Students sing lyrics as they write written responses during practice exams. For me producing a puppet show musical was complete new and took my teaching to the next level.
    YouTube Patterns in the Sky Cedarwood to see the production. Parents love it, students love it, school loves it. Just do it you will not regret it.
    review image   review image   review image  


    Common Core and Other National Standards

    Science

    • Next Generation Science Standard, Space Systems for Patterns and Cycles
    • National Science Content Standard D for K-4th

    Language Arts

    • Common Core Reading Standards for Literature: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Common Core Reading Standards: Foundational Skills:
      • K and 1st: Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Word Recognition
      • 2nd: Phonics and Word Recognition
      • 3rd
    • Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Common Core Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Common Core Standard 10: Range, Quality & Complexity: Range of Text Types for K-5th

    National Core Arts Standards



    Terms Related to Astronomy

    solar gravity astronomy sphere orbit circuit
    phases lunar nuclear reflect    

    General Vocabulary-Building

    nook designer predictable regularity clockwork doozy
    expend dividend undercover steady frontier reprise
    literally inquiry cumin oregano swoon mass
    luminous fret "influencer" "passing trend"    
    Number of questions: 0

    Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Wolf Products and Licensing

    How does your pricing and licensing work?

    A: In short: each teacher/director using the play should have a copy of it. That's it! Your purchase gives you the right to use the play with as many classes as you wish, to photocopy the script for your actors, and to put on as many performances as you wish. This one-time purchase gives you a lifetime license. See below for more information on site licenses (for 3+ teachers or whole schools).

    Q: What comes in the package?

    A: Every musical play comes with the script and a 12-page Teacher's Guide that provides lots of tips and advice for using the play from start to finish. It also includes the audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals. Sheet music is NOT included with the basic package, but it is available for $12. Extra/replacement CDs are also available for $12.

    Every non-musical play comes with the script and the 12-page Teacher's Guide.

    Q: I'm just one teacher putting on a play. If I use the play with multiple classes, do I have to purchase multiple licenses?

    A: No! Your purchase gives you a lifetime license to be used with as many actors and classes as you wish. If other teachers/directors wish to use the play as well, they will need to purchase their own licenses.

    Q: Do I need to purchase scripts for students?

    A: No! Your purchase includes permission to photocopy the script for your actors.

    Q: What is a "site license"? How do I know if I need one?

    A site license is the economical choice when a whole school or grade level wants to put on the same play. Instead of each teacher/director having to purchase a script, the school/site can purchase a site license. This comes with three copies of the play (or one digital download) and permission to make copies for any additional participating teachers, as well as all the actors. You do NOT need to purchase both a site license and individual copies of the play; just buy one or the other.

    Q: I understand that I can get two or more scripts for $35 each. Do they have to be the same play?

    Nope! The discount applies whether you are purchasing multiple copies of the same show or single copies of multiple shows.

    Q: What is the difference between the printed and digital versions? Which one should I get?

    There is no difference in terms of content. The printed version of a musical play comes with an audio CD in a plastic sleeve in the back of the book. The digital version comes with two downloadable files: the script (PDF format) and the songs (individual MP3 files compressed in ZIP format). The advantage of the digital version is that you will not pay shipping and you can start using it instantly. Please read the question following this one about the technical requirements for digital files.

    Non-musical plays are available in the form of a printed book or a PDF file.

    Q: What are the technical requirements for the digital version?

    1. You will need to have Adobe Reader (free) or another software application that can open PDF files.
    2. You will need to be able to open ZIP files. The vast majority of computers should be able to do this without difficulty. If you wish to download the music directly to your phone or tablet, you will need to download an app that will open ZIP files. Many free ones are available.
    3. You will need to have some kind of audio player (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) that will play MP3 files.

    Advanced technical knowledge is not required; but please note that we do not have the ability to offer technical support for issues related to digital files. If you are unsure, it is probably best to stick with the printed version.

    Q: What is your return/exchange policy?

    A: Bad Wolf proudly offers a 100% guarantee. You can always exchange a product for another or get a full refund. No time limits, no questions.

    Q: Is it OK if I edit the script?

    A: Yes! Consider the play to be a jumping-off point. You are always welcome to change or omit anything that doesn't work for your class, administration, or parents. You are welcome to rewrite lyrics, lines, or jokes -- or add your own! (The kids love doing this, by the way.)

    Q: How long does shipping take?

    A: We say that you should allow for one week within the U.S., but most orders are shipped the same day and arrive 1-3 days later. International orders usually take around two weeks to arrive.

    Q: Do I need to pay any performance royalties?

    A: As long as your admission price is less than $5 per ticket, you never need to pay performance royalties with a Bad Wolf show. If you decide to charge more than $5 a ticket, or if you are using one of our plays for a PAID workshop, camp, assembly, etc., pay only a low 1-2% royalty on gross revenues. See our royalty page to view the rates and pay.