Someone Should

Setting: Anywhere Elementary School, the hallway. This rather new school building has large carpeted hallways with great lighting and nice big windows. In the middle of the hallway is unsightly litter strewn here and there. It is a few minutes after dismissal on a Friday afternoon.

Two fifth graders walk through the hall:

Boy I: What a mess! I can’t believe the trash in this hallway.
Boy II: You said it. They should pick up this gross mess. Who dumped all this litter here anyway?
Boy I: I don’t know but someone should pick it up. It’s disgusting.
Boy II: Let’s get going, or I’ll be late for practice.

Three teachers walk through the hall next.

Teacher I: Oh my goodness someone should tell the principal about this mess.
Teacher II: I just can’t understand why these kids are so slovenly.
Teacher III: You wonder what their bedrooms look like. Can’t we get someone to pick this litter up?
Teacher II: We must bring this problem up at our next staff meeting. Someone should do something about this.
Teacher I: Someone should, but I’m late for an appointment. Have a nice weekend!

Two administrators come down the hall next.

Administrator I: We can’t have our buildings looking like this. Someone should make a report about this trashy hallway.
Administrator II: It hasn’t been called to my attention before, but you’re right. This hallway is a disaster. Someone should get on this problem right away.
Administrator I: How does your schedule look for next week?
Administrator II: I could squeeze a meeting in next Wednesday.
Administrator I: Great! Let’s plan to discuss how someone should alleviate this problem.

Someone Should

One kindergartner is walking down the hall after school.

Kindergartner: Wow, what a mess. It does look yucky. I guess it wouldn’t take long to pick it up. It really isn’t hard to do because the trash can is just a few steps away. I’ll just quickly do it and go home. There, that looks better. The first thing I’ll do when I get home is wash my hands!

Suggestion: Do a reader’s theater with this script, having students read the different parts.
After they feel comfortable with their parts, the students might want to perform the script
for a younger class.

At the end of the performance, performers and audience participants may pair up and talk about how this school episode showed philanthropy at work. Students may want to apply this scenario to their own school hallways.

Students can realize that by performing this little play and instructing the younger students they have practiced philanthropy as well.