Do you remember the old song "On Top of Spaghetti," based on the tune to the folk song "On Top of Old Smokey"? Children and adults have enjoyed it for many years. The lyrics begin: "On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed..." Yes, it's a silly story, but so fun. "On Top of Spaghetti –Again" adapts the lyrics to a 2-reader, Choral Readers Theater script or a fun partner play. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "On Top of Spaghetti–Again" Readers Theater provides fun fluency practice for groups of all ages, English Language Learners, and homeschoolers. This is the longer elementary version for grades 3-5. (The shorter version has a readability of grade 2.1.)
TIME: about 2 min. spoken (4 min. when sung)
CAST: 2 or 2 choral groups
TONE: light, fun
READABILITY: grade 4.4
On Top of Spaghetti–Again
Adapted for Readers Theater by Carol Montgomery ©2023
Pasta: On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese,
Parmesan: I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed.
Pasta: It rolled off the table, and onto the floor.
Parmesan: And, then my poor meatball...
Pasta and Parmesan: Rolled out of the door!
Pasta: It rolled in the garden and under a bush.
Parmesan: And, then my poor meatball...
Pasta and Parmesan: Was nothing but mush.
Pasta: The mush was as tasty as tasty could be,
Parmesan: And, then my poor meatball...
Pasta and Parmesan: Grew into a tree!
Pasta: The tree was all covered with meatballs galore,
Parmesan: From one lonely meatball
Pasta and Parmesan: That rolled out the door!
Parmesan: You want more?
Pasta & Parmesan: Okay!
Parmesan: On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese,
Pasta: I lost my poor meatball...
Pasta & Parmesan: When somebody sneezed!
Parmesan: It rolled off the table, and onto the floor.
Pasta: And, then my poor meatball...
Pasta & Parmesan: Rolled out of the door!
Parmesan: It rolled in the garden and under a bush.
Pasta: And then my poor meatball...
Pasta & Parmesan: Was nothing but mush.
Parmesan: The mush was as tasty as tasty could be
Pasta: And early next summer...
Pasta & Parmesan: It grew to a tree.
Parmesan: The tree was all covered with beautiful moss
Pasta: It grew great big meatballs...
Pasta & Parmesan: And tomato sauce!
Pasta: So...
Parmesan: If you eat spaghetti all covered with cheese...(continued)
***Click the arrow below to download the printable PDF "On Top of Spaghetti–Again (Full Version)" for elementary students, English Language Learners, homeschoolers, or fun gatherings of all ages.
Here is the link to the easy primary version:
"On Top of Spaghetti–Again" adapted for Choral Readers Theater or partner plays.
