Included in the Maltese Falcon Readers’ Theatre Unit:
269 page script divided among 20 chapters
27 comprehension questions with answers
50 multiple choice questions with answers
Who is Dashiell Hammett? 1 page biography
47 metacognitive questions for group discussion or independent work
12 book report choice board activities with rubric
Drawing conclusions about characters activity
Book review task
Student Success Criteria page
Student Friendly Goals page
Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist

The Maltese Falcon synopsis:
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett is a hard-boiled crime novel following private detective Sam Spade as he navigates multiple murders and a dangerous hunt for a priceless jewel-encrusted statuette. Set in San Francisco, the story kicks off when a femme fatale hires Spade’s agency, leading to a chain of bloody events. What has Spade gotten himself into? Find out in The Maltese Falcon deluxe readers’ theatre unit!

Chapter 1: Spade and Archer - 10 pages 4 characters
Chapter 2: Death in the Fog - 16 pages 4 characters
Chapter 3: Three Women - 11 pages 5 characters
Chapter 4: The Black Bird - 16 pages 6 characters
Chapter 5: The Levantine - 7 pages 2 characters
Chapter 6: The Undersized Shadow - 11 pages 4 characters
Chapter 7: G in the Air - 13 pages 5 characters
Chapter 8: Horse Feathers - 10 pages 5 characters
Chapter 9: Brigid - 4 pages 2 characters
Chapter 10: The Belvedere Divan - 14 pages 8 characters
Chapter 11: The Fat Man - 13 pages 3 characters
Chapter 12: Merry-Go-Round - 12 pages 8 characters
Chapter 13: The Emperor’s Gift - 10 pages 2 characters
Chapter 14: La Paloma - 10 pages 3 characters
Chapter 15: Every Crackpot - 12 pages 5 characters
Chapter 16: The Third Murder - 13 pages 4 characters
Chapter 17: Saturday Night - 14 pages 9 characters
Chapter 18: The Fall Guy - 14 pages 5 characters
Chapter 19: The Russian’s Hand - 19 pages 6 characters
Chapter 20: If They Hang You - 12 pages 4 characters

Mr. Marvel’s Musings:
Sam and a few other characters smoke cigarettes.
Some profanity. No F-bombs.
Some scuffles are had in the story. Punching. Guns drawn.
I have read this unit with high school aged students and with adults. The unit lasted for 2 months and we completed all the activities. If you choose to exclude some activities, then your teaching duration may vary.

Do not fear the reader’s theater format. Students love these adapted stories because they are listening to the story and they are a part of the story by playing a character within the story.

Reader’s theatre inspires reluctant readers to join in the fun. The strongest and most advanced readers in your class will encourage other students to raise their hand and participate in the story. I also use reader’s theatre to add to my drama marks.

I hope you, and your students enjoy reading The Maltese Falcon and continue to do so for many years.
Excelsior!
Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre