Take 5

Grades K-5    The issues: Healthy Habits

SYNOPSIS

   Introduction:  Professor Junkit and his canine companion, Couch    Potato, are on a mission to create junk-food addicts. They have    almost converted their latest victim, a young boy named Sammy, but       he has some positive influences in his life, too. His friend, Penelope    Eatright, and his gym teacher, Mrs. Fit, introduce him to the five food    groups and try to steer him back to the path of healthy eating.

   Scene One:  Professor Junkit and his reluctant assistant, Couchy,    introduce us to Sammy and his overworked, stressed out mom, Samantha. Sammy is insisting that he does not have time for a healthy breakfast, and Samantha, between cell phone calls and searching for everything she needs to start her day, agrees. Penelope arrives to try to get Sammy to walk to school with her and get some much-needed exercise, but Sammy is not interested. As the scene ends, Professor Junkit and Couchy follow Sammy to school to prevent him from making good food choices.

Scene Two:  Mrs. Fit’s health class has just begun. Mrs. Fit, with the assistance of star student Penelope, introduces Sammy to the five healthy food groups: Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Milk, and Meat and Beans/Proteins. Professor Junkit can’t be seen, but his hold on Sammy is obvious as poor Sammy struggles to grasp the concept of healthy eating.

Scene Three:  It’s time for lunch! Penelope is again trying to convince Sammy to make positive choices—much to the dismay of Professor Junkit. Sammy opts for the vending machine, and Couchy appears in costume to bring him some junk. After a silent agreement with Penelope, Couchy refuses to give up the goods to Sammy. Penelope rewards Couchy with a healthy snack.

Scene Four:  Professor Junkit is back, this time armed with a “workout routine”. It looks like Sammy is getting closer and closer to joining Professor Junkit’s dangerous lifestyle…but at the last second, Couchy prevents Sammy from signing Junkit’s junk-food contract.

Scene Five:  Gym class with Mrs. Fit is next, and with the help of lots of audience participation, Sammy is introduced to some healthy exercise habits. Junkit sees Sammy exercising and having fun, and Penelope encouraging him to make smarter choices, and decides to take drastic action.

Scene Six:  Sammy is home alone after school, and is in the middle of a dilemma—healthy snack and play outside, or some junk food in front of a video game?

Scene Seven:  Professor Junkit has kidnapped Penelope, and is determined to brainwash her into joining his junk food club! Dressed as a hypnotic television, and with Penelope in chains, it appears that he’s won this one…but Couchy comes to the rescue and runs to inform Sammy of Penelope’s dilemma. Sammy tries to power up with a candy bar, but finds out that quick energy in that form comes quickly and leaves quickly! Sammy and Couchy finally make it to Junkit’s lair and, with the help of the audience, defeat Junkit and free Penelope.

Scene Eight:  Sammy and his mom are ready to start making some healthy food choices, including exercising their new family pet, Couch Potato.