Recommended performance ideas for elementary school (middle grades) cultural festivals and learning presentations
When children reach the middle grades of elementary school, they start looking forward to the performances at school arts festivals and learning presentations! It’s a great chance to create wonderful memories together through activities like chorus, theater, and dance.
Many teachers and students probably wonder, “What kind of performance should we do?” Here, we introduce recommended ideas for school arts festivals and learning presentations.
It’s important to come up with ideas that make the most of your class’s unique character.
Work together through discussion and create a presentation that everyone can enjoy while showcasing your class’s individuality!
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[Elementary School] Recommended Performance Ideas for Upper Grades at School Arts and Learning Presentations (41–50)
piano
If you have experience learning piano, performing a piano piece is highly recommended.
Playing popular J-pop songs or tunes that are trending at school is sure to get everyone excited.
Doing a duet with a friend who can play piano would also be unique and a great way to hype things up.
Pocky Dance
The “Pocky Dance” that was performed in the Pocky commercials—many of you might find it nostalgic, right? Today’s elementary school kids may not be as familiar with it, but it’s a really fun dance with lively choreography.
These days, many elementary schoolers take dance lessons, and dance performances are common at events.
Dancing is also great for boosting class unity.
If you get the audience to clap along, the whole venue will get energized—how about giving it a try?
Recorder Ensemble
Recorder ensembles are highly recommended for third- and fourth-graders who are just starting to learn the recorder.
Having everyone play the same notes is fine, but splitting into groups and adding harmony is even better! Just like with singing, it can be challenging at first because students may get pulled off by other parts until they get used to it.
But when the harmonies come together beautifully, the result is a wonderfully satisfying performance.
Not only will parents be impressed—thinking, “I can’t believe they can do this!”—but it also sets a great example for the younger grades.
puppet show
One way to present a story is through puppetry.
While it’s similar to theater in that you perform roles, its distinctive feature is literally manipulating puppets while providing the voices.
Another highlight of puppetry is that you can enjoy the process of making the puppets.
Imagining the characters’ appearances from the story and creating the puppets stimulates your imagination.
It also brings out originality, which naturally fosters attachment and will likely make your performance more passionate.
Including the choice of which story to perform, have a lively discussion together.
chorus
The classic “chorus” for a school performance requires almost no materials, and with simple, steady practice you can achieve high quality.
It’s a presentation that clearly showcases the children’s efforts to audiences of all ages.
It’s also nice that there’s no limit on the number of participants.
If you think just singing isn’t interesting enough, why not add some originality by creating choreography for everyone or coordinating costumes?
ensemble
“Ensemble performances” are a staple at school arts festivals and the like.
Since these are cultural presentations, ensembles may be the most well-received attraction.
Students often handle keyboard harmonicas and recorders, but the other instruments in the music room are appealing too.
They can experience a wide range of sounds and learn playing techniques and the differences between tones.
It helps develop a sense of rhythm and pitch, and above all, it lets the students engage lively and enjoyably.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if going to the music room every day became something to look forward to?
Instrumental ensemble
If your whole class wants to put on a presentation together, how about trying an instrumental ensemble? Those of you in the upper grades have probably done it a few times already, but since this is a special opportunity, try picking a slightly more challenging piece from among your favorite songs.
Of course, the practice will be tough, but the thrill when the music comes together beautifully is truly amazing, and working as a group on a single piece will become a wonderful memory.
It won’t succeed without unity, so I think it will also be a great chance to improve communication.