Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[For Elementary Schools] Recommended Exhibits and Recreational Activities for a Cultural Festival

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

One of the events elementary school students look forward to is the cultural festival.

Sometimes it’s held under a unique name like “Friendship Festival” or includes the school’s name as in “◯◯ Showcase.”

This article is perfect for an elementary school cultural festival!

It introduces activities and recreations that the whole class can enjoy together.

You’ll find a variety of ideas—from performances you can do in the classroom to recreations suited for larger spaces like the gym or school grounds.

If you’re having trouble deciding on an idea, feel free to use these as a reference.

[For Elementary Schools] Recommended Booths and Recreational Activities for Cultural Festivals (41–50)

Slide presentation

Kaminishi Elementary School Learning Presentation, 3rd and 4th Grades: “The Secret of Peanuts” — Reiwa 4 (2022) ~ School Activities on Tanegashima

Slide presentation

It’s important not just to keep what you’ve learned to yourself but also to share it with others; doing so can motivate you to deepen your learning.

This piece focuses on how to present your learning—specifically, using slides to capture your audience’s attention.

If you cram every detail you researched into your slides, they become hard to read, so it’s best to show only the broad points and explain the details verbally.

Let’s think about how to balance slides and speech, and how to make sure people will listen.

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Tambourine Ensemble Piece

[Tambourine Ensemble Piece] For upper elementary grades – Music recital: “Happiness Tambourina” [Composed by Akiko Yamamoto]

Tambourine Ensemble Piece

A tambourine makes sound in simple ways, like hitting or shaking it.

While keeping the rhythm on a tambourine, try striking a pose together with everyone.

It’s also fun to play the tambourine while doing a wave—sitting or standing in a line one after another.

If all the children perform with smiles, a cheerful atmosphere will fill the venue.

Watching such a tambourine ensemble is sure to lift people’s spirits.

Having someone on drums as well would make it even more exciting.

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Instrumental ensemble

For 5th–6th Graders: Que Sera Sera / Mrs. GREEN APPLE [Instrumental Ensemble for Elementary School Students – Full Performance] Rocket Music KGH583

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.

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samurai period drama

Learning Presentation 9: Mito Komon

samurai period drama

I don’t think many elementary school kids watch period dramas, but a “period drama” production seems like an idea that would go over very well with grandparents’ generation.

In period dramas, good and evil are clearly defined, so the stories are surprisingly easy for children to follow.

It’s also amusing to see kids play the stereotypical crooked magistrate because of the fun contrast, and they’d probably be thrilled to practice the classic sword-fighting scenes.

Period dramas can be a great chance to learn about history and Japanese culture, so if a regular play isn’t generating much excitement, definitely consider making this your project.

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English play

[English Education at a Private Elementary School] Full Coverage of an All-English Drama Performance! Kyoto Notre Dame Elementary School

English play

To communicate with people around the world, English has become indispensable, hasn’t it? Instead of focusing on reading and writing, how about trying an English play that emphasizes speaking? Performing a play while speaking English tests your ability to concentrate on doing two tasks at once.

To make it easy for the audience to follow, we recommend choosing a well-known story, like a folktale, and letting them notice how much the impression changes when it’s performed in English.

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