[Idea] A roundup of recommended performances for lower grades at school arts festivals and learning presentations
School arts festivals and learning presentations are big events that kids, teachers, and parents can all enjoy together!
The choice of performance really affects how exciting the event feels.
Many teachers may wonder, “Should we go with classic songs or a play?” or “We want to try something different this year, but what would be good?”
Here, we introduce fun performance ideas suitable for lower-grade students.
We recommend choir pieces, simple dances, and short plays.
For this year’s festival, let’s plan performances that make everyone smile and create the best memories!
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[Ideas] A roundup of recommended performances for lower grades at school arts and learning presentations (11–20)
fashion show
Many elementary school students—especially girls—are particular about the clothes they wear, aren’t they? In recent years, dressing up for Halloween parties has become mainstream, and I’m sure children have had the experience of becoming characters or ghosts.
So how about putting on a “fashion show” as a performance? You could upcycle unwanted clothes, or make outfits using plastic bags or newspaper.
Before making the clothes, researching traditional folding methods or fabrics from the local area could also be a great learning experience.
hula dance
Don’t you think hula dancing is a perfect act for a school performance? With its graceful movements and cheerful music, it brings smiles to both the children and the audience.
As they learn the choreography, they also develop cooperation and concentration, and I’m sure they’ll present themselves confidently on the big day.
It’s also appealing because it gives you a refreshing feeling, like being on a beach in Hawaii.
With creative costumes or some call-and-response, it’ll be even more exciting—no doubt about it! Let’s join our hearts and put on a wonderful hula dance together!
Japanese taiko drum
Taiko drums are perfect for showing off a cool side with powerful sound—proving you’re not the same as you were back in kindergarten or preschool! Through performing, kids build their bodies and develop a sense of rhythm, making it ideal for lower elementary grades who are still growing.
Since it’s an instrument that isn’t often covered in regular music classes, it also helps build cultural knowledge.
It’s a great idea to give students chances to play different kinds of drums—large drums, small drums, and ones carried while performing.
Let’s play energetically with all our might and give Mom and Dad a big surprise!
Treasure Hunt
How about trying a “treasure hunt” game where you place puzzles in various spots around the school, solve them, and use the answers to find the treasure’s location? You start by solving the first puzzle, then use that answer to go to the next place, where another puzzle awaits; you keep repeating this until you reach the final destination, where the treasure is hidden.
Having some kind of prize really gets everyone excited (haha).
Learning presentation in quiz format
This activity lets you enjoy what you learned at school and in extracurricular lessons in the form of a quiz, making it a very meaningful showcase for reflecting on learning outcomes.
It nurtures thinking skills not only for those answering, but also for those creating the quiz, since they review what they’ve learned so far and consider what kind of questions to make and how to make it fun.
From third grade onward, the number of subjects increases, and there are plenty of elements that lend themselves to quiz questions.
This isn’t just a way for parents and teachers to appreciate the children’s learning achievements; it also gives the students themselves a renewed opportunity to study as a review of the past three or four years.
Jump Rope Presentation
For lower grades who’ve only been in school for one or two years, jump rope is a great way to show how they’ve been growing! Start with basic forward and backward jumps, then try criss-cross and side swing jumps, and if they can, have them take on double unders too.
It’s also cool to combine different techniques to music, or include performance elements that aren’t just jumping.
Parents who worry whether their kids are doing well at elementary school can feel reassured when they see them working hard and showing what they’ve learned!
[Idea] Recommended Performances for Lower Grades: School Arts and Learning Presentation Roundup (21–30)
musical
When it comes to school performances, plays are the standard choice, but how about trying something a bit different and putting on a musical? The big difference from a play is that, instead of delivering lines, you express yourself by singing.
It might feel a little embarrassing, but it’s more impactful than a play, and choosing the songs is fun too.
For kids who are good at singing, it’s a great chance to shine—and maybe even land the lead role!