[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!
- Classic plays performed by elementary school students: recommended works roundup
- Performances that liven up an elementary school thank-you party! A collection of ideas everyone can enjoy
- [For Elementary Schools] Recommended Exhibits and Recreational Activities for a Cultural Festival
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- Performances for a farewell party for sixth graders: from funny skits to moving ideas
- [Middle School] Cultural Festival Attractions: A roundup of popular exhibits, games, and stage performances
- [One-Shot Gag] A roundup of sure-fire skits that will definitely get elementary school kids excited!
- Recommended performance ideas for elementary school (middle grades) cultural festivals and learning presentations
- Hidden talents even elementary school kids can do! A collection of performance ideas that will liven up any event
- A roundup of street performance ideas to liven up year-end and New Year parties
- [Hilarious] One-Liner Gags That Kill at Parties and Events
- One-liner gags that will have your school in stitches: a collection of bits to make you the class favorite.
- Ideas for Performances That Inspire Laughter and Tears: Perfect for Upper Grades at School Arts and Learning Showcases
[Idea] Recommended Performances for Lower Grades: School Arts and Learning Presentation Roundup (21–30)
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?
scientific experiment
While dances and ensemble performances are popular at school festivals, I’m sure some people still find academic presentations hard to give up.
If you want students to enjoy engaging with their studies, how about trying a science experiment? It certainly supports science learning, but more than anything, it lets them experience the fascinating wonders of science that are different from everyday life, and I think it will make their eyes light up.
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?
Calligraphy performance
How about doing a calligraphy performance on a large sheet of poster paper, along with words of gratitude to your parents, teachers, and friends? You can use a regular brush, but using a large performance brush lets you write bold, oversized characters that make a strong impact and are easy for a big audience to see.
You can write anything you like on the paper, but consider writing your class or grade’s goals, or a message you want to convey to the audience.
Performing with music playing is also recommended!
Kendama performance
A kendama performance that unleashes a variety of tricks in sync with music.
It’s more challenging than simply performing kendama tricks, making it perfect for upper-grade elementary students who, over their long years in school, have learned to do many things.
Of course, kendama skills are essential, but it’s also important to decide which parts of the music each trick will match.
If there are formation changes, you also need to plan where to move and what to do with the kendama at that moment.
Kids who are good at kendama, kids who excel with music and dance—work together to create a single stage performance.
Recorder Ensemble
A great recommendation for third graders who are starting to learn the recorder is a recorder ensemble.
Having everyone play the same notes is fine, but dividing into groups and adding harmony is highly recommended! Just like with singing, it can be challenging at first because you might be influenced by the other parts, but when you can produce beautiful harmony, the performance feels wonderful.
Not only will parents be moved, thinking, “I can’t believe they can do this,” but it will also serve as a model for the younger grades!
wotagei
As otaku culture has spread, “wotagei”—fans cheering through choreographed dance moves in sync with idols and other performers—has become popular too! It’s a different style from the dances you’ve done at school sports days, so for fifth- and sixth-graders who’ve learned various things already, it’s a great “advanced” option to perform at events like school arts festivals.
Penlights and glow sticks are inexpensive, so be sure to get some.
Try dancing to songs that actually feature wotagei or to trending tracks, combining choreography unique to wotagei!