A performance is when one or more students acts out a piece of writing, scene, or other happening. During the performance, the student(s) should emphasize their voice along and use props, if available. If props are not available, students can pretend that they are holding or have access to the items needed for their performance.
When planning a performance activity, decide on the following:
1. How long should the performance be?
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- Consider the content being acted up. If the content is short, such as a scene from a play or a dialogue between two historical figures, the performance should be shorter. If the content is longer, adding a parameter such as 3-5 minutes would be appropriate.
2. What should the audience be doing the performance?
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- The audience will likely be comprised of other students in the class. The audience should be engaged and paying attention to the performance. They can take notes on certain actions and phrases used during the performance. After it, the audience can provide feedback about what they liked and ideas for improvement.
3. How will the performance be assessed?
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- Teachers can set the expectations for the performance by sharing their evaluative criteria. Examples include if the performing students covered the content, used voice inflection and props as needed, and acted their role to the best of their ability.