The Arts · Grade 1

Active learning ideas

The Magic of Performance: Ensemble Work

Active learning works for ensemble work because young performers need to feel the responsibility of the group to build trust. When students move, speak, and react together, they experience firsthand how each role matters in creating the whole story.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• TH:Pr6.1.1a

• 15–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 45 min · Small Groups

Role Play: The Three-Part Story

In small groups, students are given a simple prompt (e.g., 'Finding a lost kitten'). They must create three 'frozen pictures' representing the beginning, middle, and end, and then 'thaw' them into a short play.

What do you do with your eyes and ears to listen to your partner while you act together?

Facilitation Tip

During Role Play: The Three-Part Story, model how to stand in a circle so every student can see and be seen.

What to look for

Observe students as they rehearse a short sequence. Ask: 'Show me with your face how your character feels right now.' Then ask: 'What did your partner do that helped you know what to do next?'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Think-Pair-Share
• 15 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Audience Feedback

After watching a short performance, students tell a partner one thing they 'saw' and one thing they 'felt.' This helps them practice giving specific, kind, and helpful feedback to their peers.

Can you and a partner act out a short scene without talking, just using your body?

Facilitation Tip

In Think-Pair-Share: Audience Feedback, remind students that feedback starts with noticing what worked before offering suggestions.

What to look for

After a short performance, ask the audience: 'What was one thing the performers did with their bodies that helped you understand the story?' Then ask the performers: 'How did it feel when you and your partner were working together to tell the story?'

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Simulation Game
• 20 min · Whole Class

Simulation Game: The Ensemble Machine

Students stand in a circle and create a 'machine' where every person's movement and sound depends on the person next to them. If one person stops, the whole machine breaks, teaching the importance of teamwork.

How does it feel when everyone works together to tell the same story?

Facilitation Tip

For the Ensemble Machine simulation, count aloud to keep the rhythm steady and help students feel the connection between parts.

What to look for

Students work in pairs to create a short scene. After performing for each other, they use a simple checklist: 'Did my partner use their eyes to look at me?' 'Did my partner use their body to show how they felt?' Students give a thumbs up or down for each.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teaching ensemble work means emphasizing small moments over big gestures. Focus on posture, eye contact, and breathing to help students stay present. Avoid over-correcting individual choices; instead, guide students to respond to each other naturally. Research shows that when young performers feel safe, their creativity and cooperation grow.

Successful learning looks like students taking turns, listening for cues, and adjusting their actions based on their partners. They should speak clearly, use expressive faces and bodies, and respond naturally to each other without being prompted.

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Role Play: The Three-Part Story, watch for students who step back when it’s not their turn to speak.

  Pause the activity and ask pairs to point to the person who is speaking. Then, have the ‘background’ characters turn to face the speaker to show how every role supports the main action.

• During Think-Pair-Share: Audience Feedback, watch for students who give only critical comments.

  Provide sentence stems like, 'I noticed when you...' and 'I felt curious when...' to guide responses that focus on what helped the story.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Role Play
• Think-Pair-Share
• Simulation Game