r/Theatre•
smoovestone

What should I teach 5th graders??

Advice

I'm a high school theater director and I've been invited to teach theater at a Fine Arts Camp for elementary grade students for 1 week in June, but I'm kinda nervous because I never really work with young kids and I'm not exactly sure what this age group should be learning when it comes to theater. I'm friends with the director of the camp and they put me with the oldest students, outgoing 5th graders. It's 4 classes in the morning for 5 days, each class is 45 minutes. Everyday I'll see the same 4 groups of kids, but they'll rotate the groups each day, so that you don't see the same kids at the exact same time each day (the idea being some kids do better early mornings, some do better later mornings). Any advice on what skills I could teach each day or things that are pivotal to learn at that age? I'm assuming I should just mostly play theater games, but I want them to come away with some kind of theater knowledge as well. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Posted May 28, 2026, 10:52 AM UTC

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