Use crafts to teach children more about theatrical arts. Create a stage and paper dolls picture. Cut a strip of brown construction paper to resemble a stage and glue it to a full sheet of black construction paper. Cut a curtain shape out of red construction paper and glue it to the scene. Create paper dolls, backdrops and props that can be taped and removed from the scene.
Engage children in creating props and backdrops for a live performance. Plan to put on a show for adults and friends, and get the children involved in all aspects of the process. Some children can create the backdrops while others work on costumes or props.
Create puppets and a puppet stage and let the children put on a puppet show. Create puppets using paper bags or create stick puppets by cutting an image out and attaching it to a craft stick. You can also make puppets out of socks or finger puppets by cutting off the fingertips of old gloves.
Make a puppet stage by cutting the side out of a box. Attach some fabric to the inside of the opening to provide a curtain, and let the children put on a show. The show can be based on a favorite book or story or can be written by the students.
Engage the children in games to help teach them more about the theater. Provide props for a group of first-grade students to use during an improvisational acting session. Have children come to the front of the class in pairs. Hand the children a prop and ask them to create a scene or story revolving around the prop. Props can include baskets, hats and stuffed animals.
Engage the children in a game of charades. Alphabet charades is an appropriate game for first-grade students. The teacher says, "I'm thinking of a word that starts with the letter ''A." Any student who thinks he knows the answer raises his hand and then must silently act out the word instead of saying the word.
Other theater-based activities can be used to teach first-grade students. Schedule a field trip to a local theater. Have a guide give the students a tour of the backstage and let them go up on stage too. Let children see what the stage looks like from various parts of the theater. Another activity to teach theater is to schedule the students to attend a live performance. Contact a local high school, college or theater to arrange a time for a visit.