Also known as "improv," this lesson is a staple of any acting class. It encourages creativity and provides an experience that all the children will enjoy. However, do not initiate this without providing guidance. Provide the students with an extraordinary scenario and have them act it out any way they choose. For example, you could present them with a situation in which a group of surgeons are carving a turkey. One student can be the turkey while the rest play as surgeons, using imaginary tools -- such as scalpels -- and medical jargon to perform the process.
The Idea Game teaches the children about the value of input. This game essentially tells children that they should not be afraid to make suggestions about changing the character traits, lines or even the story, to a certain degree. Give each student a turn to propose a brief activity and then have the rest of the group say "That sounds like a great idea" and join in. For example, the student might say something like "Let's say the alphabet backwards." The rest of the group then responds with the phrase mentioned above and performs the activity with her. This is especially useful for shy children who have good ideas, but are afraid to voice them.
Body language is a component of acting that needs to be addressed. A scene is not very convincing if the actors stoically recite their lines. Gather enough cue cards for each student to receive one. On the card, write one single physical or emotional state. Some examples are anger, fear, nervousness, physical pain -- such as a headache or injury -- sadness, frustration or defiance. Once each child reads his card, ask him to convey this emotional or physical experience through body language, without verbal expression. This will give them guidance that makes their acting much more genuine and convincing.
While acting techniques are important, the class needs to understand the many aspects of playwriting as well. Understanding the story helps lend context to characters and allows the students to critically analyze their roles and how to best portray them. Provide the class with a basic short story, such as a fairy tale. Give them some time to write their own variation and act it out. This is a project that can take several days. Students will have to create their own dialogue, assign roles and carry out any other relevant preparations. Monitor the class closely, providing frequent guidance and assistance.