Read your students a story book with pictures throughout. When you get to a page with a picture, show it to all of the students. Then, ask them what sounds might be happening within the action of the picture. A city street, for example, may include car horns beeping, people yelling, and construction workers drilling or hammering. Act as the "director" by indicating the need for more or less volume. Stop each student when the noise level is just right. After you've finished the first run, read through the story again and wait for each student to make his "sound" to the corresponding picture. This teaches them teamwork and how to play any part in a story.
Teachers can get right in the middle of an activity known as role drama, in which students take on roles as the story unfolds. Start by reading them part of a story. Then, assign each student a character and ask him to act along with the other students. For instance, use a book such as "The Little Baby Snoogle Fleejur" by Jimmy and Amy Carter, in which characters spot what could be a sea monster. Lead the scenes by taking on key roles, such as a politician or policeman, and ask everyone what they saw and what they think about it. To change directions, take on the part of a television reporter who wants to interview townspeople, and have other students act the part of being "on television."
To help students learn about proper voice usage when acting, place three beanbags varying distances from them. Ask students to pretend each bag is a person to whom they are speaking. Instruct each student to look at the closest beanbag and state his name and his favorite food. Then, ask him to look at the second beanbag, a bit farther away, and tell it how old he is. Finally, tell him to tell the farthest beanbag the name of his favorite animal. After the activity, tell the students the beanbags were like people in the audience of a play, and that a louder voice is needed to reach those in the back.
To help your students learn and practice creativity and timing, have them participate in a mirror exercise that requires no mirror. Pair groups of two students together, and designate one as the "A" and the other the "B." Instruct the "A" to move around using any part of her body, and ask the "B" to follow what the other actor does as closely as possible. Then, have the players trade places so each has the opportunity to be creative and learn about timing.