1. US Curriculums
  2. TEKS
  3. Grade 3
  4. Theatre
  5. Apply appropriate audience behavior consistently

Grade 3 · Theatre

Apply appropriate audience behavior consistently

Quarter 4 · Week 1 · TEKS

Standards Alignment

  • TEKS.THEATRE.3.05A primary
    apply appropriate audience behavior consistently;
  • TEKS.THEATRE.3.05B primary
    discuss and evaluate simple dramatic activities and performances; and

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Lesson Overview

This Grade 3 theatre lesson focuses on teaching students to consistently apply appropriate audience behavior during theatrical performances. Students will also learn to discuss and evaluate simple dramatic activities and performances. The lesson is grounded in TEKS standards and emphasizes critical evaluation and response to theatre.

Learning Objectives

  • Demonstrate consistent use of appropriate audience behavior during theatrical performances.
  • Discuss and evaluate simple dramatic activities and performances with peers and teacher guidance.

Success Criteria

  • Students consistently show respectful and attentive behavior as audience members during performances.
  • Students can articulate observations and opinions about simple dramatic activities and performances.
  • Students participate in discussions evaluating performances using appropriate theatre vocabulary.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have basic understanding of theatre as a form of storytelling and have participated in simple dramatic activities or watched performances before.

Key Vocabulary

  • Audience behavior
  • Respect
  • Attention
  • Performance
  • Evaluate
  • Dramatic activity
  • Feedback

Materials and Resources

  • Space for dramatic warm-up and short performances
  • Simple scripts or prompts for dramatic activities
  • Observation checklist or rubric for audience behavior
  • Paper and pencils for reflection and evaluation

Teacher Preparation

  • Review TEKS standards TEKS.THEATRE.3.05A and TEKS.THEATRE.3.05B to align lesson objectives.
  • Prepare a short dramatic warm-up or character exercise to engage students.
  • Select or create simple dramatic activities or short scenes for student performance.
  • Develop a checklist or rubric to guide students in recognizing appropriate audience behavior.
  • Plan questions to guide discussion and evaluation of performances.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Appropriate Audience Behavior

Appropriate audience behavior means showing respect and attentiveness to performers. This includes sitting quietly, watching the performance carefully, applauding at the right times, and not interrupting the performers. Consistent audience behavior helps performers feel supported and allows everyone to enjoy the performance. Teachers should explain and model these behaviors clearly, emphasizing why they matter in theatre.

Discussing and Evaluating Performances

After watching or participating in a dramatic activity, students should be encouraged to share their thoughts about what they saw or did. Discussing performances involves talking about what was interesting, what emotions were conveyed, and how well the performers communicated their characters or story. Evaluation is simple and constructive, focusing on positive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Teachers guide students to use respectful language and focus on specific examples from the performance.

Dramatic Warm-Up and Character Exercises

Starting with a dramatic warm-up helps students prepare their bodies and voices for performance and observation. Character exercises encourage students to think about how actors use expression and movement to tell a story. These activities also help students become more aware of performance choices, which supports their ability to evaluate performances thoughtfully.

Modeling and Practicing Audience Behavior

Teachers should model appropriate audience behavior during all performances and rehearsals. Students can practice being an audience by watching peers perform short scenes or dramatic responses and using the observation checklist to note behaviors such as sitting quietly, watching attentively, and applauding appropriately. Reinforcing these behaviors through practice helps students internalize expectations.

Reflection on Performance and Audience Experience

After performances, students reflect on how performance choices communicated meaning and how audience behavior affected the experience. Reflection can be guided through questions such as: How did the performers show their characters? What did you notice about how the audience behaved? How did the audience’s behavior make the performance better? This reflection deepens understanding of theatre as a shared experience between performers and audience.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Scenario

During a short peer performance, you notice some classmates talking and laughing loudly. What is the appropriate audience behavior you should demonstrate?

Explanation

Appropriate audience behavior means being quiet and attentive so performers can be heard and feel respected. Talking and laughing loudly distracts performers and other audience members. The correct response is to sit quietly, watch carefully, and applaud at the end.

Answer Guide

I should sit quietly and watch the performance without talking or laughing loudly, so I respect the performers and others watching.

Worked Example 2

Scenario

After watching a simple dramatic activity, how can you discuss and evaluate the performance with your classmates?

Explanation

Discussing and evaluating involves sharing what you liked about the performance, how the actors showed their characters, and what emotions you felt. Use kind and specific words to give positive feedback and suggestions.

Answer Guide

I can say what I liked about the performance, like how the actors used their voices or movements, and share how it made me feel. I can also say something nice about what they did well.

Engage

Teacher Activity

Introduce the concept of audience behavior by asking students what they think good audience members do during a performance. Share examples and model behaviors such as sitting quietly and applauding at the right time.

Student Activity

Students share their ideas about audience behavior and watch the teacher model appropriate behaviors.

Explanation

Engaging students in discussion and modeling helps them understand what is expected of them as audience members and why it is important.

Examples

  • Students listen and contribute ideas about audience behavior.
  • Students observe teacher modeling respectful audience behavior.

Explore

Teacher Activity

Lead students in a dramatic warm-up and a simple character exercise to prepare them for performance and observation.

Student Activity

Students participate actively in warm-up and character exercises, exploring how actors use voice and body to communicate.

Explanation

These activities help students experience performance from the actor’s perspective and prepare them to observe and evaluate performances.

Examples

  • Students engage physically and vocally in warm-up and character exercises.
  • Students begin to understand performance choices.

Explain

Teacher Activity

Explain the expectations for audience behavior during performances. Use a checklist or rubric to highlight key behaviors such as listening quietly and applauding appropriately.

Student Activity

Students listen and ask questions about audience behavior expectations. They practice using the checklist during a short peer performance.

Explanation

Clear explanation and use of a checklist help students understand and remember appropriate audience behaviors.

Examples

  • Students understand and can identify appropriate audience behaviors.
  • Students practice being attentive audience members during peer performances.

Elaborate

Teacher Activity

Have students watch short dramatic responses performed by peers. After each, guide a discussion to evaluate the performance and reflect on audience behavior.

Student Activity

Students observe peer performances, use the checklist to monitor audience behavior, and participate in discussion evaluating the performances.

Explanation

This phase reinforces audience behavior and develops students’ ability to discuss and evaluate performances constructively.

Examples

  • Students provide positive and specific feedback about performances.
  • Students recognize and describe appropriate audience behavior.

Evaluate

Teacher Activity

Ask students to demonstrate appropriate audience behavior during a final short performance and explain why these behaviors matter.

Student Activity

Students demonstrate attentive and respectful audience behavior and explain its importance in their own words.

Explanation

This assessment confirms students’ understanding and ability to apply appropriate audience behavior consistently.

Examples

  • Students consistently demonstrate appropriate audience behavior.
  • Students articulate reasons for respectful audience behavior.

Classroom Activity

Students participate actively in warm-up and character exercises, exploring how actors use voice and body to communicate.

Guided Practice

Guided Practice 1

Prompt

What is appropriate audience behavior during a performance?

Teacher Answer Guide

Appropriate audience behavior includes sitting quietly, watching attentively, not interrupting performers, and applauding at the right times.

Guided Practice 2

Prompt

Why should audience members be quiet during a performance?

Teacher Answer Guide

Being quiet helps performers be heard and shows respect to them and other audience members.

Guided Practice 3

Prompt

How can you evaluate a simple dramatic activity?

Teacher Answer Guide

By discussing what you liked, how the performers showed their characters, and sharing positive feedback using kind words.

Independent Practice

  1. Foundational: What is one way you can show you are a good audience member during a play?
  2. Developing: Why is it important to pay attention and be quiet when watching a performance?
  3. Application: Describe how you would behave as an audience member during a short play performed by your classmates.
  4. Analysis: After watching a peer performance, how can you give helpful feedback that respects the performers?
  5. Challenge: Explain why consistent appropriate audience behavior is important for both performers and other audience members.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

  1. 1. Sit quietly and watch the performance carefully.
  2. 2. Because it helps the performers be heard and shows respect to them and other audience members.
  3. 3. I would sit quietly, watch the actors carefully, not talk or laugh loudly, and clap at the end to show I liked the performance.
  4. 4. I can say what I liked about the performance and mention specific things they did well, using kind words and being positive.
  5. 5. Consistent appropriate audience behavior helps performers feel supported and confident, and it allows all audience members to enjoy the performance without distractions.

Guiding Questions

  • What does it mean to be a respectful audience member?
  • How can you show you are paying attention during a performance?
  • Why do performers need a good audience?
  • What did you notice about the performances you watched?
  • How can we give helpful feedback to performers?

Common Misconceptions

  • Some students may think it is okay to talk or laugh during a performance if they find something funny, but this is disrespectful to performers and others.
  • Students might believe clapping or cheering should happen anytime during the performance, but it is usually reserved for the end or appropriate moments.
  • Students may confuse being quiet with being bored; explain that quiet attention shows respect and interest.

Differentiation

Support and Intervention

Provide a clear checklist of audience behaviors with pictures for visual support. Model audience behavior multiple times and use role-play to practice. Use simple language and repeat key points about audience behavior.

English-Language Learner Support

Use gestures and visual aids to explain audience behavior. Pair ELL students with peers for modeling and practice. Provide sentence starters for discussing and evaluating performances.

Advanced and Extension

Encourage students to lead a discussion evaluating a performance using theatre vocabulary. Have students create their own checklist for audience behavior and explain why each behavior is important. Challenge students to reflect on how audience behavior changes in different types of performances.

Assessment

  • Observe students during peer performances to see if they demonstrate appropriate audience behavior.
  • Listen to student discussions evaluating performances for understanding and respectful language.
  • Explain one way you can be a good audience member during a play.
  • Describe something you liked about a performance you watched today.
  • Write a short paragraph about why audience behavior is important in theatre.
  • Create a poster showing good audience behavior with pictures and words.

Answer Guide

  • What is appropriate audience behavior during a performance?
    Answer: Appropriate audience behavior includes sitting quietly, watching attentively, not interrupting performers, and applauding at the right times.
  • Why should audience members be quiet during a performance?
    Answer: Being quiet helps performers be heard and shows respect to them and other audience members.
  • How can you evaluate a simple dramatic activity?
    Answer: By discussing what you liked, how the performers showed their characters, and sharing positive feedback using kind words.

Real-Life Application

Encourage families to attend a local theatre performance or watch a play together at home. Ask students to observe and discuss appropriate audience behavior with family members and share their observations in class.

Homework or Home Connection

  • Encourage families to attend a local theatre performance or watch a play together at home. Ask students to observe and discuss appropriate audience behavior with family members and share their observations in class.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learn to consistently apply appropriate audience behavior by sitting quietly, paying attention, and applauding respectfully during performances. They also practice discussing and evaluating simple dramatic activities using kind and specific feedback. These skills help create a positive theatre experience for both performers and audience members.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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