- Definition
Atmosphere is the overall feeling or mood of a play, created by things like music, lights, and costumes.
In a play, a dark stage with only a single spotlight and quiet, sad music creates a lonely atmosphere.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: The atmosphere of a scene is like the feeling you get from the music and lighting in a movie, which can make it feel scary, funny, or exciting.
Ask your child: What feeling does this scene give you, and what helps create it?
Common mix-up: Kids may confuse atmosphere with just the plot or what characters say. The atmosphere is the overall feeling created by everything you see and hear, not just the action.
Examples
- Bright party lights, cheerful music, and colourful costumes create a festive atmosphere.
- In a movie, fast-paced music and quick camera cuts can build a tense atmosphere during a chase scene.
atmosphere is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 5 Science and Technology
- Grade 7 Science and Technology
- Grade 9 Science and Technology
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
