Tchaikovsky and the Nutcracker

In this classical music appreciation instructional activity, students listen to a recording of The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. Students read about the composer and the structure of the piece. Students answer 5 questions and complete...

Students discuss the Nutcracker Ballet. They listen as the teacher reads "The Tale of the Nutcracker and the History of the Ballet," (included with the lesson). Students discuss dreams they have had. They listen to a portion of The Waltz...

The Nutcracker, composed by Peter Tchaikovsky, has become a staple of the Christmas season. A unit plan centered around the famous ballet is packed with a variety of activities that are sure to excite learners of all ages.

In these literacy worksheets, young scholars color and cut out the Nutcracker puppets. Students then complete a beginning sound worksheet using the letters sn, gr, gl, and b to help them finish the words. Young scholars cut out the book.

Students discuss dance elements and create a dance map. They choose a dance theme and incorporate movement into their dance maps and choreography. They also experiment with different types of music.

Students tell stories through dance. In this ballet lesson, students learn pantomime dance skills and examine "The Nutcracker" ballet performances as they examine ballet as storytelling.

Students use a cardboard tubes as props as they create their own dance steps to express the emotions invoked in a portion of The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky.

Music is a wonderful tool you can add to enhance the learning process for every subject. Here is a list of music selections that are categorized by subject, along with some neat teaching suggestions. You'll find songs suited to...

Patterns happen everywhere, in music, math, and language! Fourth graders listen to the "William Tell Overture" visualizing the patterns that they hear. They then discuss and write an ABA poem that matches the ABA form found in the music...