Theme and Variations

Students listen to Haydn's "Surprise" and use the score to create themes and variations with other rhythms. They create poems using Haydn's rhythm in the symphony and research his life. They also use "body percussion" to play parts of...

Use a familiar song and adorable baby animal pictures to teach youngsters about genetic variation. Begin by listening to "Twelve Variations on 'Ah vous dirai-je Maman,'" which you will need to find online (there are several versions...

Students explore the different themes and strategies of dancing by performing in class.  In this physical education lesson, students practice moving specific joints and muscles as they train to perform a dance.  Students perform a dance...

The dance elements of body, energy, space, and time are the focus of a lesson on movement and theme. The class follows along as the teacher shows them a new dance that has a theme. They practice the dance, and then change one element in...

Readers of all ages can work together in groups to create original poetry on the theme of "Imagine," inspired by John Lennon's classic song. They also create a mural to illustrate their poetry. A beautiful lesson, inspired by a beautiful...

Fourth graders analyze and practice the musical concept of contrasting segments. They view and discuss a musical whole that is described by the connections between the theme and variations and demonstrate the concept by composing...

Students write creatively using magazine pictures. For this language arts lesson, students write a short story based on the themes from the four pictures given from the magazines. Additionally, students can write a story after the...

Students demonstrate the structure of a canon by composing melodies and variations over Pachelbel's Theme from the Canon in D. Requires a networked keyboard lab and computers.

Students of all ages can create bookmarks based on a holiday theme.

A variation on classic Valentine's Day lessons that is sure to please, your elementary class construct heart mobiles using construction paper, string or yarn, hole punchers, foil, and pencils.