Over the course of six lessons, scholars try their hand at composing and dancing after a thorough examination of the famous ballet, The Nutcracker, by Tchaikovsky. Participants watch and discuss the performance of two dances, create and...

The introduction to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and the finale of his Symphony No. 4 provide young musicians with an opportunity to investigate the music elements composers employ to develop the themes they want to create. They compare the...

Imagine being commissioned to compose a work for a huge celebration that should be exciting and patriotic. A work that would commemorate a dramatic battle victory. What instruments would you use? What melodies to tell the tale and echo...

Take a quick tour through the last 350 years of music composition with an interactive timeline tool. As learners scroll through the years, they see which composers were born and working during the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern...

How many of the world's greatest composers were born in Austria? Or Germany? Or the United States? An interactive map provides young musicians with information about prominent composers in the last few centuries, as well as the periods...

Let music and poetry collide in this well-orchestrated language arts lesson plan. After studying program music and C. Debussy's Prelude to an Afternoon Faun, view the attached SMART board lesson plan to read through "Fog" by Carl...

In this classical music appreciation learning exercise, 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 a...

First graders define a ballet as a story told through dance. They listen to melodies and demonstrate beat and accent through body movement. They watch the ballet.

Students create a snowstorm in their room. In this snow activity, students make snowflakes to attach to their hands. Students play "The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" by Tchaikovsky and dance.