My family loves the Nutcracker ballet! My eldest daughter has been going to see the ballet since she was very little, and we have the music playing in the house throughout the month. The music is so beautiful and captivating, and the colorful costumes and elaborate sets are visually stunning.
The story is easy to follow and full of wonder and magic, which captures the imagination of young children. The Nutcracker also teaches important lessons about bravery, friendship, and the power of imagination.
I developed a preschool music lesson plan that introduces some of the music of The Nutcracker for young children. It’s great to use around the Holidays as a supplement (or alternative) to the usual Holiday music. The Nutcracker theme is also a great way to introduce classical music into the classroom.
My goal is to develop music lesson plans that are straightforward and can be taught by anyone, regardless of their music expertise. The lessons are easily adaptable to your specific needs and circumstances, allowing you to lead your class with confidence.
You can buy the full lesson plan on Teachers Pay Teachers, but here are the highlights:
- Easy sing-along songs with themes closely connected to the Nutcracker ballet
- Sheet music and lyrics for those songs
- Playlist of music from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with accompanying activities
- A list of age-appropriate Nutcracker storybook recommendations
- Specific instructions on how to use all of the songs and activities with kids ages 0-5
- All activities to keep your students engaged and to help your class flow smoothly
For example, the famous Russian Dance is a great dancing opportunity! Students can make their own dance, or you could use the occasion to teach them how to dance in the Russian style with arms crossed and knees bent (a link to instructions is provided). It can be a very funny activity!