"The Nutcracker" and Kindergarten Activities
"The Nutcracker," first performed in 19th-century Europe, can inspire activities for modern kindergarten students. When children listen to a synopsis of "The Nutcracker," they can imagine the scenes portrayed to help transform their classroom with artwork. Kindergarten activities can also showcase movement that tells the story in dance and mime. Storytelling with Tchaikovsky's music can introduce the life and role of the composer and an appreciation for the musical instruments and sounds produced in this enduring ballet score.
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Scenes
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Students can bring to life "The Nutcracker" by transforming part of the classroom into a scene, such as the family parlor or the winter wonderland. Decorations can include coloring pages that depict characters such as Clara, the Prince, the Mouse King and non-animated characters such as dolls and flowers. These decorations can grace the parlor Christmas tree or form a tableau.
Movement
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Storytelling through movement gives students a chance to learn mime. Other movement activities can include creating finger puppets or sock puppets to portray dramatic scenes such as the battle with the mice. As students listen to the musical score, they can move scarves or banners to the beat.
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Costumes
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Imagining what European children and soldiers wore in the 1800s can become a visual feast when the teacher shows illustrations from fashion history and ballet history. For example, after students watch a DVD presentation of the ballet, they can compare and contrast Herr Drosselmeyer's outfit as men's street wear and as a ballet costume. Students can also view military uniforms of the times depicted in history books and in the ballet.
Music
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Students can gain an appreciation not only for the musical score, but for the gifted composer who shared his work. The teacher can briefly tell the life of Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), his early days and his struggles and triumphs in Russia and the United States. Teachers can also discuss the composer's role in performing arts productions. Illustrations of instruments such as the celesta for the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" can help familiarize students with the vast range of sounds that create a musical score. For the "Dance of the Reed Pipes," some of the instrumentation includes flutes, oboes and bass clarinet.
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References
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- Photo Credit Nutcracker Soldier 1 image by Infs from Fotolia.com
