Here are some favorite lesson plans and activities for the music classroom to teach The Nutcracker Ballet plus some NEW resources to spark life into our teaching of this perennial classic.
The Playlist
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For Older Students: PLAY the Chinese Tea Dance on Barred Instruments
With its call and response form, this is the perfect barred instrument activity for December!
PLUS, movement ideas using partners and the whole class with and without props!
Tea Dance Video
Septime Webre’s reimagined Tea Dance for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival
More December Games & Activities
Find other lesson ideas for December on the Winter, Holiday, and Christmas Music Games & Activities blog post!
Cultural Stereotypes in the Nutcracker
Each performance of the Nutcracker uses an artistic director who helps determine the costuming, dancing, makeup, and scenery for the ballet.
The ballet dates back to a time when ethnic caricatures were standard practice in the performances.
This is particularly true in Act II with the dances related to the Chinese, Arabian, Russian, and Spanish dances.
As music specialists, this is important to take into consideration if we choose to use videos in our teaching. Read more.
Here’s an excellent interview on NPR about “Rethinking Cultural Stereotypes in The Nutcracker.”
🎄Nutcracker Merch
Nutcracker Character Sweatshirt
Adorable character sweatshirt!
Definitely NOT an ugly sweater!
(affiliate link)
Nutcracker Decor
These items from Oriental Trading Company can be used for Nutcracker Ballet-themed concert and classroom decor, student crafts, and movement activities.
Books
These are two of my favorite books to use in the classroom. Both are so engaging, one with the pop-up feature (on the left) and musical selections (on the right). I even bought a second copy of the pop up book because I used the original one for so many years.
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Nutcracker Museum
At this school, students were asked to bring in a family Nutcracker and were put into this fun Nutcracker Museum display! (Remember to have the student’s name and room clearly labeled.)
Add this to your end-of-year evaluation Danielson (or similar) Domain 1b: Teacher-designed opportunities for families to share their heritages.
Nutcracker Play Along Videos
March of the Toy Soldiers-Barred & Sticks (Gr. 2-5)
Lesson Ideas
March of the Soldiers Movement Activity
Motion Terms
March-in place or around room
Flick-hands/fingers flick similar to flicking water on someone
Wind Up Toy-arms bent (mechanical looking) and move from waist up/down like a wind up toy
Scurry-fingers are like a little mouse scurrying down arm
A: March slow 8, then right hand flicks 4 times quickly from high to low, repeat on Lt side high to low, then both arms flick 7 at same time from low to high with a clap on beat 8 (repeat)
B: March slow 4, wind down toy DOWN for fast 4 then UP for fast 4 (repeat) (kind of like the robot dance 🤣)
A:
C: Rt fingers scurry down left arm, repeat on other arm (repeat)
A:
B:
A:
Here’s a video of the movements that I made for a newsletter subscriber while I was on vacation in Moab, Utah!
March of the Soldiers with Stretchy Bands
Bear Paw Creek Large Stretchy Band
I used the stretchy bands from Bear Paw Creek and loved them for their durability!
Trepak | Plate Routine
ADORABLE paper plates for the above routine would look spectacular on risers for a concert!
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Sugar Plum Fairy | Movement with Mr. DelGaudio
Waltz of the Flowers
Ballet Videos
Full-length Ballet (Central Florida Ballet)
https://www.pbs.org/video/hip-hop-nutcracker-at-njpac-an-all-arts-presentation-czdp88/
Hip Hop Nutcracker on PBS
This performance is on PBS and you may need to confirm your local PBS station.