Nutcracker
Every year in December the first graders explore Nutcracker. I read the story with Tchaikovsky's music playing, then we watch the party and beginning of the dream. We spend some time exploring the moves that are the building blocks of dance (travel, turn, higher/lower, close/away) then watch three versions of one of the second act dances and discuss how the dancers showed the various building blocks. After that I put on the music and the kids create their own version. We usually have time for only the Chinese Dance, but later learn the Russian Dance and March with parachute routines. They become favorites for years!There are many easily attainable versions of Nutcracker if you're interested in watching.
Here is our favorite dance Trepak (Russian Dance). If you don't have a parachute, use a towel
or sheet (if you can teach the moves to your whole family).
Clips from Swan Lake
These are the clips we watched in class to learn more about the story of Swan Lake and how a ballet works.Prince's birthday party waltz
Background information and interviews with the Corps de Ballet
Dance of the four swans (referenced in Corps de Ballet clip)
Main swan theme
The Story of Sleeping Beauty
For an excellent picture-filled summary of the story Tchaikovsky used, check out this link.
Clips from Sleeping Beauty
If students are curious to see the dances, especially how she pricks her finger and falls asleep. I can recommend these videos from Youtube if you'd like to share them with your child.Act 1 Garland Waltz
This very famous waltz is entertainment at Aurora's 16th birthday party.
Aurora dances with the Princes (Rose Adage)
As in many fairy tales, the main character must marry. This is Aurora's famous dance with the princes, filled with amazing balances on her toe shoes (en pointe). We have had some interesting discussions about these shoes with third and fourth grade dance students in years past.
Aurora pricks her finger and falls asleep
