Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
The Nutcracker Teacher Resource Guide
Clara becomes Marie, The Mouse King becomes a rat, and the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh becomes the setting for a modern interpretation of Tchaikovsky's famous ballet. Intended as a resource guide for a 2012 performance, the...
BBC
The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky
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...
Curated OER
The Nutcracker
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.
Curated OER
Ballet and Dance Quiz
Ballet is the main focus of this short answer quiz, but a few questions cover dance in cinema and Scottish folk dance names. Trivia for dancers!
Curated OER
Analyzing Two Dances and Making a Dance Map: The Nutcracker
Students discuss dance elements and create a dance map. They choose a dance theme and incorporate movement into their dance maps and choreography. They also experiment with different types of music.
Curated OER
Marching to the Music
This lesson reinforces that physical movement/fitness can be directly related to dance and music. Tell the students that you are going to read a fun Christmas story. In the story there will be toys that magically come alive. Read the...
Curated OER
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
High schoolers identify what Tchaikovsky's personality was like and what kind of school he attended first. Then they identify and research what was happening in Russian politics during his lifetime. Students also identify who the...
Curated OER
The Dancing Flute
Young scholars use a cardboard tubes as props as they create their own dance steps to express the emotions invoked in a portion of The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky.
Curated OER
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Dance of the Floreadores, Waltz of the Flowers in the Meter of Duke
Students contrast the meter and style of two different versions of the musical piece, "Waltz of the Flowers." Duke Ellington's meter in the "Dance of the Floreadores" is compared to Tchaikovsky's version in the "Nutcracker."
Curated OER
Emotions in Motion
Young scholars use dance as a form of communication. In this meanings of dance lesson, students create dances to communicate a variety of emotions.
Other
The Nutcracker
Notes on the story, characters, music, and choreography of "The Nutcracker" ballet.
PBS
Classics for Kids: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
A short biography of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and more about this famous composer.
Starfall
Starfall: Peter Tchaikovsky
An online story for beginning readers about Peter Tchaikovsky, and two ballet dances that are based on his music. A short biography of Tchaikovsky is also found here.