Lesson Plans (PDF)

A Lesson of Firsts

Lesson written for first grade, but good for first music experiences of any grade. Excellent follow-up activities and resources for elementary grades, by Dylan Pritchett.

Aquarium and the Magic Fish

A great plan for elementary in comparing visual art and music using Saint-Saens’ “Aquarium” from Carnival of the Animals. Humanities lesson for introduction, with students finding their own connections between art and music as they extend the lesson, by Julie Johnson.

Music, Caterpillars: How They Grow!

Simple lesson to introduce with great application for older elementary grades. Students create their own rhymes to describe stages of animal growth and life cycle. Combines science, music, language arts and visual art.

The Lion King -A Broadway Musical Guide

For grades 6-12, a 40-page guide of activities and exploration of the Broadway play.

First Come the Zebra

A book about conflict resolution with a teacher guide for grades 1-5.

Animal Actions

Using Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, lessons focusing on movement as exploration of animals as well as writing descriptive phrases to describe animals.

Lesson Links and Videos

A Russian Fairy Tale: Peter and the Wolf (PPT)

You will need to access the sound samples from the WVSO audio Cd or instantencore.com. Power Point will cover instruments with explanation and connection to the appropriate animal.

Language Arts Quiz of Animal Idioms

How could these idioms be expressed as music? What instruments would you use? How can you use music elements to create composition that makes the idiom come to life—both literally and figuratively?

Animal Patterns

Can math explain how animals get their patterns? Discusses middle school level science.

Animals – Rockin’ English

Listen and watch while the singer reads and displays the lyrics and hand-drawn animations for a bird, dog, cow, and elephant. Great to extend the song and add sounds produced by home-made instruments.

Listening to Music: Carnival of the Animals

Originally formatted for ages 10-13. Listening, discussing and discerning instruments portraying specific animals.

Singing for the Animals

Ideas for a service project for raising funds for animal causes, for 3rd – 6th grade.

People and Whales: A History

National Geographic Lesson for 3-5th grades.