The Nutcracker:
An Integrated Curriculum
HOW I T WORKS
The Nutcracker: An Integrated Curriculum is a literacy-based project using the story of The
Nutcracker as its foundation. By reading and
viewing videotapes of several versions of The
Nutcracker, students are introduced to the story
elements of a fairy tale. They discover how
these elements are illustrated using text, ballet, and
script. Students work in groups to conduct
discussions comparing and contrasting the
different story versions. Cooperative learning
strategies are implemented by various groups of
children who utilize discussion and computers
for research. Students work on independent
responses to the literature and compose their
own versions of the story using a
word-processing program. Science is integrated into this program by
asking students to notice how mood is created
and developed by using weather elements throughout a text. Children research seasonal
weather conditions. They compare and contrast
weather patterns around the world, especially
those countries that experience similar weather
as in the story, i.e., France, Switzerland, Ger-many,
and London. Bringing in nutcrackers and discovering how they are used as
a tool further integrates science. This is expanded by reading
about nutcracker birds and their habitats throughout the world. Students
utilize geographical skills to locate where the nutcracker
birds originate. Computer technology is utilized with the
Internet and Grolier’s Encyclopedia CD-Rom
to research the history of fairy tales. By using
word-processing programs, the students improve their
computer and language skills. Children create stories about an
experience with snow. Math is integrated through the
examination of various graphs of snowfalls in major
cities.
THE STUDENTS
This program has been conducted with a class
of 30 third-grade students. It can be easily
adapted for grades one through five. Different
grade levels of the book exist for the different
reading levels of students. More advanced students can use the play version.
Children can view photographs from different scenes,
and students who have difficulties can use
cassette/books.
THE STAFF
Paula Press is an experienced reading teacher
at P.S. 14Q. Under the direction of the principal,
Dr. Rosemary Sklar, P.S.14Q has been
recognized by Chancellor Levy as one of 20
exemplary schools in the New York City Public
School System. The school and staff were
recognized for their work in Standards-based
education. The school has over 2000 students with
a faculty of almost 200.
WHAT YOU NEED
This program was conducted in a third-grade
classroom equipped with three computers with
word-processing software. The materials needed are different versions of The Nutcracker
and music for the ballet by Tchaikovsky, science
texts on weather and nutcracker birds, and
basic art materials.
OVERALL VALUE
The Nutcracker: An Integrated Curriculum meets various Language
Arts Standards while children develop a healthy appreciation of
different art forms and means of self-expression.
They enjoy sharing fairy tale elements of dreams
and dramatizing stories. Students can read a
unit on other fairy tales to compare characters
and their adventures. They will be able to
verbalize their ideas and write reports utilizing
standards and rubrics. They will be able to recreate
scenery to describe the element of mood that
snow creates in The Nutcracker. Research will
integrate details, facts, history of ballet, theatre
elements, and music. Children can enjoy
dancing to the music and dramatizing their favorite
scenes, engage in role-playing, and design a
class mural, all of which promotes self-esteem.
Teachers can also plan a class trip to see a
production of The Nutcracker.
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