Nutcracker Unit Study Ideas

These samples above were done by students in third through fifth grade


Soapbox time again.
The Nutcracker offers an amazing array of subjects to explore in a unit study.
Just a few...



Language Arts

The Nutcracker and the King of Mice


Fine Arts/Music/ Theater/ PE

Ballet
Dances
Waltzes
Pas De Deux
Tchaikovsky

Social Studies

Christmas celebrations around the world
Germany, Russia, France
(Clara is German. The original story comes from Russia. Alexandre Dumas revamped the story to the one we are familiar with in the ballet.)
The history of Christmas symbols(IE;the tree)

Science

Different types of snow
Snowflakes
candymaking
rats and mice- how are they different, how are the same?

Math

Telling time
Calendar(when is Christmas?)
Counting- characters, mice, rats, soldiers, fairies, dances, songs, etc.


Here are some other useful links as well...
Powerpoint Nutcracker Themes

The Nutcracker Story
Holiday Traditions- The Nutcracker Story Lapbook

Free Nutcracker Unit Study
Nutcracker Art Lesson