In a celebration of the holiday season, students from AK to 3rd grade at Atkins and Keystone elementaries immersed themselves in a month-long Nutcracker project throughout December.
To bring the magic of the Nutcracker to life, students explored this classic holiday tale through several different avenues. In the music classroom, students were introduced to the characters, and the magical world of E.T.A. Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker.” To deepen their connection to the story, students not only explored the melodies of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, but also had the opportunity to experience the ballet through video clips. This multi-sensory approach allowed the students to visualize the story's unfolding on stage through movement and choreography. Students were also able to examine a real Nutcracker, gaining understanding of the figurine. The final piece of the Nutcracker project was the creation of the Nutcracker museum. Each building had their own museum where pictures of Nutcrackers from their homes hung alongside Nutcracker artwork that each student created. This approach, combining literature, music, dance, hands-on experiences, and art provided students with a memorable encounter with the timeless magic of the Nutcracker.
