1 Clap or play along with Overture from the Nutcracker

Clap or play along with Overture from the Nutcracker

Listen for the woodwind instruments that play solos in this selection.

2 Learn about the Woodwind Family

Learn about the Woodwind Family

3 Play the game "What Instrument do you Hear?"

Play the game "What Instrument do you Hear?"

4 Learn to desk drum or bucket drum to March from the Nutcracker

Learn to desk drum or bucket drum to March from the Nutcracker

Find something to use for a bucket and for sticks.
For a bucket, you can use an ice cream bucket or a cardboard box, or you can drum on the top of your desk.
For sticks, use two wooden spoons or two spoons. Improvise!

If you drum on a foam sheet or a piece of a yoga mat, the sound will be quieter.

You can put a foam sheet or piece of yoga mat on top of your desk, or on the top of your bucket.

If you are desk drumming
top=top
rim=edge of the desk
click=click

Practice Page 1

5 Learn to drum page 2 of the March from the Nutcracker

Learn to drum page 2 of the March from the Nutcracker

6 Learn to drum page 4 of the March from the Nutcracker

Learn to drum page 4 of the March from the Nutcracker

(Page 3 is a repeat of page 1)

7 Drum to the March from the Nutcracker

Drum to the March from the Nutcracker

8 Optional: Learn song #43 "Snowflakes"

Optional: Learn song #43 "Snowflakes"

This is an easy partner song with Jingle Bells.

If you are allowed to sing, it's a fun performance piece.

9 Optional: Learn #44 "Christmas at the Hop"

Optional: Learn #44 "Christmas at the Hop"

If you can sing, you could teach the song.

If singing is not allowed, create a dance to the music.

10 Optional: #45 "Christmas Line Dance"

Optional: #45 "Christmas Line Dance"

Verse 1: hip rocks throughout
Line dance during the instrumental breaks: Say:
Right toe out, right toe in right toe out, right toe in right in right in
Left toe out, left toe in left toe out, left toe in left in left in
Right toe out, right toe in right toe out, right toe in right in right in
Left toe out, left toe in left toe out, left toe in left in left in
Tap heel to the front twice, tap toe behind twice heel heel toe toe
Tap heel to the front twice, tap toe behind twice heel heel toe toe
Tap heel to the front twice, tap toe behind twice heel heel toe toe
Tap heel to the front once, Tap heel to the side once heel side
Tap toe behind once, bring knee up and clap! back clap

The line dance is choreographed so that the entire class can perform it while on risers. If you have only a small group doing the line dance you can make it more complicated. Create actions to accompany verse 2 if you wish.