Peter and the Wolf Mini Unit

As I said in an earlier post,
Maestro Classics
inspired me to pull together
a mini unit for my kiddos about the music of...

...Peter and the Wolf.

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Before listening to the CD,
I prepared the kiddos by reading to them a short
biography page about the composer...

...Sergei Prokofiev.

(Click HERE for this composer biography.)

(The CD also has a lovely segment about Prokofiev
which I plan on using as a review with the kiddos
at a later date.)

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After discussing the composer,
we began listening to the CD.

First up was the Introduction of the
story's characters and the instrument that
represent them.

After discussing the reasons why we thought
certain instruments were used for certain characters,
I let the kiddos cut out...

...a set of Peter and the Wolf
finger puppets.
(Click HERE for the finger puppets.)

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Now, I am pretty pumped about the next activity
I discovered for the kiddos to work on
DURING Peter and the Wolf...

It is called a Listening Map.

The kiddos went through a series of picture activities
which essentially kept their attention drawn to the music.

It even had a discussion guide for me to use...

Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!

(A big shout out to the Cincinnati Orchestra
for putting this material
out there-
y'all ROCK!!!)

(Click HERE for the Listening Guide.)

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After completing the Listening Guide and
discussing the music,
I though it would be fun for the kiddos to watch...

...Walt Disney's version of Peter and the Wolf.
(We found it in two parts on You Tube...

Click HERE for Part One
Click HERE for Part Two

You can also see a fun "behind the scenes" clip
with Walt Disney and Sergei Prokofiev
about the creation of
Peter and the Wolf by clicking HERE.)

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Some other fun activities I found but didn't get to
include:

Sequencing Cards

Coloring Page

Matching Game

And THIS site has a ton of lesson plan ideas...

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I hope to INSPIRE you, too, to get
into classical music with YOU kiddos...

TOS Review: Maestro Classics' "Peter and the Wolf"

When we received the CD of...

...Peter and the Wolf
from
Maestro Classics,
MANY memories of my
elementary school days
flooded back into my brain...

We listened to
Peter and the Wolf in preparation for our
trip to hear our local Orchestra.

It is such a wonderful piece of music to use
to introduce kiddos
to the different instrument families,
and classical music in general.

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Well, this CD is MUCH MORE than just a recording
of the music...

It also contains the following:

1. Biographical information about the composer Prokofiev
2. A Russian musical version of Peter and the Wolf
3. The conductor, Stephen Simon, discussing the piece
4. Peter and the Wolf with AND without Narration
5. An "Invitation" to Grandfather's party
6. Dance music from Grandfather's Party
7. A booklet insert which contains more information
about all the people involved with this production
AND simple games and puzzles for
kiddos to solve

See? SO MUCH MORE than the music...

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This packet of classical fun INSPIRED me
to create a "mini unit" about
Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf
for my kiddos to explore.

(You can see how we were inspired
by clicking HERE.)

Since the main goals of Maestro Classics are:
1. Expanding listening horizons,
2. Develop listening skills and accumulate musical memories,
and
3. Encourage adults and children to listen to music together,
I'd say they accomplished their goals with OUR family!

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The kiddos really enjoyed the way the music was presented to them,
and at $16.98 per CD,
I'd say we will be ordering more music from
the Maestro in the future...

In the NEAR future, since they are currently running
a discount special of...

The musical selections Maestro Classics
has to choose from include:

The Tortoise and the Hare

The Story of Swan Lake

Juanita the Spanish Lobster,
in English...

...and in Spanish

Casey at the Bat

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
The Sorcer's Apprentice

AND, of course,
Peter and the Wolf

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Click HERE to become a fan on Facebook,
and watch for a chance to WIN this CD!

Click HERE to visit this website
for more information
and musical inspiration...

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Disclaimer: I received this product free for my open and
honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.