Table of Contents Table of Contents History of the Nutcracker Ballet Ballet Story Synopsis Scene Outline Additional Reading List Lesson Plans Grade

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2 Table of Contents Table of Contents Page 2 History of the Nutcracker Ballet Page 3 Ballet Story Synopsis Page 4 Scene Outline Page 5 Additional Reading List Page 32 Lesson Plans Grade Page Lesson Plan: Story Comprehension K-2 Page 6 Lesson Plan: Story Comprehension 3+ Page 8 Lesson Plan: Theatre Etiquette K-8 Page 10 Lesson Plan: Choreography K-1 Page 12 Lesson Plan: Choreography 2+ Page 14 Lesson Plan: Theatre Critic 4+ Page 16 Lesson Plan: Character Letter K-3 Page 18 Handouts Grade Page Activity Sheet: Story Timeline K-2 Page 20 Activity Sheet: Choreography 2+ Page 21 Activity Sheet: Theatre Etiquette All Page 22 Activity Sheet: Theatre Critic 4+ Page 23 Activity Sheet: Character Letter K-3 Page 24 Activity Sheet: Word Search K-1 Page 25 Activity Sheet: Word Search 2-3 Page 26 Activity Sheet: Word Search 4+ Page 27 Activity Sheet: Crossword 3+ Page 28 Activity Sheet: Coloring Pages All Page 29

3 Act One THE PARTY SCENE It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house -- A large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too. The party grows festive with music and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a jolly toy maker, always full of surprises. The children begin to open their gifts and Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara and Fritz a beautiful Ballerina Nutcracker for Clara and a Soldier Nutcracker for Fritz. Mischievous cousin Hans plays too rough with the Nutcracker and breaks it. Clara and Fritz are heartbroken. Drosselmeyer is able to quickly repair the Nutcracker with a handkerchief that appears as if by magic. As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about their beloved Nutcrackers, sneaks back to the tree to check on them, falling asleep with them in her arms. THE FIGHT SCENE As the clock strikes midnight, strange things begin to happen. The Christmas tree grows high above Clara, and the room fills with an army of mice, lead by the fierce Rat King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King. Fritz makes a final daring charge, luring the Rat King into a trap. THE TRANSFORMATION The Nutcracker is injured. Clara and Fritz are distraught, but then Drosselmeyer appears and magically transforms him into a Prince. THE LAND OF SNOW The Nutcracker, now a Prince, takes Clara and Fritz on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes who show them the way to the Land of Sweets. *** INTERMISSION***

4 Act Two ACT II THE LAND OF SWEETS The Prince escorts the children to his homeland, the Land of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Dew Drop Fairy. The children tell her about their daring battle with the army of mice and the defeat of the evil Rat King. As a reward, she calls all of the sweets in the kingdom to join in celebration of dances: Chinese Tea Marzipan Mother Ginger and her Gingerbread Cookies Arabian Coffee Russian Trepak The Dew Drop Fairy appears to offer a wish to Clara. Clara s final wish comes true as she is transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy and dances with the Prince. All of the sweets come to bid Clara farewell and thank her for bringing their Price back to them. THE DREAM ENDS As morning dawns, Clara is awakened from her dream, but she will always have the magical Nutcracker dolls to remind her of this special night. ACT I At the Stahlbaum house Party Battle Snow *** Intermission *** ACT II The Land of the Sweets Introduction Spanish Chocolates Arabian Coffee Chinese Tea Russian Trepak Waltz of the Flowers

5 Lesson Plan: Theatre Etiquette Grade Recommendation: K-5 Objective: Lesson Length: 25 minutes Learn what behavior is appropriate for attending the theatre. Practice those behaviors. Materials Needed: Procedure: Handout: Theatre Etiquette (page 22) 10 minutes Discuss the meaning of etiquette. What is etiquette? It is a way of behaving when visiting a special place. Talk about some examples of places with a special way of behaving. Library = Quiet/Whisper Sports Game = Loudly Cheering School = No calling out/ Always raise hands Bathroom = Wash your hands 5 minutes Discuss that ballet is a story told without words. It is important to be quiet and pay careful attention to the performers. Unlike actors on television, the performers on the stage know that the students are there and want to do their best to tell them a story. In order to show respect, every audience member must give the performance their full attention and avoid any behavior that interferes with anyone else. 10 minutes Go over the rules and have the students write them in their own words: 1. Be On Time. Always arrive at the theatre with plenty of time to find your seats and settle down into them. Once you are in the building, only use your inside voice. If needed, go to the bathroom before the show starts. 2. No Running. There will be a lot of students from many different schools at the theater and it is important to walk calmly and stay with your group. 3. Be Quiet. No talking or whispering during the performance. You can discuss your thoughts with your friends during intermission or after the show. No hooting, whistling, or yelling during the performance. The performance has begun when anyone on stage starts talking or dancing, or when the orchestra starts playing. The best way to show your appreciation is with applause. It is OK to laugh if someone on stage is being funny. 4. Intermission. Halfway through the show, there will be a break for the dancers, called an intermission. This is a good time to go to the bathroom, get a drink, or talk quietly to your friends. Make sure you raise your hand and let your teacher know that you need to go to the bathroom. 5. No Food. No gum, candy, or food in the theatre. A note for parents and teachers: Practicing these behaviors before attending the show can be very helpful to students. Students are welcome to wear whatever they wear to school that day.

6 NYS Standards in this Lesson: ELA Reading 4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. 7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. ELA Writing 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. ARTS 11. Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.

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