Elephants in Tutus

Students will understand how three famous people made a significant contribution to the performing arts. They will read a timeline, demonstrate map skills, learn and perform a simple rhythmic pattern using various percussion instruments. Using adjectives and verbs, students will describe the animal that they have selected for their ballet performance. They will listen to an historical account of the event as well as listen and dance like elephants to Stravinsky’s Circus Polka: For a Young Elephant. Additionally, they will listen and move like donkeys to Grofé’s “On the Trail” from Grand Canyon Suite. New vocabulary words will be introduced: choreographer, polka, collaborate, composer, troupe and ballet.