MUSIC LESSON PLAN:
30-Minute Elementary Music Lesson Plan
The Nutcracker & Musical Form
(A–B–A) Theme*
Grade Level: 1st–3rd (adaptable)
Length: 30 minutes
Theme: Winter / The Nutcracker
Focus Concept: Musical Form (A–B–A),
expressive movement, Orff process

OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this lesson:
the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify contrasting sections in a
Nutcracker piece (ex: March, Dance of
the Sugar Plum Fairy, or Russian
Trepak).
2. Demonstrate the form using
locomotor and non-locomotor
movement.
3. Perform a
simple bordun accompaniment
and four-beat rhythm patterns on
Orff instruments.
4. Create an A–B–A form using
movement or instruments.

MATERIALS:
 Recording of a Nutcracker selection
(recommended: “March,” “Trepak,” or
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”)
 Orff instruments:
o Xylophones &
metallophones (bordun)
o Hand
percussion (tambourine,
triangle, rhythm sticks)
 Large visual of A–B–A form
 Optional: picture cards from The
Nutcracker story
 Scarves for movement
"I CAN" STATEMENTS:
 I can identify and move to different
musical sections in The Nutcracker.
 I can perform a simple bordun and
rhythmic pattern using Orff
instruments.
 I can show the form of the music
through movement, speech, or
instrument playing.
 I can work with others to create a
musical idea.