Viewing the Nutcracker Holiday Story and Activities

Viewing the ballet The Nutcracker is a wonderful holiday activity. In this folder, you'll receive a story about a girl's experiences with seeing The Nutcracker, before, during, and after reading activities, a little pocket guide to the Nutcracker, and a teaching guide.

The story: In "Nutcracker Memories", Natalie receives tickets for the Nutcracker from her Aunt Rachel. Although her brother Michael is reluctant at first, even he is pulled into the magic of the performance.

The activities: You'll receive what you need to help readers before, during, and after the reading experience. Before reading, students will practice saying key words from the text and make predictions about the character's attitudes. After reading, students will compare their predictions to the text, build visual images, participate in a discussion group, and prepare for state tests with multiple choice and open-ended questions. All of the items are stand-alone, leaving you free to pick and choose what will work with your students.

The guide: The Very Little Guide to the Nutcracker is a mini-book that kids will assemble with the help of a Powerpoint. The guide is the book that Aunt Rachel from "Nutcracker Memories" makes for Natalie.