Help your students gain a greater understanding of The Nutcracker Suite with this set of listening sheets! The Nutcracker Classical Music Activity Packet provides 268 pages of different activities that will help build a classical music foundation for your students. Its goal is to increase knowledge of The Nutcracker Suite and comprehension of scenes and characters.
See What's Inside
Be sure to check out the preview file above for a closer look into what this activity pack includes. You'll find 17 pages of activity demos, descriptions, and teacher testimonials!
Learning Objectives
Music Featured in Each Pack:
Overture • The Christmas Tree • March • Gallop And Dance Of The Parents • The Presents Of Drosselmeyer • Grandfather Dance • Clara And The Nutcracker • Battle with the Mouse King • In The Christmas Tree • Waltz Of The Snowflakes • The Magic Castle On The Mountain Of Sweets • Clara And Prince Charming • Chocolate (Spanish Dance) • Coffee (Arabian Dance) • Tea (Chinese Dance) • Trepak (Russian Dance) • Dance Of The Reed Pipes • Polichinelle (The Clown) • Waltz Of The Flowers • Pas De Deux (3rd Movement contains "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy") • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy • Grand Finale
Nutcracker Listening Activity Sheets (Located in Bonus File Section)
Music Rating Guides - full color/black & white
Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.
Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a pleasant sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.
Nutcracker Listen and Color Activity Sheets (22 pages)
Pair art with music! Students color the characters while listening to featured music from The Nutcracker. There are four categories of keywords to circle/highlight that describe their listening experience. Blank lines are for writing in their own words. There are no wrong answers! Discuss and display for further engagement.
"This is a fabulous resource! The kids really enjoyed deciding how the music made them feel. It ties well with the curriculum and I will definitely be using it again!" - Stephen G.
The Nutcracker Checkbox Listening Sheets (24 pages)
Emoji Rating Guide (14 emojis to choose from, color and b&w)
Listening Sheets - there are no wrong answers! Students can use the checkboxes to note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more!
The Nutcracker Tracker (1 page)
Students can track their listening progress by coloring a box for each piece! Select a few or listen to all twenty-two!
The Nutcracker Jazz Suite by Duke Ellington (14 pages)
These Nutcracker-themed printable listening sheets offer creative music appreciation! Most performances online of the full suite range from twenty to thirty minutes. Students will recognize some of the most familiar pieces! Great for incorporating jazz into this seasonal favorite.
Nutcracker Fairytale Story (45 pages)
Nutcracker Story listening sheets combine music appreciation with a fairy tale theme! Students compose their wondrous tales by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar fairy tale objects inspired by the music. There’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!
"I don't feel like I do a very good job of teaching dance/music in our Arts Ed strands, so this was a handy resource as a way of guiding my teaching. I was surprised just how into the Nutcracker my students got!" - Nadine
The Nutcracker Story Writing Packet (30 pages)
These story sheets feature The Nutcracker! Compose a Nutcracker-themed story or use these activity pages for seasonal handwriting practice.
The Nutcracker Word Search (1 page)
No Prep! Word search activities offer many benefits for students. They can help students learn new vocabulary, improve spelling skills, and develop problem-solving abilities. These word search activities are great for reviewing musical concepts in a fun and challenging way! Word search activities also make engaging brain breaks and bell-ringers.
"My students enjoy doing something different in Music Class. This is the first time I used a word find. The students were engaged right away. I needed something to use after our Christmas performance. It was perfect and saved me a lot of time." - Bonnie
The Nutcracker Performance Journal (1 page)
No Prep! Do you need engaging activities to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Students can note their favorite elements from "The Nutcracker" with this scrapbook-style journal/coloring page! Includes favorite dance, scene, costume, moment, character, and music.
"Great to use with our Nutcracker unit. Thanks." - Deborah
The Nutcracker Music Note Matching Game/Center (24 pages)
Learning to read music can have many benefits for students. These colorful music note-matching cards and posters are easy to set up and fun to use! Note-matching games are a great activity for both individual and group learning. They are easy to set up and can be adapted to different skill levels, making them suitable for learners of all ages.
"This was a fun match-up game for my students! They had a fun time with this for a last day soft start!" - Jean
The Nutcracker Handwriting/Tracing Pack (20 pages)
Do you need fun & engaging handwriting activities for December? These tracing and handwriting practice sheets feature The Nutcracker! Each page has a number to trace and write, with a coloring practice at the bottom. Blank pages (with pictures) are also included for additional practice or story writing.
"Love these!" - Conrady Creations
The Nutcracker Scene List Performance Handouts (3 pages)
No Prep! Do you need a scene list to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Performances will vary, but this easy-to-use guide includes the scenes found in most productions! The scene list can be used to follow along, given as student handouts, or used as a planning page for your Nutcracker activities/units.
"My students enjoyed learning about the music from Nutcracker." - Leslie
The Nutcracker Bingo Game (38 pages)
Add this Bingo game to your Nutcracker unit or winter sub plans! Students will enjoy racing to find Clara, the Mouse King, Godfather Drosselmeyer, and more! There are also a few festive objects like cupcakes and ornaments. Great for printing on Astrobrights paper!
"My students LOVED playing Nutcracker BINGO. It was a great activity to use after we learned about the history of and read a version of The Nutcracker. They were extremely engaged, and it was a great review of characters and dances from the ballet/story." - Rebecca M.
The Nutcracker Posters (set of 12)
Bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life with these colorful Nutcracker-themed posters for your bulletin boards! Each poster showcases a beloved musical piece from this enchanting ballet, bringing the magic of the stage right into your classroom or homeschool.
From the dreamy Waltz of the Snowflakes to the exhilarating Chinese Dance, these visually stunning posters will transport you to the Land of Sweets. Perfect for music appreciation, dance classes, or simply adding a touch of holiday cheer, these posters are a must-have for any Nutcracker unit study!
Easel Activity
Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose keyword lists describing their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.
The Nutcracker Classical Music Performance Handouts [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
No Prep! Do you need a scene list to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Performances will vary, but this easy-to-use guide includes the scenes found in most productions! The scene list can be used to follow along, given as student handouts, or used as a planning page for your Nutcracker activities/units.
Product Includes:
More Nutcracker Resources!
Nutcracker Fairy Tale Story Listening Sheets (★ NEW!)
The Nutcracker Listening Sheets
The Nutcracker Listening Sheet Preview
El Cascanueces (En Español)
The Nutcracker Word Search
The Nutcracker Performance Journal
The Nutcracker Number Writing
The Nutcracker Activity Bundle
The Nutcracker Bingo Game
The Nutcracker Blank Sheet Music
The Nutcracker Music Notes Match
The Nutcracker Listening & Match Bundle
The Nutcracker & Festive December Bundle
► It can be hard to keep track of all the dates and eras in classical music history, so we created this freebie to help you out! Grab this six-page guide of composers sorted by musical period. Birthdates, birthplaces, and their famous compositions included. Get this instant download delivered right to your inbox!
The Nutcracker Music Note Match Game for Christmas [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Learning to read music can have many benefits for students. These colorful music note-matching cards and posters are easy to set up and fun to use! Note-matching games are a great activity for both individual and group learning. They are easy to set up and can be adapted to different skill levels, making them suitable for learners of all ages.
Learning Objectives
What's Included
This activity pack includes full-color and white background posters, matching cards, and full-page posters for learning and checking answers. Great for centers! Simply print the cards and posters, cut out the note cards, and laminate for durability. Students match the note with the correct letter card. This is a great activity for reinforcing note names.
18 Grand Staff Puzzles (18 in all)
Treble Space Notes: f - a - c - e
Treble Line Notes: e - g - b - d - f
Bass Space Notes: a - c - e - g
Bass Line Notes: g - b - d - f - a
5 Wall Posters / Music Center Sheets
Grand Staff: Illustrates the two staves
Treble Clef: Explains at-a-glance what the treble clef looks like
Treble Notes: Displays and defines the notes on the treble clef
Bass Clef: Explains at-a-glance what the bass clef looks like
Bass Notes: Displays and defines the notes on the bass clef
The Nutcracker Tracker Classical Music Handouts [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
No Prep! Do you need a fun and interactive handout for "The Nutcracker?" This bingo-style board invites students to color and track each piece from Tchaikovsky's iconic Nutcracker suite. It's also great as a winter break send-home activity!
The Nutcracker Tracker (1 page)
Students can track their listening progress by coloring a box for each piece! Select a few or listen to all twenty-two!
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬
Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!
The Nutcracker Blank Sheet Music Composer Pack [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Do you need fun and engaging music activities for December? Designed with the youngest composers in mind - these blank manuscript pages allow students to compose their own pieces! Draw the music notes or use small stickers to piece together a classical composition. Treble & bass clef tracing sheets are also included.
This set is inspired by "The Nutcracker" and features clipart from the well-loved story/performance.
More Nutcracker Resources!
Nutcracker Fairy Tale Story Listening Sheets (★ NEW!)
The Nutcracker Listening Sheets
The Nutcracker Listening Sheet Preview
El Cascanueces (En Español)
The Nutcracker Word Search
The Nutcracker Performance Journal
The Nutcracker Scene List
The Nutcracker Number Writing
The Nutcracker Activity Bundle
The Nutcracker Bingo Game
The Nutcracker Music Notes Match
The Nutcracker Listening & Match Bundle
The Nutcracker & Festive December Bundle
► We know you'll love helping students create meaningful connections to classical music, so we are happy to share these free listening activities with you today!
The Nutcracker Classical Music Listening Checkboxes [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Music Appreciation Made Easy! Do you need engaging print-and-go activities and brain breaks for The Nutcracker? These activities will save you hours of planning time this holiday season. Just print and cue the music! Great for the period leading to winter break and are even great for your send-home packets!
The selections are available on YouTube or your favorite streaming service. There are no wrong answers, and no musical training is required, so add a few to your sub plans, too!
Learning Objectives
Featured Music
Overture • The Christmas Tree • March • Gallop And Dance Of The Parents • The Presents Of Drosselmeyer • Grandfather Dance • Clara And The Nutcracker • Battle with the Mouse King • In The Christmas Tree • Waltz Of The Snowflakes • The Magic Castle On The Mountain Of Sweets • Clara And Prince Charming • Chocolate (Spanish Dance) • Coffee (Arabian Dance) • Tea (Chinese Dance) • Trepak (Russian Dance) • Dance Of The Reed Pipes • Polichinelle (The Clown) • Waltz Of The Flowers • Pas De Deux (3rd Movement contains "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy") • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy • Grand Finale
Social-Emotional Learning
Listening to classical music has been shown to help with self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation. Since social-emotional learning is essential for children, incorporating classical music into your classroom or homeschool is a great way to support their development.
Talk about the emotions evoked by the selected music. What does the music make them feel? Happy? Sad? Anxious? Peaceful? Help students identify and label their feelings. Ask open-ended questions about the music and encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings.
Discuss the different instruments used in the piece of music. What does each instrument contribute to the overall sound? Encourage students to make up a story based on the music. What is happening in the story? Who are the characters? Where does it take place?
While listening, students can draw a picture or scene that comes to mind. What colors are used? What shapes? Why?
What's Included
Checkbox options - Time, nature, settings, instruments, colors, and more! Students can also color in the emojis that best describe their listening experience in the emoji grid.
The 'Inspiration Box' can be used for - Drawing/doodling, journaling, notes, poetry, etc.
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬
Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!
The Nutcracker Classical Music Listening Pack [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Music Appreciation Made Easy! Do you need engaging print-and-go activities and brain breaks for The Nutcracker? These activities will save you hours of planning time this holiday season. Just print and cue the music! Great for the period leading to winter break and are even great for your send-home packets!
The selections are available on YouTube or your favorite streaming service. There are no wrong answers, and no musical training is required, so add a few to your sub plans, too!
Learning Objectives
Featured Music (4 pages per piece)
Overture • The Christmas Tree • March • Gallop And Dance Of The Parents • The Presents Of Drosselmeyer • Grandfather Dance • Clara And The Nutcracker • Battle with the Mouse King • In The Christmas Tree • Waltz Of The Snowflakes • The Magic Castle On The Mountain Of Sweets • Clara And Prince Charming • Chocolate (Spanish Dance) • Coffee (Arabian Dance) • Tea (Chinese Dance) • Trepak (Russian Dance) • Dance Of The Reed Pipes • Polichinelle (The Clown) • Waltz Of The Flowers • Pas De Deux (3rd Movement contains "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy") • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy • Grand Finale
Social-Emotional Learning
Listening to classical music has been shown to help with self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation. Since social-emotional learning is essential for children, incorporating classical music into your classroom or homeschool is a great way to support their development.
Talk about the emotions evoked by the selected music. What does the music make them feel? Happy? Sad? Anxious? Peaceful? Help students identify and label their feelings. Ask open-ended questions about the music and encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings.
Discuss the different instruments used in the piece of music. What does each instrument contribute to the overall sound? Encourage students to make up a story based on the music. What is happening in the story? Who are the characters? Where does it take place?
While listening, students can draw a picture or scene that comes to mind. What colors are used? What shapes? Why?
What's Included
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬
Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!
The Nutcracker Story Writing Paper for Christmas [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just Print & Play! Do you need fun & engaging handwriting activities? These story sheets feature The Nutcracker! Compose a Nutcracker-themed story or use for seasonal handwriting practice.
The Nutcracker Classical Music Posters [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life with these colorful Nutcracker-themed posters for your bulletin boards! Each poster showcases a beloved musical piece from this enchanting ballet, bringing the magic of the stage right into your classroom or homeschool.
From the dreamy Waltz of the Snowflakes to the exhilarating Chinese Dance, these visually stunning posters will transport you to the Land of Sweets. Perfect for music appreciation, dance classes, or simply adding a touch of holiday cheer, these posters are a must-have for any Nutcracker unit study!
Featured Posters
Resource Benefits and Ideas
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬
Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!
The Nutcracker Jazz Suite by Duke Ellington [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities or music sub plans? These Nutcracker-themed printable listening sheets offer creative music appreciation! Most performances online of the full suite range from twenty to thirty minutes. Students will recognize some of the most familiar pieces! Great for incorporating jazz into this seasonal favorite.
The Nutcracker Suite was arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1960. The Ellington and Strayhorn arrangements are also the musical 'starting point' for "The Harlem Nutcracker."
Featured Music:
What’s Inside:
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬
Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!
The Nutcracker Free Teaching Guide [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Unwrap the Magic of the Nutcracker! Are you ready to transform your classroom into a winter wonderland? Our Nutcracker Teaching Guide is your ultimate guide to bringing the magic of this beloved ballet to life! Whether you've been teaching The Nutcracker for years or just starting your Nutcracker journey with students, this comprehensive resource is packed full of helpful reference points.
Brand new to The Nutcracker? These reference pages will give you the information you need to confidently share this Christmas classic with students in your classroom or homeschool! We've included three pages of reference for characters, settings, and dancers - and also a page of answers to common questions your students may have.
Dive deep into the enchanting world of the Nutcracker with:
With the Nutcracker Teaching Guide, you'll have a treasure trove of information at your fingertips. Use it to introduce the ballet to students or deepen their understanding and connection to this timeless connection. We hope this resource helps you create magical and unforgettable Nutcracker experiences!
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬
Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!
Nutcracker Bingo! Printable Christmas Game [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
"My students LOVED playing Nutcracker BINGO. It was a great activity to use after we learned about the history of and read a version of The Nutcracker. They were extremely engaged, and it was a great review of characters and dances from the ballet/story." - Rebecca M.
Add this BINGO game to your Nutcracker unit or winter sub plans! Students will enjoy racing to find Clara, the Mouse King, Godfather Drosselmeyer, and more! There are also a few festive objects like cupcakes and ornaments. Great for printing on Astrobright paper!
Product Includes:
Use mini-erasers, bingo chips, or other fun items as space markers. Students get 5 in a row to win!
More Nutcracker Resources!
Nutcracker Fairy Tale Story Listening Sheets (★ NEW!)
The Nutcracker Listening Sheets
The Nutcracker Listening Sheet Preview
El Cascanueces (En Español)
The Nutcracker Word Search
The Nutcracker Performance Journal
The Nutcracker Scene List
The Nutcracker Number Writing
The Nutcracker Activity Bundle
The Nutcracker Blank Sheet Music
The Nutcracker Music Notes Match
The Nutcracker Listening & Match Bundle
The Nutcracker & Festive December Bundle
► We know you'll love helping students create meaningful connections to classical music, so we are happy to share these free listening activities with you today!
Nutcracker Fairytale SEL Classical Music Activities [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? Nutcracker Story listening sheets combine music appreciation with a fairy tale theme! Students compose their wondrous tale by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar fairy tale objects inspired by the music. There’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!
What's Included:
Featured Compositions:
❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!
Nutcracker Numbers for Tracing/Handwriting Practice [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Do you need fun & engaging handwriting activities for December? These tracing and handwriting practice sheets feature The Nutcracker! Each page has a number to trace and write, with a coloring practice at the bottom. Blank pages (with pictures) are also included for additional practice or story writing.
Product Includes:
The Nutcracker Themed Pages:
Nutcracker Favorites Performance Journal Page [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
No Prep! Do you need engaging activities to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Students can note their favorite elements from "The Nutcracker" with this scrapbook-style journal/coloring page!
Favorite Boxes Include:
More Nutcracker Resources!
Nutcracker Fairy Tale Story Listening Sheets (★ NEW!)
The Nutcracker Listening Sheets
The Nutcracker Listening Sheet Preview
El Cascanueces (En Español)
The Nutcracker Word Search
The Nutcracker Scene List
The Nutcracker Number Writing
The Nutcracker Activity Bundle
The Nutcracker Bingo Game
The Nutcracker Blank Sheet Music
The Nutcracker Music Notes Match
The Nutcracker Listening & Match Bundle
The Nutcracker & Festive December Bundle
► We know you'll love helping students create meaningful connections to classical music, so we are happy to share these free listening activities with you today!
The Nutcracker Word Search for Christmas [from the Nutcracker Vault]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
No Prep! Word search activities offer many benefits for students. They can help students learn new vocabulary, improve spelling skills, and develop problem-solving abilities. These word search activities are great for reviewing musical concepts in a fun and challenging way! Word search activities also make engaging brain breaks and bell-ringers.
"My students enjoy doing something different in Music Class. This is the first time I used a word find. The students were engaged right away. I needed something to use after our Christmas performance. It was perfect and saved me a lot of time." - Bonnie L.
Do you need engaging activities to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Students can search for Nutcracker-themed words in this 15x15 word grid. Eighteen words can be found up, down, or across! Answer key included.
Fifteen Vocabulary Words
Word Search Benefits