Ballet and Classical Music

How can movement and music tell a story?

Grades 3-5 Lesson: Ballet and Classical Music

Grade Band: 3-5
Arts Subject: Dance, Ballet
Other Subject: English & Literature, Language Studies

SUMMARY
In this 3-5 lesson, students will choreograph a sequence of ballet movements to tell a story.
Students will explore conceptual and practical elements of classical ballet and learn basic
ballet vocabulary through demonstration.

PREPARATION
Learning Objectives
Students will:
● Define ballet vocabulary and movement.
● Apply the basic concept of rhythm to classical music.
● Compare the relationship between classical ballet and classical music.
● Research and gather information about the history of classical ballet.
● Describe the physical fitness benefits, entertainment, and career options for
classical ballet dancers and musicians.
● Create a storyline for a ballet.
● Choreograph an original story.
● Discuss the production with the audience both pre-performance and
post-performance.

Standards Alignment
National Core Arts Standards
DA:Cr1.1.3a Experiment with a variety of self identified stimuli (for example, music/sound, text,
objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences) for movement.
DA:Cr1.1.4a Identify ideas for choreography generated from a variety of stimuli (for example,
music/sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences).
DA:Cr1.1.5a Build content for choreography using several stimuli (for example, music/sound,
text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, experiences, literary forms, natural
phenomena, current news, social events).
DA:Cr1.1.3b Explore a given movement problem. Select and demonstrate a solution.
DA:Cr1.1.4b Develop a movement problem and manipulate the elements of dance as tools to
find a solution.
DA:Cr1.1.5b Construct and solve multiple movement problems to develop choreographic
content.

Lesson Connection: Ballet and Classical Music

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Updated July 2021
DA:Cr2.1.3a Identify and experiment with choreographic devices to create simple movement
patterns and dance structures (for example, AB, ABA, theme and development).
DA:Cr2.1.4a Manipulate or modify choreographic devices to expand movement possibilities
and create a variety of movement patterns and structures. Discuss movement choices.
DA:Cr2.1.5a Manipulate or modify a variety of choreographic devices to expand choreographic
possibilities and develop a main idea. Explain reasons for movement choices.
DA:Cr2.1.5b Develop a dance phrase that expresses and communicates an idea or feeling.
Discuss the effect of the movement choices.
DA:Cr2.1.5b Develop a dance study that expresses and communicates a main idea. Discuss
the reasons and effectiveness of the movement choices.
DA:Cr2.1.5b Develop a dance study by selecting a specific movement vocabulary to
communicate a main idea. Discuss how the dance communicates nonverbally.

Common Core State Standards

ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using
effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using
effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using
effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Recommended Student Materials

Editable Documents: Before sharing these resources with students, you must first save them
to your Google account by opening them, and selecting “Make a copy” from the File menu.
Check out Sharing Tips or Instructional Benefits when implementing Google Docs and Google
Slides with students.
● Slide: Ballet Positions and Movements
● Ballet Vocabulary
● Barre Exercises and Center Practice

Videos
● The Sleeping Beauty Playlist
● Behind The Magic of “The Sleeping Beauty” - Millennium Stage
● Tschaikovsky “Pas de Deux”
● Beginner Ballet with Monica Stephenson

Websites
● Map of France
● The American Ballet Theatre's Ballet Dictionary
● Pyotr Tchaikovsky
● The Kennedy Center Ballet
● The Washington Ballet

Lesson Connection: Ballet and Classical Music

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 ● The Ailey School

Teacher Background
Teachers should explore and familiarize themselves with ballet terminology. A good resource is
The American Ballet Theatre's Ballet Dictionary.

Student Prerequisites
Students should have some general knowledge of ballet and classical music, but this is not
required.

Accessibility Notes
Modify and adapt movements as needed. Allow extra time and space for dance movements.

INSTRUCTION
Engage
1. Create an environment and mood for learning about ballet. Display a small portable
ballet barre in the center of the room, a pair of pointe shoes, or a ballet tutu and tiara. Play
classical music from The Sleeping Beauty Playlist at a low volume and display pictures of
famous ballet dancers (stretching, warming up, performing, or rehearsing) from the slide, Ballet
Positions and Movements.

2. Ask students to listen for a few minutes as they observe the pictures and objects. Ask
students: What type of music are we listening to? What form of dance uses pointe shoes? Has
anyone ever seen a ballet performed? How is ballet different from other forms of dance? Where
do you find dance/ballet in everyday life? How does dance/ballet keep us physically fit or give
us recreational enjoyment?

3. Record and discuss students’ responses on the board or chart paper. Tell students they
are going to explore the relationship between ballet and classical music.

Build
1. Display a Map of France. Explain to students that most ballet vocabulary is in the French
language. Ask students: What do you know about France or French culture?

2. Distribute the Ballet Vocabulary handout and discuss basic ballet terminology. Share
the resource, The American Ballet Theatre’s Ballet Dictionary, so students can research the
words on the vocabulary list. Have them listen to the pronunciation of the words and explore
more in-depth descriptions of the terms.

3. Share the slide, Ballet Positions and Movements. Have students explore each slide and
watch clips from the video Behind The Magic of “The Sleeping Beauty” - Millennium Stage
which demonstrates ballet positions and movements (plié, port de bras, tendu, relevé). Have

Lesson Connection: Ballet and Classical Music

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Updated July 2021
students break into pairs or groups to explore each vocabulary term described in the video
clips. Ask students to practice the positions and movements to further synthesize the terms.
Demonstrate and practice with students dégagés, grand battement, chassé, grand jeté,
pirouette, and curtsy/bow.

Apply
1. Have students participate in a short ballet class. Ask students to stand and start with a
few stretching exercises. Then explain to students that all ballet classes are divided into two
parts, Barre Exercises and Center Practice. Using the terminology that was explained above to
teach a simple ballet class. Start by explaining the appropriate posture and how to stand at the
barre. Make sure the exercises given are appropriate for the age level of your students.

2. Show students an example of Tschaikovsky’s “Pas de Deux.” Ask students to uses their
senses to describe classical ballet music. Record the descriptive words on the board. Explain
that ballet is usually choreographed in phrases of 8 beats. Explain the 1-2-3 count of a waltz,
as it is a popular type of musical phrase in classical ballet.

3. Play samples of classical ballet music. Ask students: What is the connection between
classical music and ballet? Count out the beats with the students.

4. Have students work collaboratively in small groups to write a short story that includes
elements of a short story: character, setting, conflict, plot, and theme. Students can write
about characters such as a king and queen, royal courtiers, and town citizens. Provide
feedback and support to students throughout the writing process.

5. Designate spaces in the room for each group to choreograph a small sequence of
dance steps (16-32 counts) that reflects a key moment in their short story. Each group
should have dancers, a choreographer, and a music technician. Have students explore
classical music to identify a song to pair with the sequence of dance steps and the theme of
the short story. Facilitate through the groups providing feedback and support while they
choreograph their dance steps.

Reflect
1. Provide a space for students to perform their choreographed sequence. Have each
student or group give mini-performances for each other. Assess students’ knowledge of
beginning ballet concepts through their use of positions and movements. Ask students: Ask
How do movements express ideas, feelings, or events?

2. Have students discuss the performances using the ballet vocabulary they learned. Ask
students: How does ballet relate to society, healthy living, and entertainment? What kind of
careers are available in the dance field?

Lesson Connection: Ballet and Classical Music

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Materials may be reproduced for educational purposes.
Updated July 2021
3. Introduce students to local or national ballet companies and schools. Have students
explore The Kennedy Center Ballet, The Washington Ballet, or The Ailey School to learn more
about ballet training.

Extend
1. Introduce students to Beginner Ballet with Monica Stephenson to expand on beginning
ballet concepts. Students can use a barre, a chair, or a countertop that comes to waist level to
participate in the lesson.

2. Divide students into cooperative learning groups. Tell students they are going to create
their own video demonstrating beginner ballet positions and moves. In the video ask students
to use the Ballet Vocabulary they learned and define each position or movement. Designate a
choreographer, voiceover, ballet dancer, videographer, and music technician. Have students
create a 1 - 3 minute instructional video.

3. Have students present their instructional videos or upload them to a platform. Ask
students to discuss the videos and make scholarly comments about what they learned.

Credits
Original Writer, Amy Lotierzo
Adaptation, Jen Westmoreland Bouchard
Editor, JoDee Scissors

Lesson Connection: Ballet and Classical Music

Copyright The Kennedy Center. All rights reserved.
Materials may be reproduced for educational purposes.
Updated July 2021