8 ‘Unbelievably Innovative’ Ways To Teach Music Appreciation Through Peter & The Wolf

As many homeschool moms already know, Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev is a wonderful composition to introduce young kids to music. 

However, what most don’t know is – this composition is not only meant to be studied by pre-school and primary school kids, but with the correct combination of activities, it can be used to engage and introduce older kids like tweens and teens to music as well. 

So in this post, I am going to discuss eight very innovative ways in which, homeschool moms can use this freely available composition to get kids of all ages to appreciating music. 

Once you are done reading this post, remember to download the worksheets I have made available, the printable includes worksheets for each age group (pre-school, primary school, middle school and high school kids). 

Ready?

Let’s get started. 

Compare Mood Of Movements And Learn Storyline

With younger kids you will have to relate the story to them first, if you think it’s too advanced for them. 

Older kids should listen to all the movements, learn the storyline and then select two movements to compare with each other. 

When comparing they can use elements such as mood, instruments used, pace etc and write a short essay. 

Identify The Instruments Used

Younger kids and older kids alike can do this activity. 

Try to guess the different instruments, discuss why a specific instrument is used (flute to depict joy/summer etc). 

Older kids can learn about a specific instrument in depth (the family it belongs to, its origin and evolution, the part it plays in the orchestra etc). 

The Composer

Again this activity can be used to engage both younger and older kids alike. 

With younger kids you can just tell them that the composer was Sergei Prokofiev, he was a composer of the modern era in music etc. 

On the other hand older kids can carry out a research project to learn about Prokofiev’s early childhood, musical education, compositions, contemporaries and contribution to music etc. 

Research The Era In Music

Prokofiev lived in the modern era in music. 

You can tell younger kids what this means (he lived in the 1900s), teach them about some of the different genres of music that originated in the modern era, and name some composers. 

Older kids on the other hand can carry out research projects on all of the above – the genres in music that originated in the modern era, the famous composers of the modern era, etc. 

They can also compare the modern era in music to the romantic era in music in terms of musical styles and contribution. 

Instruments And Moods

In Peter and the Wolf, different instruments have been used to depict different moods, such as the bassoon to depict grandfather’s booming angry voice. 

Younger kids and older kids alike can reflect on the instruments, the sounds and how those sounds portray the characters. 

With older kids you can take this a step further and ask them to critically analyze, the use of different instruments in each of the movements. 

Field Trip

You can take kids of all ages on a field trip as a means of engaging them further. 

How about a field trip to an instrument store to actually touch, feel, see and hear the instruments used in Peter and the Wolf?

Can you think of anything more fun than that?

Visit The Zoo

Peter and the Wolf ends with the wolf being taken to the zoo in a parade. 

So what better way to engage younger kids than to take them to the zoo as well?

Live Performance

If you are lucky to live in a big city like New York for instance, I’m sure you will be able to find local renditions of Peter and the Wolf and you can take your kids to watch it. 

Look out for these performances even if you live a smaller city, who knows you may find one and your kids will enjoy it so much. 

Can you think of more activities to engage your kids?

Which one of the above will you be using first?