Name me one homeschool mom that has not introduced their kids to Peter and the Wolf. 

I bet you can’t, because every homeschool mom I have come across has in one way or another always introduced their kids to Peter and the Wolf. 

So why am I even writing this post, then?

The reason is because even though they have introduced their kids to Peter and the Wolf, they have never really taken it further than simply listening to the composition. 

Are you one of those moms?

Don’t worry, you are not alone. 

I am still to come across a homeschool mom, who has been able to engage their kids further with this composition than simply listening, recognizing and identifying the different movements. 

So in this post, I am going to focus specifically on primary school aged kids and how you can engage your primary schoolers and get them to appreciate music through Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. 

I have also made a printable available with age appropriate activities to further your child’s learning, so don’t forget to download it, once you are done reading through this post. 

Composer Study

I’m assuming that your kids have already heard the different movements in Peter and the Wolf and know the entire storyline. 

If they don’t, then that is where you should start first, before implementing this idea. 

With this activity you can introduce them to Sergei Prokofiev. Help them complete a short presentation or create poster board detailing his life, compositions and contribution to music. 

The printables that are available with this post, will help you get started. 

Music Era

Prokofiev was a composer that lived in the early modern era of music or the early 20th century when a lot of really exciting developments were taking place in music. 

Ask your kids to research the modern era in music in terms of the instruments that were popularly used, the new genres of music that originated in the era and the big influencers or composers of the era. 

Thereby, they will learn many fascinating facts about the modern era in music and even want to learn more in depth about a specific genre of music or instrument. 

Instrument Store

Many different instruments are used in the movements in Peter and the Wolf. 

Why not take your kids out on a field trip to an instrument store to familiarize them with the instruments? 

They will be able to touch, feel, see and hear these instruments in person and you may come out with a youngster who wants to learn a specific instrument. 

Bonus

There is nothing better than taking in a live performance. 

So if you can find one in your area, then do your best to take your kids to watch a rendition of Peter and the Wolf. 

When you see how much they enjoy it, you will be glad you did. 

Now that you are done reading, don’t forget to download the printable. 

What other ideas can you dream up to engage your kids with Peter and the Wolf?

Watching movie musicals is one of the best ways in which, you can get primary school aged kids to appreciate music in the homeschool. 

Unfortunately however, most homeschool moms, have no idea how to take their 6 – 9 year olds learning to the next level. 

Therefore in today’s post, I thought I should focus on that specific aspect. 

Once you’ve read through this post, don’t forget to download the printables I have made available, for your primary schoolers. 

Got it?

Ok, then let’s get started. 

Songs

As a first step ask your kids to list out all the songs. 

If possible they can download or create a playlist with the movies’ songs and listen to the songs in the background in the homeschool, until they internalize the songs. 

Favourite/Least Favourite

Ask your kids to name their favourite and least favourite songs. 

Next, ask them to explain why they like the song, which they named as their favourite and explain why they named the song, they named as their least favourite. 

Emotions/Mood

Discuss moods, emotions and other aspects of the movie and its songs. 

They can analyse each song in terms of the mood and what makes the song happy or sad?

Is it the dynamics? Is it the lyrics etc?

Instruments Used

Next, ask your kids to analyse each of the songs in terms of the instruments that have been used in the songs. 

If they are up to it you can also ask them to compare and contrast each song against each other. 

Composers And Singers

Now, tell them to research about the composers and singers of one or two of the selected songs. 

If they choose two different songs, they can even make a presentation or lap book/flip book of each of the composers, their life and works etc. 

So what do you think?

Do you think your children will really enjoy these activities? 

Comment and let me know. 

If you want to know, how to add movie musicals to your homeschool library, you can read my post 7 ‘Genius’ Ways To Add Musicals To Your Home Library. 

My post, How To Have A Musical Movie Night, will help you make watching movie musicals a fun and enjoyable experience in your homeschool.