Watch a Full Video Walk-Through Here~

Why Red Sled Is Perfect for Younger Grades

The text is full of built-in musical prompts:

• Scrin scrunch scrunch scrunch

• Climbing up the mountain

• Sliding down the hill

The story practically teaches itself—students feel the beat, the tempo, the dynamics, and the movement just by following along.

Let’s Get Started

Step 2: Add the Action—Rhythms With Each Animal

As each animal approaches the sled, students:

• Tap the board to “see who’s coming”

• Chant at different pitch levels

• Use different articulations

• Change dynamics to match the character

Bear: loud, heavy, stomp-like
Rabbit: light, quiet, quick
Raccoon: sneaky, tip-toed, sudden

These vocal changes help them understand expressive elements through play.

Next, students complete simple ta/titi rhythms that help “the animals slide down the mountain.”
Examples include:

• sled sled snowflake sled

• snowman hat snowman hat

You may do these as a group or let students complete the matching rhythms on their printable/digital assessment sheet.

Step 3: Movement for Each Animal

To reinforce their musical choices, students move like:

• A giant bear climbing the hill

• A tiny rabbit hopping upward

• A sneaky raccoon tip-toeing

This creates a beautiful connection between movement, expression, rhythm, and story.

Step 4: Simple Solfege – Do, Mi, So

At the end of the story, students return to their chant:

“See the snow, it’s deep, deep, deep.”

This time, they sing it using do, mi, and so, practicing hand signs and seeing how pitch changes match the mood of the moment.

Students complete a short solfege task:

• Color the pitches

• Or write in do, mi, so (depending on your routine)

All available in both printable and digital formats.

Students ready for a movement break? Check out our super sledding movement break from below!

This lesson includes a fun winter-themed ta and titi rhythm assessment using words like sled, snowflake, and snowman hat. Each word naturally fits a simple rhythm pattern, so students can easily chant, clap, and identify ta and titi while staying engaged in the story. Whether they complete it on the Smartboard, digitally, or on a printable sheet, it’s a quick, playful way to gather real rhythm data without ever stopping the learning.This scarf dance lets students experience articulation and dynamics through movement—swirling for the snow, trotting for the sleigh, and gliding for the wind.

Students need a better challenge? Check out the sledding rhythm play along below! Including, half, quarter, eighth notes and half and quarter rests!

Why Teachers Love the 12 Days of Movement

December can be stressful—but your lessons don’t have to be.
Each 12 Days of Movement lesson includes:

• A written lesson plan

• A rhythm play-along

• A scarf dance

• Built-in assessments for rhythm and solfege

• All aligned to The Nutcracker for easy cross-connection

And best of all—it’s free for December and January through the Soaring Scarves Academy!
You’ll get:

• 12 ready-to-teach lessons

• My entire K–8 curriculum

• Movement breaks, scarf dances, and rhythm resources

• 20+ hours of professional development

Perfect for when you’re juggling concerts, assessments, and—let’s be honest—holiday survival.

Final Thoughts

Red Sled is one of the easiest, most joy-filled winter lessons for younger grades. The chanting, solfege, steady beat, and expressive movement pair beautifully with simple ta/titi assessments—giving you the data you need without disrupting the flow of learning. It’s gentle, musical, active, and absolutely perfect for December.

December Doesn’t Have to Be Chaos

Your lessons are ready.
Your movement is ready.
Your data is ready.
Your December is ready.

I hope you love teaching Red Sled as much as I do—and I hope it brings you a little extra calm and joy in the busiest time of the year.

Happy playing,
Leanna O’Brien
Founder of The Soaring Scarves Academy

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