Keep Them Learning Before the Movie!
Alright—if you are at that point in the year where you are this close to summer and you’re thinking, “Can I just put on a movie?”… I hear you. I really do.
But what if you could still give your students that Peter and the Wolf viewing day they’re going to love… and keep them learning, moving, and actually engaged the whole time?
That’s exactly what this lesson does.
Watch a Full Video Walk-Through Here~
Let’s Get Started
The Perfect “Before the Movie” Lesson
This video is not just something to throw on. It’s the setup that makes watching Peter and the Wolf actually meaningful.
Instead of students passively watching, they walk into that viewing already knowing:
- Who the characters are
- What their music sounds like
- What instrument families they belong to
So when they finally watch the full performance, they’re not confused—they’re recognizing, connecting, and honestly feeling pretty proud of themselves.
You Press Play… and They Start Learning
This is one of my favorite types of lessons because it feels so easy on your end, but it’s doing so much for your students.
Right away, they’re introduced to Peter and his motif played by the string family. And instead of just hearing it, they get up and move like Peter.
Then we meet Grandfather with the bassoon, the bird with the flute, the duck with the oboe—and every single time, students are:
- Listening
- Moving
- Deciding what they hear
It never turns into that “sit and get” lesson. They are part of it the entire time.
Movement = Engagement (Especially Right Now)
Let’s be real—end of the year energy is a whole different level.
So instead of fighting it, this lesson leans right into it.
Students are:
- Flying like the bird
- Waddling like the duck
- Sneaking like the cat
And my favorite part? They’re switching movements based on what they hear. So they actually have to listen closely or they miss it.
That’s the kind of engagement that keeps things from spiraling.
They’re Doing Real Listening Work (They Just Don’t Know It)
Throughout the lesson, I’m constantly asking them to:
- Identify which character they hear
- Track the order of motifs
- Recognize when music changes
There’s even a section where they listen for multiple characters in a row and try to write down the order.
That’s some high-level listening… but because it’s tied to movement and story, they’re all in.
Rhythm Practice Built Right In
We also sneak in some rhythm work (because of course we do).
When the cat shows up, we break down the rhythm of the motif using:
- ta
- ti-ti
- longer note values
Then we clap it, move it, and try it again inside the music.
Same thing with the wolf—those faster patterns? Perfect for a little challenge without overwhelming them.
It’s a Lesson… and an Assessment
This is one of those lessons where you’re getting so much information just by watching them.
You can see:
- Who understands the characters
- Who can follow musical changes
- Who is feeling the rhythm
- Who needs a little more support
And you didn’t have to stop everything for a formal test to get it.
Grab This Lesson- Plus Our Entire Curriculum For a Free Month!
If you don’t love it after the month, the first charge is 100% refundable.
That means you can explore everything risk-free and see if it fits your classroom.
Also… This Is a Lifesaver Sub Plan
I’m just going to say it—this is a fantastic sub plan.
It’s structured. It’s engaging. It keeps students busy in a meaningful way.
And most importantly, it’s not one of those “survive the day” plans where nothing sticks. Your students are actually learning while you’re out.
If You Want to Take It Further
The video works beautifully on its own. Truly—press play and go.
But if you want to make it a full, ready-to-run lesson, you can grab everything that goes with it inside the membership:
- The Google Slides
- Movement breaks
- Rhythm play-alongs
- Digital and printable assessments
It’s all there, and you can try it free for a month. If it’s not for you, no problem—you can cancel, and even if you forget, that first charge is refundable.
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to make it to summer without losing your mind, this is one of those lessons that really helps.
It gives your students something fun. It keeps them moving. It keeps the learning going.
And when you finally hit play on Peter and the Wolf… they’re ready.
They’re not just watching—they understand it.
And honestly, that makes it so much more worth it.
Happy playing,
Leanna O’Brien
Founder of The Soaring Scarves Academy
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