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The Firebird

Students will learn about the ballet 'Firebird,' by Igor Stravinsky - study the folklore, the music, the costumes, and work collboratively to create their own version of the story.

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
1:1 Lesson

Lesson Created By: CassidyReynolds

Essential Question

How can we use music, dance, and costumes to help tell a story?

Grade(s):

  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

iPad app: Sock Puppets (optional)

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

1. Introduce students to the Russian folklore, 'The Firebird' as told on the Classics for Kids activity sheet.  Go over the characters and discuss the plot as a class.

2. Allow students time to learn about the composer, Igor Stravinsky.

3. After learning about his career and influence as a composer, listen to some of his music, including "Infernal Dance" from his ballet, 'The Firebird.'

4. Discuss ballet, including components such as: dance/choreography, music, costumes, theatre, etc.
Michel Fokine
Firebird Costume 1
Firebird Costume 2

5. Divide students into small groups.  Using the the Sock Puppets iPad app (puppets found in the Classics for Kids PDF or student-made puppets can be used if using in a classroom that is not 1:1), students can collaborate to create their own way to tell the story of the "Infernal Dance" portion of 'The Firebird' folklore (synopsis can be found in the Classics for Kids activity sheet PDF).  Groups can present their story along to the music or with their own dialogue/narration.

Igor Stravinsky photo on Knowitall.org Artopia

Igor Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882 in Oranienbaum near St. Petersburg, Russia. He started piano lessons at the age of nine and began the serious study of composition. At the age of 20 as a law student he met Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and became his private student. His conservative early scores were greatly influenced by his teacher and by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Stravinsky’s defining musical development came when he composed three ballets for Sergei Diaghilev’s Paris-based Russian ballet company He composed The Firebird (1910), Petrouchka (1911), and The Right of Spring (1913). All three ballets were based on Russian folk tales. He is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.

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Ballet Costume for "The Firebird" on PBS Learning Media

Watercolor drawing of a costume for "The Firebird" by Leon Baskt (1866-1924).

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1910 Costume Design for "The Firebird" on PBS Learning Media

1910 watercolor costume design for "The Firebird" by Leon Baskt (1866-1924).

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Photograph of Michel Fokine and Tamara Karsavina from "The Firebird" Ballet on PBS Learning Media

Black and white photograph of choreographer, Michel Fokine, and principal ballerina of the Imperial Russian Ballet, Tamara Karsavina, in "The Firebird," 1910.

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Classics for Kids Activity Sheet for "Infernal Dance" by Igor Stravinsky

Student activity sheet for "Infernal Dance," a piece from Stravinsky's ballet, "The Firebird."

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Assessments

Student worksheet