Third Graders are listening, analyzing, and describing the Carnival of the Animals Suite by Camille Saint-Saëns. This is a wonderful 14 movement work that sounds like many different animals. Students will imagine what the music depicts but this is also an opportunity to articulate a variety of music terms such as tempo, register, form, mood, and more. Students will be analyzing each element, discussing with partners, and taking notes individually. At the end of the unit, students will develop a new movement representing their school mascot. The guidelines for this composition will be researched and based on features of the school's mascot animal.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra program notes about Carnival of the Animals

Full Performance of Carnival of the Animals (youtube)