Story Orchestra: Carnival of the Animals: Musical Puzzle
The Story Orchestra Series
What’s inside...
This engaging book introduces young readers to the magical world of classical music through an adventure with various animals. As children journey through this illustrated book, they encounter a series of musical puzzles and challenges, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of music.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which animal in the carnival was your favorite and why did you like it?
How did the music make you feel when you were listening to different animals?
What kind of music would you imagine for an animal not in the book?
If you could be any animal from the carnival, which one would you choose and why?
Can you think of a story about the animals where they all go on an adventure together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use emotive language to describe the music and ask your child to do the same, enhancing their emotional vocabulary.
Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite animal, using the music from the book as a background to inspire creativity.
Play the music associated with each animal before reading about it, and ask your child to guess which animal they think the music represents, enhancing their listening and analytical skills.
After discussing the book, collaborate with your child to create an additional 'animal' and select or create music that matches your new animal, fostering creativity and imagination.
Discuss the instruments heard in each musical piece, linking them to the animal it represents, to deepen appreciative skills for music and understanding of its elements.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of classical music
Explanation: Through the engaging format of a musical puzzle, children are introduced to classical pieces by Camille Saint-Saëns, enhancing their musical horizons.
Real-World Application: Children can develop a lasting interest in music, attending performances or learning to play an instrument themselves.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: As characters in the book work together to solve puzzles, children see the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: This can inspire collaborative activities in school or at play, where effective teamwork is essential.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The puzzle format of the book encourages children to think critically and creatively to solve challenges presented in the story.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these critical thinking skills in academic settings or in everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Animal recognition and characteristics
Explanation: Each musical piece portrays different animals, which can help children learn about animal behaviors and traits.
Real-World Application: This knowledge can be applied on nature outings, in science classes, or during storytelling about animals.