Danse Macabre Listening Activities
Bring the story of Danse Macabre into your upper elementary or middle school music classroom. The presentation, short audio excerpts and student response sheet guide students as they explore how Saint-Saëns uses music to portray the action.
For: Grades 5–8
Format: Printable PDF | Audio | MS PPT
USD$ 5.49
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What's included:
- 24-slide PowerPoint presentation
- 15 short MP3 audio clips
- PDF copy of the PowerPoint presentation
- Two-page student question-and-response sheet
- Copy of the Henri Cazalis poem
- Timed listening guide
- YouTube performance link
Students will:
- Listen closely to selected excerpts from Danse Macabre
- Connect events in the poem with the music
- Describe what they hear and explain their ideas
- Explore how a composer tells a story through music
How to use:
Present the PowerPoint to guide students through the listening lesson, using the audio clips to focus attention on particular sections. Alternatively, display the PDF presentation and play the included MP3 clips separately.
Read the poem with your class and use the timed listening guide to follow the story during the performance. Pause for students to share observations, revisit excerpts and explain how the music represents the action.
Students can complete the question-and-response sheet during or after listening. Use their responses to support class discussion and check understanding.
