The Nightingale —
Classroom Resources

Bring The Nightingale to your classroom through ARTSEDGE lessons!

In this series of arts-integrated lessons based on The Nightingale, students can analyze elements of the score; participate in various theater exercises; complete visual art projects (such as creating their own nightingale); and take a look at various traditional Chinese art forms.

Nightingale Sounds

This integrated unit is written to be used by the music teacher and/or the classroom teacher. It correlates with the John F. Kennedy Center’s production of The Nightingale. This dance-theatre production is an adaptation of the story written by Hans Christian Anderson. These lessons can be taught before or after students see the performance, but they can be used even without attending the show.

As an exciting extension to this unit, ARTSEDGE has created a special online interactive feature for kids ages 8-12. Check out our Listen and Learn activities!

Nightingale

Students are given the opportunity to explore the world of the popular Hans Christian Andersen tale, "The Nightingale," through five arts-related lessons. First and second grade students create a patterned necklace and write "If" poems about the elusive bird. Third and fourth graders reseach Chinese instruments and make some of their own. In another lesson, the whole class contributes to the understanding of real nightingales by exploring the birds from many different points of view. All students can use their creativity to design a mechanical nightingale.

The Nightingale Cuesheet

Based on a centuries-old Chinese story retold by Hans Christian Andersen, The Nightingale follows the tale of a greedy emperor who captures a sweet-singing nightingale to keep for himself, only to learn valuable lessons about friendship and freedom. This performance guide helps students understand this magical fable through activities, behind-the-scenes information and more!