This page offers extended content for teachers participating in the Orchestra Explorers® program.
Connections between the Fine Arts and achievement in other academic areas
Studying music is beneficial to students’ academic achievement and the development of a variety of social and life skills. Whether you are curious about these connections, or you want to share this information with a parent, school administrator, or local school council member, we are happy to offer this collection of findings.
Collection of Findings (PDF) >
The Firebird Folk Tale
Spanish translation for the Firebird Folk Tale (PDF) >
The story for Stravinsky’s ballet, The Firebird, closely resembles the story of Tsarevitch Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf. Click here for an extended and annotated version.
Igor Stravinsky, the composer of The Firebird
Follow links below to learn more about Stravinsky and The Firebird.
Read a biography of Igor Stravinsky >
Learn about the composition of The Firebird >
Discover the importance of The Firebird in Russian folklore >
Unit 2: What is a Folk Tale?
To support your exploration of The Firebird, please use the links below to find text for other popular folk tales.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Read an anotated version of the fairy tale >
Listen to an audio version of the story >
Beauty and the Beast
Read an anotated version of the fairy tale >
Read a shorter version of the story >
Read another version of the story, complete with illustrations >
Hansel and Gretel
Read an anotated version of the fairy tale >
Read a shorter version of the story >
Cinderella
Read an anotated version of the fairy tale >
Read a discussion of plot and setting in Cinderella stories >
Abiyoyo
Read about Abiyoyo, the homage to Pete Seeger >
View lesson plan materials for Pete Seeger's Abiyoyo >
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
Read about the Caldecott winning story by Verna Aardema >
View lesson plan materials for this story >
Unit 3: Dance of The Firebird
Submit examples of your students’ work: drawings of the Firebird’s flight path and the Firebird herself. Email scanned drawings to us at OrchestraExplorers@cso.org or mail them to:
The Institute for Learning, Access and Training
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
Units 4, 5, 6, and 7: coming soon!
