Many classical music selections
lend themselves to historical enrichment.

Handel's Water Music was written for King George I of England who came from Germany as the heir to the English throne when Queen Ann died. George I spoke no English, but he knew and loved Handel who has also come from Germany. When children trace Handel's travels from Germany to Italy to England, and find London on the Thames River where Handel played his Water Music, both history and geography come alive.

When singing lyrics for Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, children learn about Shakespeare's play, but also about Renaissance England and Tchaikovsky's Romantic Era Russia.

You will find operas which take place in different lands (Aida, Carmen, Nabucco, Rigoletto, Die Fledermaus). These can stimulate study of history and world cultures.

Classical music is rich in allusions to mythology (Ride of the Valkyries, Orpheus and Eurydice) and folk tales (The Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, Peer Gynt).

Stories from the operas, myths and folk tales are included in the books.

Ideas for curriculum integration, for relating to history and culture, and for higher order thinking are also included in both the books with CDs and the Teacher's Guides.