Getting students to think creatively can sometimes be difficult. Carnival of the Animals is a great Musical Suite to do this with. This task gives students the opportunity to think about how music can paint pictures in their minds through and create artworks to match. Opportunity for reflection on their ideas comes after they have listened to the orchestral pieces and compared ideas.

My students have loved comparing their ideas with the composer's, knowing that they are neither right nor wrong - just different. Many students have found new and creative ways to write their own music just from this understanding.

This resource includes:

- Teacher notes, with explanation of the thinking behind this task

- A suggested lesson outline

- Links to the music

- THREE listening pages of varying levels, from easy to free thinking