The Nutcracker Lapbook

As I was reading The Nutcracker and The Mouse King In Verse, I came upon some words I did not know what the meaning was, like murther. So here is a list of words I think some kids might ask, 'What does ___ mean?'. Most, if not all, are taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.

murther – murder

maiden – an unmarried girl or woman

dismay – to affright or terrify

vain – empty, worthless

mend – to repair, to correct

vengeance – The infliction (to apply) of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense.

alter – to change, to make different

fate - event predetermined, destiny

caressed – Treated or embraced with affection.

weary – tired, fatigued

herald – to introduce

hearth – a fireplace

gleam – to shine, to cast light

carillon – A little bell. Also, a simple air in music, adapted to the performance of small bells or clocks.

traversed - To travel or pass across, over, or through. To move to and fro over; cross and re-cross.

tattoo – A beat of drum at night, giving notice to soldiers to retreat, or to repair to their quarters in garrison, or to their tents in camp.

wainscot – In building, timber-work serving to line the walls of a room, being made in panels.

quell – To crush, to subdue, to cause to cease.

valor, valiant – courage, bravery

martial – pertaining to war

wince – to shriek, as from a blow or from pain

stagger – to move to one side and the other in standing or walking.

gambolled – a skipping or leaping about in frolic

sweetmeats – Fruit preserved with sugar; as peaches, pears, melons, nuts, orange peel and the like.

placid – gentle, quiet, undisturbed

stolidly – dullness of intellect, stupidity

meandered – to wind or turn in a course or passage

barcarolle – a folk song sung by venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music composed in that style.

ardor – warmth, or heat, applied to the passions and affections

reign – to rule

We really enjoyed watching Barbie in The Nutcracker.

Now that we will be reading the original story, we can compare the two.

This will be a good time, as with any other Disney movie, to tell of the importance of reading the original fairy tales instead of taking Disney at its word.

Nothing wrong with the Disney movie, but I think the kids should at least have the chance of hearing or reading the stories the way the author has written them.

Here are More Nutcracker Movies for you to choose from.

Terms and Conditions of Use: Personal use only. No part of this study can be used for resale.