Listening Lesson: 'One-Dog Canoe'

thumbnail-one-dog-canoe
Courtesy FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra

Age Range: Elementary, Grades K-3

Learning Objective: Students will learn about orchestra instruments while listening to Daniel Nass’ One-Dog Canoe.

Overall Description: Listening Lessons guide students through one piece or movement of music, using listening maps and suggested activities to cultivate deep listening skills.

Total Listening Time: 10:10

Total Lesson Time: Approximately 20 minutes

Download This Free Lesson Plan

Download This Free Coloring Activity

LISTEN to One-Dog Canoe

First, listen to One-Dog Canoe by composer Daniel Nass.

00:00
0
listen
[0]
Nass -- One-Dog Canoe

INTRODUCE One-Dog Canoe, its performers, and its composer

  1. The musical composition One-Dog Canoe was commissioned by FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra in 2019 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its Kinder Konzert programs and is dedicated to Ara, founder of Kinder Konzerts, and Rod Burwell.

  2. Meet the performers using these cards.

One-Dog Canoe performers
'One-Dog Canoe' performers
Courtesy

4. Meet the composer, Daniel Nass:

Daniel Nass
Daniel Nass
James Napoli/APM

"Hi. My name is Daniel Nass, and I am the composer of One-Dog Canoe. I've been writing music for about 25 years. One of the ways I choose to get inspired to compose is to spend time in nature, which was a perfect way to prepare for this work. While I didn't actually find any beavers, loons, bears, wolves, moose, or even frogs during my time researching in the outdoors (I had to go online to learn more about those animals), it did put me in the right mindset to compose. I had a great time working with this wonderful book and writing this piece!" Listen to more of Daniel Nass' music here.

EXTEND learning about One-Dog Canoe

Choose one or more activities to extend learning.

  1. Recreate the story with an art project. Print out this activity book to extend the experience and reinforce lessons and concepts in the music. The instructions on the booklet will tell you exactly what to do.

  2. Read more about the composition of this piece here and here.

  3. Find out more about the original One-Dog Canoe book by Mary Casanova.

  4. Learn about FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Related Lesson Plans

Logo YourClassical Class Notes

YourClassical is a public media organization and your support makes it possible.

Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

©2025 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved.
Facebook icon
YouTube icon
Instagram icon