Here is a Listening Activity for Music Lessons about Antonio Vivaldi:

The Four Seasons: Spring 1st Movement.

Before listening to the 1st Movement of Spring, discuss what kind of things you associate with Spring. Brainstorm a list (e.g. flowers blooming, birds etc) and talk about what musical effects/sounds you could possibly use to represent them. Next, read the English translation of the Italian sonnet that Vivaldi’s Spring is based on:

Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.

Now, as you listen to the music, identify the elements as they occur (birds, streams, thunderstorms and birds again). Afterwards, discuss the techniques Vivaldi uses to portray these images.