Spanish song that teaches the parts of the face.

Spanish Song: Las partes de mi cara (the parts of my face)

This is a lively and fun song to help teach preschoolers, kindergartners and first graders the parts of the face.

The parts taught in the song are: eyes, ears, mouth and nose. 
It is easy to learn because I arranged it to the familiar tune: Head, shoulders, knees and toes.

I became a little bit more creative and added some fun to the song by including an extra detail that kids happen love very much. Some teachers will say to me that the students really like the song with the "boom-boom". It is something simple but yet I have found it to be very effective. So this is what I do. I'm going to try and explain it here but if you listen to the song you will get a better idea.

So the song goes like this:
Las partes de mi cara (right after that there is a short pause)
Las partes de mi cara (another short pause)
Ojos, orejas, boca y nariz
Las partes de mi cara (short pause)

So this is what I do: after each short pause I will say "boom-boom" while hitting my two fists together. Simple right? but kids love it! In fact, I would say it's their favorite part of the song because all they do is anxiously wait for that part where they can say "boom-boom"

So the song will go something like this:

Las partes de mi cara (boom-boom)
Las partes de mi cara (boom- boom)
Ojos, orejas, boca y nariz
Las partes de mi cara (boom-boom)

 A useful tip:

Sometimes it's best to teach them the song without the "boom-boom" so that they can focus on learning the lyrics to the song. After a few classes and they are pretty much familiar with it then I will suggest adding the little extra part for added fun and something new.  I must say though that even if you start using the "boom-boom" from the start, the kids will still and eventually learn the lyrics.

Other ideas

Use the free flash cards I created to go with the song as a visual aid for introducing the parts of the face and also the song. The flash cards are very useful for kids that are more of a visual learner and the song is great for auditory learners and everyone else too since music is known to activate certain parts of the brain that helps retain information. 
In my experience though I notice that my auditory students tend to learn songs and lyrics faster; but everyone learns the songs at the end because music is definitely a universal language. 

Another way I teach this song is by having students repeat the words and also follow me as I point to the different parts of my face. 
Once students are familiar then I would say in Spanish: toca tu nariz" (touch your nose); "toca tu boca" (touch your mouth); "toca tus orejas" (touch your ears); "toca tus ojos" (touch your eyes)  if student don't know what to do I will do it as an example as I repeat the command again in Spanish. ( I try to avoid translating at this point)  This is a great opportunity to incorporate TPR (Total Physical Response) 
It only takes one or two classes for students to understand what you mean when you say these commands in Spanish. After a while they do it without me having to show them what I mean.

As they sing the song point to the parts of the face that is been mention.

You can also have a big face drawn and have students point to the different parts of the face. If you will like a picture of the face you can download it for free here.

Another great activity that works well as a supplement is a product I created called: "La cara, ¿que falta? (The face, what's missing?) this is a fun activity where students say in Spanish which part of the face is missing. If you are interested in it you can click here to learn more.

To purchase and/or hear a sample of the song: Las partes de mi cara click here.

Spanish song to teach colors

Los Colores

These songs are excellent for teaching and reinforcing the colors. It is a supplement to any activity involving the learning of colors.

The Spanish song: Los Colores includes six colors in Spanish: yellow, red, blue, green, orange and purple. "Más Colores" is another version of the same song that includes five more colors.

These songs have been used in preschool programs and also kindergarten graduation.

Here are some ways I have use them:

1.      Students are lined up side to side. Give each student a pair of scarves. Each student will have a different color scarf. Each student comes in front with the scarves and wave it as the appropriate color is mention in the song. At the end of the song everyone waves their scarves.

2.      Give each student a color crayon as shown in the picture below.  You can make this crayons yourselves using construction paper.  Each student raises the color when they hear the color they have. This is very good for helping students listen attentively and it also helps identify students that are still having trouble identifying the colors in Spanish.

I use these with my students but you can also create your own crayons using construction paper.

Other ideas:

1.      Students can dress up in their particular color of selection.

2.      They can wear wrist band colors

3.      Have a basket with different color items. Student finds the correct color as the song is been played. (for example, each time the color yellow is said in the song student should pick out something yellow out of the basket and at the end say along with the song: “me gusta amarillo”

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The items on the color cards can be use in a basket for students to select when it is time to pick out a color.

These are just some ideas. Hope you enjoy these activities with the songs.

You can use more colors with the other version "Más Colores" which includes five more colors but same melody.

To purchase and/or hear a sample of the Spanish song: Los  colores click here

To purchase and /or hear a sample of the Spanish song: Más Colores click here

Spanish song that teaches the animals

Spanish Song: Los animales (new version)

The Spanish song: “Los animales is a fun song for children 4 years and up. This song teaches the name of eight animals and the sound each one makes in Spanish. It is a fun, easy and catchy song to learn and sure to delight little ones. 

Kids and teachers equally love the animal song and it has become a favorite for many. The children have fun as they imitate the different sounds of the animals in the song. 

The eight animals found in this song are: cow, duck, pig, dog, cat, sheep, horse and rooster.

La vaca

El cerdo

El pato

El perro

El gato

La oveja

El caballo 

El gallo

I created large flash cards of these animals to go with the song. 

Here are some ideas I use with my students:

1. After children are familiar with the names of the animals we form a circle and I have smaller flash cards with the animals face down. ( I have at lease three cards of each animal) Each student gets a chance to turn over a card and name the animal in Spanish of course :-) 

2. I call this game the seek and find game. I hide several animal cards in the classroom. Students are to go in groups of 2 or three to find one or two animals. They come back and say the animal or animals they found. Again I encourage my students to say the names of these animals in Spanish.

3. Without showing the students the animals you can ask the following question in Spanish: "¿que sonido hace la vaca? (what sound does the cow makes?) In my experience, kids answer correctly to all or most of the questions because they already know the animals name well in Spanish.

4. The song is great to use in preschool programs. Kids can wear a mask of the animal they represent while singing when it is their turn.

The ideas and creativity are endless. Just be creative.

Be sure to keep posted for more fun and effective teaching songs! 

To hear a sample and /or purchase the animal song click here

To purchase the large animal flash cards click here

Create a Rhyming Game

Create a Rhyming Game

Here is a cute and easy way to create a game to help students learn rhyming words in Spanish.

You will need:

1.     Colorful construction paper

2.    Scissors

3.    Black marker or color of choice

4.    10 to 12 small, cute containers or bowls (more bowls or containers may be use depending on group size and preference)

Here are some ideas:

v  Select different colors of construction paper and cut them in strips. On one set of strips using the marker write Spanish words and on the other set of strips write the Spanish rhyming words to the first set of strips. Place a strip in each bowl. Students can pick a strip from one of the bowls and try to find which bowl has the rhyming word.

v  Place the strips of construction paper outside the bowls.  Divide students into two groups. Teacher says a word and one of the groups says the rhyming word. A bowl goes to the group that answers correctly. The group with the most containers wins.

v  Divide students into two groups. Assign equal amount of containers for each group. As each group finds a pair of rhyming words they put it in the container. The first group to fill all their containers wins!

Before playing the games students should already be familiar with all the words that will be use in the game.

These are just some ideas. You can create your own games and rules!

Have fun! J

   Here is a list of rhyming words you can use:

Spanish Vocabulary Cards

Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards set 1 

Game

I created this game to help reinforce the learning of the Spanish words found in Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards series.

Information about the game:

· This game is to be use with Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards set 1

· Make three copies of the cutout pages. (picture cards)

· For 2 to 10 players

· For ages 8 and up. 

Benefits of the game:

1. Help students in the practice of matching pictures and words correctly.

2. Increases student’s ability to name things in Spanish.

3. Help students sight read Spanish words.  

4. Help students make association between picture and word faster.

5. Help in the reinforcement of Spanish vocabulary.

Instructions for the game are include with purchase. Here, I am sharing more ideas to use with the game.  

Here is another idea on how this game may be used:

This is a little bit more challenging but useful for memorizing and speech practice.

Here it goes:

Players receive seven picture cards and one big card. As players try to match their picture cards with their big card they can trade their picture cards with other players. So for example one player could say: "I can trade la silla for el borrador ." Maybe another player might have "el borrador" and might need "la silla". Players decide whether or not too trade depending on the probability of the other player winning. This game becomes very interactive when students start trading their cards. It is very important to encourage students to say the words in Spanish. It helps for memory and association of words and objects.

Quick glance at the pictures and words that serves as a  reference guide for checking that the matches are correct.

Here is another idea to use these cards:

For this game only the picture cards are needed. Make several copies of them on card-stock  and cut them out.

Give player one or more picture cards. The player then gives description and clues of the card and the others players must guess the correct card and say it in Spanish.

Use the picture cards for creating stories:

Give students four or five cards (can me more or less cards depending on instructor's preference) and students create a story using the cards they have. If students are not able to say their entire story in Spanish then they can say it in English but should use the Spanish word in the story.

This game allows for a lot of creativity. The possibilities are endless on how these cards can be used. Feel free to create your own game and rules. 

Have fun! :-)

 To purchase the Flash Card set 1 Game Click here

 To purchase the Flash Card set 1 Click here

Spanish Flash Cards set 4

             Spanish Fun for Kids

                 Flash cards set 4

Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards are a set of fun cards approximately 5x3 in size. There are sets 1, 2, 3, and I just added set 4. Each set of flash cards have forty Spanish words with their corresponding picture.  Game ideas and recommendations are found along with the purchase of the cards. I have included here even more games/ideas that can be easily use with the cards.

The Spanish Fun for Kids flash cards can be use in many ways. Here are even more suggestions and ideas:

· Use them for learning new words in Spanish: Show the cards and have students repeat after

    hearing the pronunciation.

· Make up a story game: Students get one or more cards depending on group size and make up a short story using the cards they have. If students are not fluent in Spanish they can make up the story in English but should use the Spanish words for the cards they have.

· Who has it game: For this game you will need just the picture part of the card. Give each student 3 or 4 cards depending on group size. Teacher ask the question: “¿quién tiene la peinilla?” (who has the comb?) The student that has the comb says: “yo tengo la peinilla” (I have the comb) This game is also good way to teach students how to say “I have” in Spanish.

· What do you see game: For this game you will also need just the picture part of the card. Teacher puts a card inside a box or a basket with a lid. Select a student to look inside the box or basket. Teacher ask: “¿que ves? (what do you see?) Student responds: “Veo la luna” ( I see the moon) These games are excellent for encouraging speech while reinforcing the new words.

· The hunting game: Again for this game only the picture part of the card is needed. Teacher place several cards all over the classroom. Have students go on a “hunt” to find as many cards as they can. (2 to 4 students could go at a time depending on group size or for better control of the group and game.) Students come back to where teacher and the rest of the group are and say and show what they found. Example: let’s say a student found the card that has the compass, student will say: “encontré una brújula” (I found a compass)  This is also an excellent way to help students speak the target language.

To purchase Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards set 1 click here

To purchase Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards set 2 click here

To purchase Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards set 3 click here

To purchase Spanish Fun for Kids Flash Cards set 4 click here

Learn Spanish Adjectives the fun way!

Spanish Adjectives Flash Cards

These Spanish Adjectives Flash cards are great for teaching adjectives to students. I recommend using these cards with students from fourth grade and up but depending on your group of students you could even use them with third graders. There are two sets of cards: red and green. The red set of cards are divided in two groups: a) those with the Spanish adjectives with the English translation at the left corner and b) those with only the English translation. The green cards are also adjectives but these adjectives specifically describes people, their personalities and character. These green cards are also divided in two groups as the red cards.

There are a total of 80 adjectives cards. 40 red and 40 green. Introduce students to 4 or 5 adjectives at a time. Sometimes I like starting with the green cards because students have the opportunity to describe the positive traits of each other, their friends and family. It's a good way to practice speaking Spanish. As students start getting familiar with the adjectives you can start encouraging students to describe themselves and others. For example you can ask a student: "describe como eres." (that means: "describe how you are") or you could also ask student: "¿cómo eres?" The student can then say: "Yo soy inteligente, amable y honesta" (I am intelligent, kind and honest) For variation you can ask: "¿cómo es María?" or "describe a María" (meaning: "how is Maria?" or "describe Maria". In this case insert any name in your group.)

It is also important that students understands that these adjectives are gender specific.Here are two charts with all the adjectives on the red and green cards to explain this better.

You can also have students match the English with the Spanish adjectives to make a pair.

If you would like a copy of these charts just click here

To purchase the Spanish Adjectives Flash Cards click here