Summer Spanish parents!
Below you will find links to the music I am using with your children this summer. You can click on the link to hear a sample of the songs or to purchase the CD (or MP3 version in some cases.) I am still figuring out how to link iTunes to my page. Until then, if you prefer to download music through iTunes, you can simply search for the name of the song, artist, and/or album there.
The first CD is one of my favorites for the lyrics and the sound. The songs I use most often are "Hola, Hola, Hola", "Yo Me Llamo", and "Adiós". If I were looking to purchase one CD, this would be my choice:
The Dr. Jean CD has some fun songs on it, and many of the children have probably heard the English equivalent of many of the songs. I don't think you can purchase individual songs for this one, so I have just placed the link to the whole CD. We sing "Hola Amigo" to start each class.
I use lots of songs from the Whistlefritz albums. We will be using "Las estaciones" from the Cha, Cha, Cha album this summer.
José Luis Orozco is another artist with lots of traditional songs. All of his CDs are useful for learning. I am linking to just one song here, though, because this one is great for getting your mouth used to pronouncing Spanish. I often tell the children that it is easier to pronouce Spanish if you are smiling (a big smile). The song is about a fly that has landed on the wall. The words are:
Una mosca parada en la pared, en la pared, en la pared (repeat.)
Una mosca, una mosca, una mosca parada en la pared (repeat.)
Each time you sing the song, you replace all the vowels with just one vowel, so you get lots of practice making that sound in Spanish.
"Arriba, abajo" is a favorite among the students. They put their hands up, down, in front, or behind as they say those words. It's catchy- a quick and easy song to learn.
Many of you have asked me to work with the students on the seasons. This is a very simple song that goes through the seasons (la primavera, el verano, el otoño, el invierno), then says, "these are the four seasons" (las cuatro estaciones del año éstas son). It is very catchy and easy to learn, and it's also fast, so it is another excellent song to play to warm up your mouth for speaking Spanish. "Invierno" is a word you will be able to pronounce more accurately if you are smiling :)
I use this song as a clean-up song. It's catchy and enough time to clean a room if everyone pitches in! It would be a good one to play around the house when you need to clean up quickly.
Finally, some of you were mentioning how overwhelming it can feel to hear lots of Spanish. This is a book I have used and recommended to others if you want an inexpensive way to practice the basics of Spanish (it's survival Spanish-- not a formal program). I like the book because it gives you strategies on how to listen and communicate with someone who speaks only Spanish.
Thanks for the opportunity to work with your children! It is such fun working with the Immersion kids- they are eager to communicate. I love it!!
