As the warmer months approach, it’s a great time to infuse some summer fun into your Spanish language classes! One way to do this is by introducing the chant “Ponle las gafas al sol” (Put Sunglasses on the Sun), which is not only easy to teach but also a lot of fun.
To get started, all you need are a few materials, such as paper and scissors, to create a paper sun and some paper sunglasses. The chant itself is short and simple, consisting of just a few lines that can be easily memorized by students of all ages and levels of Spanish proficiency.
As you lead your students in chanting “Sol, sol, sol, amarillo es tu color” (Sun, sun, sun, yellow is your color), you can incorporate some movement and gestures to make the experience even more engaging. For example, students can hold up their paper sunglasses as they sing, or even take turns placing them on the paper sun.
This chant is a great way to not only introduce some fun into your classroom, but it’s also a great way to welcome the summer season to your classes!
Your students are sure to love it, and you may just find that it’s a great way to keep them engaged and motivated throughout the season. ¡Feliz verano! (Happy summer!)
Boston is finally experiencing some wonderful weather, which has inspired me to take advantage of the outdoors before the end of the school year arrives. To review and reinforce some of the units we’ve explored this year, I’ve decided to dedicate the remaining days to playing outdoor games.
One game I introduced to my kindergarteners was a chant-based activity that we previously learned in the classroom. It was incredibly enjoyable, and all of the students were eager to participate. The game itself is straightforward and comes with a chant that guides movement and dancing:
“Un pato, un pato con una pata,
un pato con las dos patas,
un pato con las alitas,
un pato con la colita
y ahora te toca a ti!”
Translated into English, the chant means “A duck, a duck with one leg, a duck with two legs, a duck with wings, a duck with a tail, and now it’s your turn!” The children stand in a circle, and the chant is recited while everyone moves and dances according to its instructions. One child is then selected to dance in the middle of the circle while the rest of the class chants “pato, pato, pato!” or “duck, duck, duck!”
This game is never-ending because everyone wants a chance to be “el pato” or “the duck.” It’s a delightful way for the children to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while also chanting in Spanish.
If you’re interested, feel free to give it a try and let me know how it goes!
¡Hola! I am Carolina, a Colombian elementary Spanish teacher based in Boston, MA. Fun for Spanish Teachers is the result of my passion for teaching Spanish to children and my desire to inspire collaboration and creativity in a vibrant teaching and learning community. It’s the perfect stop if you are looking for songs, games, teaching tips, stories, and fun for your classes.
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