Teaching Elementary Music in Spanish-Speaking Majority School
Hi Music Educators!
My school is around 90% Spanish-speaking and this is the first year they have had a standalone music classroom, yay! I speak some Spanish, been around it my whole life, and students understand and light up when I speak it (although I do need more phrases in my tool-belt if you can suggest!) Most students can speak English, although they admit their fluency isn’t as high as it could be yet.
I am wondering if anyone else is in a similar position and has ran into the issue of name games and hello songs? “Jump In, Jump Out” (JIJO), “Up the Ladder, Down the Ladder”, and so-mi “My Name is…”, pat pat “say name” are not working for us, but maybe that’s a common theme anywhere, especially with a new program and new names to learn.
I guess my main question is: should I pivot to a more instrumental-music experience or continue vocal-music as well? I was hoping for both, especially since I get more days with them per week than typical. I like vocal musical games, subtraction and addition songs, and songs with choreography. I am not sure if that is a good idea with how often I am reexplaining things (like, having to reexplain JIJO or sing So-Mi names every other student - I am not trying to sound rude, this is just our reality!). I was using MusicPlayOnline and Essential Elements Music Class if it matters!
They do actually LIKE the name games, which is a relief, but freezing up/not understanding/checking-out is frequent.
Another issue I think is contributing is that I do not yet know these students names, so it takes especially long for that reason to complete name games. They are also shy which leads to them getting really quiet come their turn. I don’t do it with every student, but I find myself asking them to speak up when saying their name over and over again with almost no change in their volume, then I attempt their name to see if I am at least somewhat close, but I am wrong most of the time, which leads the class to breaking out in laughter. It takes up a lot of time.
My scaffolding:
- Watch video first, if available
- Project lyrics & instructions
- Echos (I say/We say/You say)
- Hear my example
- Think about what they will say
- Practice with a friend
- Practice having EVERYONE say their response aloud all at once so it’s not just them speaking by themselves (<— this request understandably caused some confusion)
- Finally attempt song/name game with some heavy hand-holding, then less so as days pass.
I tried name games again today, then asked them to say their name while in line as they left.
They are still quiet, leading to me getting their name wrong, and now they’re annoyed. 😫 I only have list-rosters, even then those were tough to get bc of confidentiality. I am not able to get picture lists, but will try to ask their classroom teachers.
Suggestions much appreciated!