Teaching Spanish Colors with a Song
I come from a musical family. I’m sure that everyone who has married into my large extended family experiences the same “wow moment” the first time they hear us sing dinner grace in 3 or 4 part harmony. So, I grew up loving music and that love has followed me to my Spanish classroom. Plus, music and songs are such a fun way to use language! I incorporate music into my lessons as much as possible and whenever I’m teaching Spanish colors, we listen to El Gusano Tutu by Lauren Bruzonic.
There’s nothing sweeter than overhearing a little kindergarten student singing one of our Spanish songs in the hallway. Since they’re so catchy, learning songs is a wonderful way to start introducing young learners to a new language.
Getting Started with Teaching Spanish Colors
When I first start teaching colors, I show students simple slides of the color and have them repeat the Spanish word after me. I don’t find it necessary to say the English word at all here.
After they’ve heard and seen the colors several times, it’s time to find different colors around the room. It’s fun to have volunteers get up and show the class something in a certain color. “¿Dónde está algo rojo?” I also have students take out their artbox so they can find and hold up the correct color crayon.
Teaching a Song
I find it helpful to be really intentional when I teach a Spanish song to students. I learned part of this process from my days as a counselor at Concordia Language Villages in MN.
The first time I play a song for a class, we just listen as we watch the video. Then I play it again right away but I give students a job–something to listen for in the song. For example, I might have students raise their hand every time they hear the word “rojo.” Or one side of the room listens for “rojo” and the other listens for “azul.” Then switch!
Once students are familiar with the tune, it’s time to start learning the words line by line. The first few times, I have students repeat the spoken words after me.
I might say:
“Clase, repitan, Él es rojo.” (they repeat)
“Él es rojo.” (repeat)
“Él es verde.” (repeat)
“Él es verde.” (repeat)
Next I have students repeat after me singing the lines. Then we sing those two lines together slowly a few times before we continue with the next two lines.
This song is fairly simple but keep in mind that for longer or more complex songs, it’s okay to just teach part of the song.
Activities to Use with El Gusano Tutu
As students are working with this song, there are some fun activities that can help extend the learning.
Scarves
This first idea came to me from a colleague, the lovely Sra. Stauber. She gives all her students different colored scarves. When they hear their color in the song, they get up and wave their scarf–how cute! You wouldn’t have to use scarves; you could pass out colored cards or have students hold up a crayon or marker. I love that this activity has students actively listening to each color word in the song.
Coloring
Next up is some sort of listening/coloring activity. I find it important to give students a task at their seat that moves the focus of our lesson from the whole group to solo. This activity invites students to try and find the correct color on their own while providing a safe environment full of support if needed.
Most years I’ve used this coloring worksheet with this song. I ask students to color in one color at a time. Before coloring anything, I tell them the color and have students hold it in the air. Students who aren’t sure of the color can check those around them. *I let kids choose the color of the head and feet, ps.
Once the group is done coloring, you’re all set to listen to the song again while pointing to the different colors on their page!
For those who want a more in depth activity, I have a Gusano Tutu booklet in my shop. I use the booklet in much the same way as the worksheet, but there’s an option available for students to write in the color word as well. I also like that once it’s complete, students have a “book” they can take home and share with their families.
Mini Talent Show
Depending on the personality of the students in your class, it can be fun to have a “Sing Off” or “Mini Talent Show.” Once students know the song well, they get into groups to practice singing it on their own. Then groups/students that want to can present their version of the song to the class. It’s a fun way for those kids who enjoy acting to shine. I also love that it gives the class additional target language input.
Final Thoughts on Teaching Spanish Colors with Gusano Tutu
After students learn and work with a song in my class, we probably listen to it every other lesson or so as we continue with other unit activities (I see students three times a week). Hearing and seeing the colors in the context of a song is so beneficial to our young learners.
I also bring back some of our favorite songs throughout the school year to mix things up for our welcome song or as a brain break. For example, if we’re learning about México and talking about the colors that we see in photos, I might start that lesson with Gusano Tutu.
I encourage you to give El Gusano Tutu a try as you’re teaching Spanish colors this year. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list and save a copy of the FREEBIE!
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I come from a musical family. I’m sure that everyone who has married into my large extended family experiences the same “wow moment” the first time they hear us sing dinner grace in 3 or 4 part harmony. So, I grew up loving music and that love has followed me to my Spanish classroom. Plus, music and songs are such a fun way to use language! I incorporate music into my lessons as much as possible and whenever I’m teaching Spanish colors, we listen to El Gusano Tutu by Lauren Bruzonic.
There’s nothing sweeter than overhearing a little kindergarten student singing one of our Spanish songs in the hallway. Since they’re so catchy, learning songs is a wonderful way to start introducing young learners to a new language.
Getting Started with Teaching Spanish Colors
When I first start teaching colors, I show students simple slides of the color and have them repeat the Spanish word after me. I don’t find it necessary to say the English word at all here.
After they’ve heard and seen the colors several times, it’s time to find different colors around the room. It’s fun to have volunteers get up and show the class something in a certain color. “¿Dónde está algo rojo?” I also have students take out their artbox so they can find and hold up the correct color crayon.
Teaching a Song
I find it helpful to be really intentional when I teach a Spanish song to students. I learned part of this process from my days as a counselor at Concordia Language Villages in MN.
The first time I play a song for a class, we just listen as we watch the video. Then I play it again right away but I give students a job–something to listen for in the song. For example, I might have students raise their hand every time they hear the word “rojo.” Or one side of the room listens for “rojo” and the other listens for “azul.” Then switch!
Once students are familiar with the tune, it’s time to start learning the words line by line. The first few times, I have students repeat the spoken words after me.
I might say:
“Clase, repitan, Él es rojo.” (they repeat)
“Él es rojo.” (repeat)
“Él es verde.” (repeat)
“Él es verde.” (repeat)
Next I have students repeat after me singing the lines. Then we sing those two lines together slowly a few times before we continue with the next two lines.
This song is fairly simple but keep in mind that for longer or more complex songs, it’s okay to just teach part of the song.
Activities to Use with El Gusano Tutu
As students are working with this song, there are some fun activities that can help extend the learning.
Scarves
This first idea came to me from a colleague, the lovely Sra. Stauber. She gives all her students different colored scarves. When they hear their color in the song, they get up and wave their scarf–how cute! You wouldn’t have to use scarves; you could pass out colored cards or have students hold up a crayon or marker. I love that this activity has students actively listening to each color word in the song.
Coloring
Next up is some sort of listening/coloring activity. I find it important to give students a task at their seat that moves the focus of our lesson from the whole group to solo. This activity invites students to try and find the correct color on their own while providing a safe environment full of support if needed.
Most years I’ve used this coloring worksheet with this song. I ask students to color in one color at a time. Before coloring anything, I tell them the color and have students hold it in the air. Students who aren’t sure of the color can check those around them. *I let kids choose the color of the head and feet, ps.
Once the group is done coloring, you’re all set to listen to the song again while pointing to the different colors on their page!
For those who want a more in depth activity, I have a Gusano Tutu booklet in my shop. I use the booklet in much the same way as the worksheet, but there’s an option available for students to write in the color word as well. I also like that once it’s complete, students have a “book” they can take home and share with their families.
Mini Talent Show
Depending on the personality of the students in your class, it can be fun to have a “Sing Off” or “Mini Talent Show.” Once students know the song well, they get into groups to practice singing it on their own. Then groups/students that want to can present their version of the song to the class. It’s a fun way for those kids who enjoy acting to shine. I also love that it gives the class additional target language input.
Final Thoughts on Teaching Spanish Colors with Gusano Tutu
After students learn and work with a song in my class, we probably listen to it every other lesson or so as we continue with other unit activities (I see students three times a week). Hearing and seeing the colors in the context of a song is so beneficial to our young learners.
I also bring back some of our favorite songs throughout the school year to mix things up for our welcome song or as a brain break. For example, if we’re learning about México and talking about the colors that we see in photos, I might start that lesson with Gusano Tutu.
I encourage you to give El Gusano Tutu a try as you’re teaching Spanish colors this year. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list and save a copy of the FREEBIE!
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I come from a musical family. I’m sure that everyone who has married into my large extended family experiences the same “wow moment” the first time they hear us sing dinner grace in 3 or 4 part harmony. So, I grew up loving music and that love has followed me to my Spanish classroom. Plus, music and songs are such a fun way to use language! I incorporate music into my lessons as much as possible and whenever I’m teaching Spanish colors, we listen to El Gusano Tutu by Lauren Bruzonic.
There’s nothing sweeter than overhearing a little kindergarten student singing one of our Spanish songs in the hallway. Since they’re so catchy, learning songs is a wonderful way to start introducing young learners to a new language.
Getting Started with Teaching Spanish Colors
When I first start teaching colors, I show students simple slides of the color and have them repeat the Spanish word after me. I don’t find it necessary to say the English word at all here.
After they’ve heard and seen the colors several times, it’s time to find different colors around the room. It’s fun to have volunteers get up and show the class something in a certain color. “¿Dónde está algo rojo?” I also have students take out their artbox so they can find and hold up the correct color crayon.
Teaching a Song
I find it helpful to be really intentional when I teach a Spanish song to students. I learned part of this process from my days as a counselor at Concordia Language Villages in MN.
The first time I play a song for a class, we just listen as we watch the video. Then I play it again right away but I give students a job–something to listen for in the song. For example, I might have students raise their hand every time they hear the word “rojo.” Or one side of the room listens for “rojo” and the other listens for “azul.” Then switch!
Once students are familiar with the tune, it’s time to start learning the words line by line. The first few times, I have students repeat the spoken words after me.
I might say:
“Clase, repitan, Él es rojo.” (they repeat)
“Él es rojo.” (repeat)
“Él es verde.” (repeat)
“Él es verde.” (repeat)
Next I have students repeat after me singing the lines. Then we sing those two lines together slowly a few times before we continue with the next two lines.
This song is fairly simple but keep in mind that for longer or more complex songs, it’s okay to just teach part of the song.
Activities to Use with El Gusano Tutu
As students are working with this song, there are some fun activities that can help extend the learning.
Scarves
This first idea came to me from a colleague, the lovely Sra. Stauber. She gives all her students different colored scarves. When they hear their color in the song, they get up and wave their scarf–how cute! You wouldn’t have to use scarves; you could pass out colored cards or have students hold up a crayon or marker. I love that this activity has students actively listening to each color word in the song.
Coloring
Next up is some sort of listening/coloring activity. I find it important to give students a task at their seat that moves the focus of our lesson from the whole group to solo. This activity invites students to try and find the correct color on their own while providing a safe environment full of support if needed.
Most years I’ve used this coloring worksheet with this song. I ask students to color in one color at a time. Before coloring anything, I tell them the color and have students hold it in the air. Students who aren’t sure of the color can check those around them. *I let kids choose the color of the head and feet, ps.
Once the group is done coloring, you’re all set to listen to the song again while pointing to the different colors on their page!
For those who want a more in depth activity, I have a Gusano Tutu booklet in my shop. I use the booklet in much the same way as the worksheet, but there’s an option available for students to write in the color word as well. I also like that once it’s complete, students have a “book” they can take home and share with their families.
Mini Talent Show
Depending on the personality of the students in your class, it can be fun to have a “Sing Off” or “Mini Talent Show.” Once students know the song well, they get into groups to practice singing it on their own. Then groups/students that want to can present their version of the song to the class. It’s a fun way for those kids who enjoy acting to shine. I also love that it gives the class additional target language input.
Final Thoughts on Teaching Spanish Colors with Gusano Tutu
After students learn and work with a song in my class, we probably listen to it every other lesson or so as we continue with other unit activities (I see students three times a week). Hearing and seeing the colors in the context of a song is so beneficial to our young learners.
I also bring back some of our favorite songs throughout the school year to mix things up for our welcome song or as a brain break. For example, if we’re learning about México and talking about the colors that we see in photos, I might start that lesson with Gusano Tutu.
I encourage you to give El Gusano Tutu a try as you’re teaching Spanish colors this year. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list and save a copy of the FREEBIE!