We had so much fun in Spanish 4 today – and it was all quite by accident!
Each week I try to have a fun activity to build community, engagement, stamina, and creativity. We have a short week this week and I hadn’t yet worked in that fun element. So on a total whim, I decided to do an upbeat activity to start class instead of my typical (to this year) focused breathing practice. I grabbed a student and quickly taught them the clapping game Choco-lala. Instantly, the class perked up and wanted to learn, so we paired up and did a few rounds. Then the fun really began!
Here is a cute video if you’ve not done this. The best part, it’s all in Spanish! (This would me a GREAT level 1 listening activity!)
Variations on a Theme
- Students stood face to face.
- Students quickly switched partners.
- We stood back to back and did the clapping game ‘from behind.’
- I had students line up in two lines and face each other.
- I had one student in one line move to the end and everyone move one place to the left so they had new partners.
- We did it to the sides instead of to the front.
- We formed a circle and did it to the sides.
- (This is the BEST variation!) SOUL TRAIN STYLE!! Students clapped as high as they could to form a tunnel while the students on the end walked/ran down the middle.
Seriously, so. much. fun! And it was the perfect setup for playing The Unfair Game!
‘Doing school’ is so different this year and takes so much extra energy that this was such a nice breath of fresh air.
Try it out and let me know how it goes!
I am doing a “ covid “ version I found and borrowed from a teacher. She mentioned you. It’s been a success. Gracias