Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 207

The 4th grade students were really taken by the physical attributes of the mariachi instruments, the vihuela and the guitarron. We were able to tie in a mariachi song with our ukulele learning and mixed in our new instruments. We did some cross cultural referencing with Mexican celebrations such as Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Cinco De Mayo. Our school curriculum song from QuaverEd "El Cascabel" was an excellent chance for our kids to learn a very traditional mariachi song that speaks of and infuses many other typical mexican cultural aspects of topography, artisan crafts and music. The classes were broken down into 3 groups each on one of the 3 chords used in the song, a minor, d minor and E7. The classes then got to sing the very last line " Mi cascabel, en la arena". That means my rattle in the sand. They sing the line in the very traditional mariachi style, which resembles an operatic style. The kids have a lot of fun trying to hold those notes a really long time! We also mixed in some mexican sombreros to add to the authenticity. The instruments, songs and lessons really triggered lots of curiosity and desire to learn more about Mexico and other latin cultures as well. I look forward to many more mariaichi lessons and introducing these instruments to younger and older grades as well! Such a great impact on our music education here at LOE. Thank youall!