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Hispanic Heritage Music Tournament: A Harmonious Journey in Language and Culture for Third and Fourth Graders

Barbara Medina
And the winners are...
3rd Grade:
Contracorriente: David Bisbal, Álvaro Soler (Spain)
4th Grade: La vida es una: Karol G (Colombia)

Our third and fourth graders recently completed an exciting and educational musical journey! Throughout the month, Alejandro Monedero and I hosted a Hispanic Heritage Music Tournament, showcasing songs by various Hispanic singers from different Spanish-speaking countries. This tournament was not only a fun way for students to engage with music but also an opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the Spanish language and culture.

Each day, we introduced a pair of songs from the bracket, and students voted on their favorite. The songs spanned a range of genres and came from countries like Colombia, Puerto Rico, Spain, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The students' votes drove the progression of the tournament, eliminating songs until a final winner was determined. It was exciting to share the results between the third and fourth grades and see how their musical tastes aligned or differed, especially since some of the songs had been favorites in previous years.

While the tournament was a hit with the students, we saw it as more than just fun. Listening to music in a second language is a powerful tool for language acquisition. It enhances vocabulary, improves pronunciation, and builds listening comprehension. By regularly exposing students to authentic language patterns through music, we created a memorable and engaging context for learning. The kids loved singing along, and it was incredible to see how quickly they picked up the lyrics, even with songs they hadn’t heard in a while.

Here are the songs in our tournament lineup this year:
  • Yo Contigo, Tu Conmigo: Álvaro Soler, Morat (Spain, Colombia)
  • Mi Primer Millión: Bacilos (Colombia)
  • La Copa de la Vida: Ricky Martin (Puerto Rico)
  • Un Poco Loco: Luis Ángel Gómez Jaramillo - Coco movie soundtrack (México)
  • Madre Tierra: Chayanne (Puerto Rico)
  • Contracorriente: David Bisbal, Álvaro Soler (Spain)
  • Color Esperanza: Diego Torres (Colombia) and various Latin artists 
  • Vivo la Vida: Olga Tañón (Puerto Rico)
  • Corazón en la Maleta: Luis Fonsi (Puerto Rico)
  • Feliz: Fanny Lu (Colombia)
  • Juntos: Juanes (Colombia)
  • Ojalá que llueva café: Juan Luis Guerra (República Dominicana)
  • Mi Tierra: Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony (Cuba, Puerto Rico)
  • La vida es un carnaval: Celia Cruz (Cuba)
  • Puebla: Álvaro Soler (Spain)
  • La Gozadera: Gente de Zona, Marc Anthony (Cuba, Puerto Rico)
  • Colombia, Mi Encanto: Carlos Vives (Colombia)
  • Mejor que ayer: Diego Torres (Colombia)
  • Qué Bonito: Soraya (Colombia)
  • Cuenta Conmigo: Río Roma (México)
  • Gotas de Cristal: Manny Cruz (Dominican Republic)
  • La vida es una: Karol G (Colombia)
We were excited to continue this tournament tradition, bringing together music, language, and culture in a way that captivated the students and enhanced their learning experience. It was a fantastic journey, and the students thoroughly enjoyed it!
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