Alma Flor Ada

Do re mi ¡Si, si!
Do re mi ¡Si, si!

Teacher’s Resource Book: Música amiga: Pedagogía creadora a través de la canción

Book and CD Description

Every one of these volumes can be used with any age children for the appreciation of poetry and music, and the development of concepts and values.

There is much joy and humor in this book/CD combination. The ballad of El señor don Gato has enchanted many generations of children. Oficios is a poem/song filled with humor that will delight readers and listeners of any age. La lluvia one of Alma Flor’s favorites. Isabel’s three poems/songs in this title will elicit smiles and invite you to sing along.

Suni Paz musical creations draw from her extensive knowledge of Latin American and Spanish musical tradition making this CD and all CDs in the series a powerful introduction to the Hispanic musical heritage.

The twelve poems contained in the book and the twelve songs contained in the CD are:

• El señor don Gato – Folklore
• Los días de la semana – Folklore
• Oficios – Alma Flor Ada
• La lluvia – Alma Flor Ada
• El ratón y el gato – Folklore
• A dormir – Folklore
• Pizpirigaña – Folklore
• La pastora – Folklore
• El trencito – Folklore
• El lápiz de Guillermo – F. Isabel Campoy
• Ramón y su perro – F. Isabel Campoy
• La nube y la ballena – F. Isabel Campoy

Teacher’s Resource Book Description

Música amiga: Pedagogía creadora a través de la canción by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel campoy

This handbook, inspired in the Transformative Education process developed by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, explores the use of songs in the classroom and provides specific suggestions to be applied with Música amiga.

It is divided in two major parts. The first, Aprender cantando, explores the uses of songs in topics like:

• Las canciones y la cultura
• Las canciones para eliminar la ansiedad y facilitar el aprendizaje
• Las canciones y la cultura
• Las canciones como base para la expresión corporal o dramática
• Las canciones en la adquisición de las habilidades lingüísticas
• Las canciones en la integración entre la escuela y el hogar
• Las canciones y los valores transformadores

The second part offers specific suggestions for each of the 120 songs contained in the Música amiga program.

Author’s Note

The production of the Música amiga series has been one the highlights of my life as an author. Although these books may have a much humbler physical appearance than many other of my books, this program combines the creativity of three extraordinary artists and human beings: Isabel Campoy, Suni Paz and Ulises Wensell. Furthermore the product was originally published by my son Alfonso Zubizarreta and its production was one more expression of his support for my work.

Many of the poems/songs that appear in Música amiga were originally part of the Reading Program Hagamos caminos, and signify the first time that Suni Paz and I collaborated. I have mentioned in many occasions that having such an excellent musician create music for my poems has been one of my greatest satisfaction.

Isabel Campoy brought her sensitivity, humor, and creativity to Música amiga, creating a number of original poems for this program, which were also put to music by Suni. The value of family, the treasure of culture, the importance of maintaining our language, the appreciation for learning and reasoning, and the joy of celebrating life in all its forms are some of the topics in Isabel’s contributions to Música amiga.

The art in these books was originally created by Ulises Wensell for Hagamos caminos. Ulises is a most talented artist and has been a true inspiration for my writing. I truly wanted to write children’s books because I dreamt that Ulises could create for my text art of the quality of his illustrations for El emperador y los pájaros or El retorno de la primavera, which I continue to consider absolute masterpieces.

As life would have it, I was able to demand, in order to accept the request to create Hagamos caminos that Ulises would be the illustrator.

And he created, for that reading series, art appropriate for any quality literature book.

When developing Música amiga we were delighted to be able to draw from the Hagamos caminos art to illustrate this collection of poems/songs.

And an extraordinary combination of talents have given life and light to these books and CDs that can enrich all and every classroom with the gift of poetry, songs, and art.

Música amiga program description

There are ten books to this series, each with an accompanying CD.

Each book includes 12 carefully selected poems. All 120 poems are presented as songs in the CD collection. Some of the poems are from folklore, a number of them have been originally written by Alma Flor Ada and by F. Isabel Campoy. A few are from other renown poets.

The books have magnificent illustrations from internationally acclaimed illustrator Ulises Wensell.

All of these poems and songs can be enjoyed by children from Pre-K to 6th grade. As a matter of fact, many can be enjoyed even by older students.

The first five volumes are particularly suited for helping develop specific literacy skills and for the reinforcement of specific syllabic combinations as well as overall language development. The last five volumes support sustained language development, a deepened appreciation for literature and an ongoing love for independent reading.

The titles are:

• ¡Qué rica la ronda! – Música amiga 1
• Canta la letra – Música amiga 2
• Canción y alegría – Música amiga 3
• Corre al coro – Música amiga 4
• Con ton y son – Música amiga 5
• Caracolí – Música amiga 6
• Sigue la música – Música amiga 7
• Do, re, mi, ¡sí, sí! – Música amiga 8
• El camino de tu risa – Música amiga 9
• El son del sol – Música amiga 10

Themes, Values and Vocabulary

The information on this page includes not only the list of poems in the books and songs in the CDs but also an indication of the Themes and Values presented in them.

Initial Reading in Spanish

For teachers or parents interested in teaching or strengthening initial reading skills with songs, there is also a chart to indicate the syllables that are reinforced through these poems and songs as well as a correlation with the initial reading series Hagamos caminos since many of these poems and songs are included in the Hagamos caminos books.

Música amiga Guide

The Música amiga Teacher’s Guide offers general suggestions for the use of music in the classroom for vocabulary, concepts and values development, and specific suggestions for the use of each song.

Aprender cantando, set of 2 cassettes. These cassettes explore how songs can facilitate learning in a variety of ways. Recorded in Spanish by Alma Flor Ada with numerous examples of songs performed by Suni Paz.

Significance of the Use of Songs in the Classroom

The importance of songs in the classroom cannot be overly emphasized. Songs are a vehicle for both teachers and students to develop fluency in the language, improve pronunciation and intonation, build vocabulary, and develop their understanding of Hispanic culture. Learning the traditional folklore cherished by families and communities will strengthen Latino children’s sense of identity; for English-speakers learning Spanish, songs and folklore will deepen their appreciation of the Spanish language.

The content of the ten Música amiga volumes are:

¡Qué rica la ronda! – Música amiga 1
[While every one of these volumes can be used for general purposes with any age children for the joy of poetry and music, this volume is particularly suited for language and vocabulary development as well as family and identity values.]

Los elefantes – Folklore
Sapitos – Alma Flor Ada
El barco chiquitito – Folklore
En el puente de San Juan – Folkore
Uno de enero – Folklore
La cigarra guitarrista – Alma Flor Ada
La bella hortelana – Folklore
En alta mar – Folklore
El beso – F Isabel Campoy
Lluvia – F Isabel Campoy
Mi historia – F Isabel Campoy
Aquí vivimos – F Isabel Campoy

Canta la letra – Música amiga 2
[While everyone of these volumes can be used for general purposes with any age children for the appreciation of poetry and music, this volume is particularly suited for phonemic awareness and the practice of the five vowels as well as family values.]

Una mosca – Folklore
A, a, a, mi abuelita me dará – Alma Flor Ada
Yo te daré – Folklore
La i minúscula – Alma Flor Ada
La mar estaba serena – Folklore
Un… en un… – Alma Flor Ada
Las cinco vocales – Folklore
Color hermoso – F Isabel Campoy
Mi abuelo – F Isabel Campoy
¡Qué miedo! – F Isabel Campoy
Arre, arre – F Isabel Campoy

Canción y alegría – Música amiga 3
[This volume contains stories in verse by Alma Flor Ada. These stories w introduce charming characters like La gallina Picotina, El loro Ala de Oro and La ratita Roequeso as well as three charming poems by Isabel Campoy. The poems and songs are particularly suited to allow children with initial reading skills to read the lyrics independently.]

Perrito color de café – Alma Flor Ada
Fa, fe, fi – Alma Flor Ada
El gato del mago – Alma Flor Ada
La gallina Picotina – Alma Flor Ada
La ranita – Alma Flor Ada
La burrita – Alma Flor Ada
El loro Ala de Oro – Alma Flor Ada
La ratita Roequeso – Alma Flor Ada
Mi oso de papel – F. Isabel Campoy
Mi mapa – F. Isabel Campoy
Canta – F. Isabel Campoy

Corre al coro – Música amiga 4
[Every one of these volumes can be used with any age children for the appreciation of poetry and music, and the development of concepts and values. All the poems in this volume have been written by either Alma Flor Ada or Isabel Campoy. The CD offers a combination of diverse music, lyric songs like El hada Hadaluna, lively songs like Jarabe tapatío and Sube y baja and whimsical invitations to reflect like Mi backpack, La cama de mi maestro y Soñar palabras.]

El ciempiés y la cigarra – Alma Flor Ada
El ratón Botón – Alma Flor Ada
El hada Hadaluna – Alma Flor Ada
Los ocho chivitos – Alma Flor Ada
Josefina y sus amigos – Alma Flor Ada
Jarabe tapatío – Alma Flor Ada
Y va de cuento – Alma Flor Ada
Sube y baja – F. Isabel Campoy
Mi backpack – F. Isabel Campoy
Bolsillo de pantalón – F. Isabel Campoy
La cama de mi maestra – F. Isabel Campoy
Soñar palabras – F. Isabel Campoy

Con ton y son – Música amiga 5
[A combination of well known tradicional songs, like Las mañanitas and Tengo una muñeca and songs that emphasize the value of family.]

Las mañanitas – Folklore
Del… al… – Alma Flor Ada
Tato, Anita y Titino – Alma Flor Ada
Tengo una muñeca – Folklore
La paloma – Folklore
Tengo, tengo, tengo – Folklore
En una bella ciudad – Folklore
Origami – Alma Flor Ada
En el kiosko – Alma Flor Ada
¡Adelante! – F. Isabel Campoy
Mamá – F. Isabel Campoy
Mis manos – F. Isabel Campoy

Caracolí – Música amiga 6
[A combination of songs from folklore, including the beloved De colores, original poems/songs by Alma Flor Ada and magnificent poems/songs by Isabel Campoy that stress the importance of language continuation, Hablar como tú, as well as the values of family and culture, Tú eres muy rico]

De colores – Folklore
Primavera – Alma Flor Ada
Salta la tablita – Folklore
Cri-crí – Alma Flor Ada
Caballito blanco – Folklore
Pimpón – Folklore
Las marionetas – Folklore
Juanito – Folklore
Juega conmigo – F. Isabel Campoy
Hablar como tú – F. Isabel Campoy
Caracola – F. Isabel Campoy
Tú eres muy rico – F. Isabel Campoy

Sigue la música – Música amiga 7
[Well known songs from folklore like He perdido el do and Mambrú, accompany some original poems/songs. La Cucarachita Martina is an exceptional dramatization by Suni Paz of the well-known tale. Isabel Campoy’s poem/song Familia celebrates the richness of family.]

He perdido el do – Folklore
Antón Pirulero – Folklore
La Cucarachita Martina – Alma Flor Ada
Las jirafas gemelas – Alma Flor Ada
Flores y caracoles – Alma Flor Ada
Clotilde – Alma Flor Ada
Mambrú – Folklore
Dragones y cocodrilos – Alma Flor Ada
El reloj de mi bisabuelo – Folklore
La vilanela – Folklore
Familia – F. Isabel Campoy
La playa – F. Isabel Campoy

Do, re, mi, ¡sí, sí! – Música amiga 8
[There is much joy and humor in this book/CD combination. The ballad of El señor don Gato has enchanted many generations of children. Oficios is a poem/song filled with humor that will delight readers and listeners of any age. La lluvia one of Alma Flor’s favorites. Isabel’s three poems/songs in this title will elicit smiles and invite you to sing along.]

El señor don Gato – Folklore
Los días de la semana – Folklore
Oficios – Alma Flor Ada
La lluvia – Alma Flor Ada
El ratón y el gato – Folklore
A dormir – Folklore
Pizpirigaña – Folklore
La pastora – Folklore
El trencito – Folklore
El lápiz de Guillermo – F. Isabel Campoy
Ramón y su perro – F. Isabel Campoy
La nube y la ballena – F. Isabel Campoy

El camino de tu risa – Música amiga 9
[This title includes the work of some very well respected poets, José Martí, Mirta Aguirre and Jaime Ferrán. It also includes two of Alma Flor’s best known poems/songs, Mi amiga, la sombra and the inspiring Hagamos caminos. Isabel contributes four poems/songs, one dedicated to mothers, Día de las madres, another to fathers, Un beso de papá.]

La rosa blanca – José Marí
Lo que vamos a ser – Alma Flor Ada
Los loros – Jaime Ferrán
Aventura – Mirta Aguirre
Ronda de farolas – Folklore
Los pollitos Fernán – Silva Valdés
Mi amiga, la sombra – Alma Flor Ada
Hagamos caminos – Alma Flor Ada
Día de las madres – F. Isabel Campoy
Un beso de papá – F. Isabel Campoy
Estaba una sirena – F. Isabel Campoy
Alto, bien alto – F. Isabel Campoy

El son del sol – Música amiga 10
[This title completes the series with poems of some of the best poets in the Spanish language, masterfully turned into songs by Suni Paz. Her renditions of Fernando Luján’s Cigarras, of Mirta Aguirre’s Caballito, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Doraba la luna el río and Jaime Ferrán Las gacelas are evocative and hauntingly beautiful. For Un son para niños antillanos by Nicolás Guillén and Canción de todos los niños del mundo she has created lively music that invites you to sing along. Four excellent poems/songs by Isabel Campoy make this a necessary title in every classroom. Isabel leads children in the reflection of what it is to think in ¡Qué cosa divertida es pensar!, she brings the awareness of how vast knowledge is in La maestra tampoco lo sabe, and she invites all to take responsibility in taking care of life, Cuida la vida. Finally, she offers the most poignant song about the importance of retaining our own language in No te olvides, no, a song that has become a true inspiration for bilingual educators.

Un son para niños antillanos – Nicolás Guillén
Cigarras – Fernando Luján
Doraba la luna el río – Juan Ramón Jiménez
Baile de la caña – David Chericián
Las gacelas – Jaime Ferrán
Caballito – Mirta Aguirre
Los zapaticos de rosa – José Martí
Canción de todos los niños del mundo – Alma Flor Ada
Cuida la vida – F. Isabel Campoy
No te olvides, no – F. Isabel Campoy
¡Qué cosa divertida es pensar! – F. Isabel Campoy
La maestra tampoco lo sabe – F. Isabel Campoy

Values	Book	CD	Song #
Autoestimación – Self Esteem
	Mis manos	V	12
	Mi amiga, la sombra	IX	7
	Oficios	VIII	3
Cultura – Culture
	Mi historia	I	11
	Jarabe tapatío	IV	6
	De colores	VI	1
Diversity – Diversidad
	Canción de todos los niños del mundo	X	8
	Aquí vivimos	I	12
Ecología – Ecology
	Cuida la vida	X	9
	Alto, bien alto	IX	12
	La lluvia	VIII	4
Estudio/Trabajo/Profesiones – Study/Work/Professions
	Hagamos caminos	IX	8
	La maestra tampoco lo sabe	X	12
	Lo que vamos a ser	IX	2
	¡Qué cosa divertida es pensar!	X	11
Familia – Family
	Día de las madres	IX	9
	El beso de papá	IX	10
	Familia	VII	11
	Mi abuelo	II	10
Generosidad / Solidaridad – Generosity / Solidarity
	La cigarra guitarrista	I	6
	Los zapaticos de rosa	X	7
	La rosa blanca	IX	1
Idioma – Language
	Hablar como tú	VI	10
	No te olvides, no	X	10

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