Teaching culture in the elementary classroom is a powerful way to engage students, foster appreciation, and build connections. This school year with my second graders we have been working with the biography of Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa! Her story is perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, or any time during the school year. Here are some tips to make learning about Celia Cruz both fun and meaningful for young students.
1. Simplify the Biography with High-Frequency Words
When introducing Celia Cruz’s life story, keep it simple by using high-frequency words that students can easily understand. Words like canta (sings), tiene (has), le gusta (likes), quiere (wants), and va (goes) are great for helping students to understand her life. To make it comprehensible, add these words a gesture and play different games to introduce vocabulary like Charades or Follow the leader.
Once your students are familiar with the vocabulary words, you can introduce the biography and read it to them. by using circling and PQA. Remember to keep it simple, comprehensible and use the gestures while you read!
2. Use Visuals for Comprehension
Visuals play a huge role in language acquisition. Support your storytelling with images of Celia Cruz at different stages of her life. Show pictures of her singing, performing, and wearing her iconic colorful outfits. You can also use simple drawings, flashcards, or even create a slideshow with key words and images to reinforce learning.
3. Show Real Pictures of Celia Cruz
It’s important for students to see real images of Celia to make connections and discuss how she influenced Latin music. You can talk about her unique style, her powerful voice, and the impact she had on Latin American culture. Watching short video clips of her performances can also be a great way for students to experience her energy.
4. Introduce Salsa Music and Its Cultural Significance
Salsa is more than just music. It’s a cultural movement that connects people across Latin America and beyond. Play some of Celia Cruz’s songs and encourage students to listen for the rhythms and instruments. One of my favorite songs is La Vida es un Carnaval. Discuss how Salsa music brings people together through dance and joy. You can even have a mini dance session where students try basic Salsa steps to feel the rhythm themselves! My students and I are really enjoying this tutorial:
5. Talk About the Word “Azúcar”
One of Celia’s most famous phrases is Azúcar! (Sugar!). This word became her signature exclamation and represents the energy and sweetness she brought to her music. Ask students what “sugar” makes them think of (perhaps sweets, celebrations, or happiness) and discuss how Celia used it to express joy and passion in her performances. I love to use this video with my students:
6. Create Reading Comprehension Activities for Different Levels
To ensure all students can engage with the story, design activities for different proficiency levels:
- Beginner: Play a Bingo game with sentences from the story
- Intermediate: Answer true or false questions in Spanish about the reading.
- Advanced: Use the biography in the past tense and have students put the story in order.
7. Coloring Page:
Wrapping up the lesson with a coloring page featuring vocabulary words characteristic of Celia Cruz is an effective way to reinforce learning in a meaningful way. Words like azúcar, Reina de la Salsa, Afrolatina, Cuba become more memorable when students see them visually and associate them with Celia Cruz’s legacy.
8. Conclude with a Collaborative Mural Project:
To wrap up the unit, invite students to create a collaborative mural celebrating Celia Cruz and salsa music. Each student can contribute a small coloring page. This final project not only reinforces their learning but also creates a beautiful display of their understanding and appreciation of Hispanic culture.
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