This is a great song that I found on Señor Jordan's blog. It is excellent practice for the structures "tengo" and "vale más que". Below are some basic lesson plans; you can purchase a much more complete lesson plan bundle that includes readings, slideshows, and additional activities and assessments here.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaShyjYClD8]
Here is the lyrics and activities sheet that I created:
Click on the image to view expanded lesson plans that include readings, slideshows, assessments, and additional activitiesLesson Plan:
Day One (15-20 minutes)
- Introduce the terms "tengo" and "vale más que". "Tengo" was review for all my the classes, but "vale más que" was a new expression for them. I did not do a full-on vocabulary introduction at this point, but instead chose to wait until tomorrow.
- Have the students keep a tally of the number of times that they hear 'tengo' and 'vale más que' as they listen to the song for the first time. I think that there are 33 "tengos" and 7 "vale más ques", but I keep losing count of the tengos with the chorus repetitions! Let me know if you think that 33 is right or wrong.
- Play the song again and have them check their numbers to see if they get the same count.
- Explain the rules for "Trading Up" and give everyone a paperclip.
Day Two (Full class period)
- For the Campanada, start with these questions: (1) ¿Un carro Mercedez vale más que un carro Dodge? (2) ¿Qué tienes en tu casa? (Students write responses in complete sentences, then we review them.)
- Debrief "Trading Up"
- Distribute lyrics sheets. Listen to the song again, and have students tap the table with a finger each time they hear/read "tengo", and raise their left hand each time they hear/read "vale más que".
- Have students complete the reading comprehension questions on the back of the song lyrics sheet.
- Collect the papers (if you are using it as an assessment) or don't if you're not.
- PQA: Start with an example that Sie7e writes in the song, like "El tiempo vale más que un Rolex" (Time is worth more than a Rolex). He is talking about intangible things being worth more than tangible things in many of his examples. Ask questions like «¿El dinero vale más que el amor?» (Is money worth more than time?). Here are some things to compare: friends, family, money, time, pride, intelligence, wisdom, character, respect, faith.
Day Three (5 minutes)
Listening assessment: Write a short first-person narrative about what someone has/doesn't have and what they value, and have students listen and take notes.
