One of the things that I love about movie talks and using pop music in class is that I am able to create week long units that are very versatile.  What I select as structures for one class, I can adapt for another level.  Each time I find a great, new song with a video that is movie talkable, I use it across the curriculum to get more bang for my buck!

I think that music and movie talk are a low-risk activity that teachers, traditional or otherwise, are able to embrace.  A bridge that departments can use to build harmony between teachers with different pedagogies and a bridge between students and the language.  They LOVE music. No one ever told me that they went home and did extra conjugations over the weekend but many (even tough nuts to crack) go home and download songs to listen to on their own time.  In fact, they told me this week that I should DJ post prom.  I told them that I figure the rest of the student body might not appreciate that as much.

Here are some of my favorite units.  If you have a text you’re required to follow, find the right one and slip it in in place of one week’s worth of whatever you might be doing in the textbook! No one will ever notice.  If you love it, then add another and another. If you don’t have a textbook to follow but you are prescribed a different curriculum, do the same!  Just squeeze it in! Or encourage your department to try one of their own.  If you’re on your own, add lots! 🙂

Educarse para superarse – This includes a movie talk, song of the week (Morat – Aprender a quererte), follow up activities, and cultural lesson about school in the world.

Sirena – This includes a movie talk, song of the week (Sirena – Cali y el Dandee), follow up activities, and cultural lessons about sign and other languages.

Paraíso – This includes a class story related to the video, a song of the week, and follow up activities.

I love the mermaid story in this packet from Kristy Placido Darte un beso. Her Cuando me enamoró and Con quién se queda el perro are great too!

And Nelly Hughes at Comprendes Mendez has great packets on La estrategia (SO GOOD), Quédate conmigo, and Jueves.

Martina Bex has Simples corazones, Robarte un beso, and Gozadera in her shop!

Kara Jacobs and I went to Ecuador last summer and conveniently, Nicky Jam came out with Si tu la ves shortly after.  We shared our free packet (with help from Arianne Dowd) to share the culture of Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Kara Jacobs has great choices like La cintura, Internacionales, Cásate conmigo, and Soy yo.

Arianne Dowd also has wonderful song/video talk units like Cuánto me duele and Andas en mi cabeza.

With the big TPT teacher appreciation sale Tuesday and Wednesday (25% off with the code THANKYOU18), it is a great time to stock up for next school year (or to survive the last few weeks of this year!)