I introduce my classes to the cultural concept of the cakewalk with the big
When my classes do the cakewalk, I play joyful, lively, so-soothing-to-the-ear recorded marimba music (See my favorite album below). First, I borrow a marimba from the music teacher, play it and let the children takes turns playing it, and talk about its importance in the music of Central America and Mexico. It's downright impossible to play any "bad" combination of notes on a pentatonic 6-note marimba. (If your school music teacher doesn't have one, it may be possible to get a loan from another district school or your middle school or high school.)
I stick large laminated oaktag number squares in a huge circle down on the gym floor with special 2" wide removable (but sturdy) vinyl gym floor tape that comes in many bright colors. Allow room between each number. Any other tape will be difficult to remove or leave residue on the floor which will make your custodian and gym teacher very unhappy.
Another teacher I know has drawn the number wheel on a king-size sheet and just placed it down on grass. I have held the cake walk outside with the laminated numbers, too, but this can be difficult on a windy day as there is no way to "stick" the numbers done on grass; but using the blacktop is a viable option. One year there was a district wide field day and the cake walk was the "Spanish" event. It was considered a "shade" event so it was done under a large canopy so we all wouldn't "fry."
The amount of numbered squares you will need will depend on how many pairs or triplets of children hand-in-hand will be dancing around the circle at one time. I like to add about one third more extra sheets so it's not so easy to win every time the music stops. I work out a schedule that allows one class to be dancing while another is watching them. The audience participates by clapping and dancing to the music.
I decorate the outside of a large empty bulk food can leftover from the cafeteria and put the laminated index card numbers in that correspond to the numbers in the circle. I make sure that the numbers match the number goals in the curriculum. (Before the cakewalk takes place, I do an extensive review during regular class time.)
I send home notices asking for donations of individually wrapped unfrosted cupcakes or muffins (more nutritious!) for prizes. I have to admit that I do receive boxes of "Ring Dings," too. I also have non-edible prizes as well for any allergic children or children on special diets. (I check with the school nurse first to find out who these individuals are.) In later years because of many food allergies in the children in my school and the increased emphasis on good nutrition examples within a school setting, I changed to using heavy paper pictures of cupcakes instead which the children turned in for small prizes at a prize table:
When the recorded marimba music stops, the MC chooses a number and reads it out in Spanish two or three times. There is usually quite a pause because the children have to process the number that they have heard in Spanish and then find out what pair/triplet is standing on the right square. I also award prizes for best smiles and best dancers (male and female) in each class.
I used this huge "Bienvenidos" banner and lots of crepe paper streamers to call attention to our activity and to add color:
The best experience one year was having a volunteer parent/teacher who was a native speaker act as MC. He had a very outgoing personality and did lots of patter in Spanish with a mike. He gave a signal to stop the music. Then someone else (another parent, teacher, or child) drew out the number and handed it to him to announce with great fanfare. The children, as well as their teachers and aides, participated, and everyone had a great time. There is much excitement! Everyone will need access to lots of water after,
especially on hot days.
The cake walk "unit" is a great way to integrate the Spanish language and culture with physical education, music, social studies, and mathematics. It's lots of fun and quite a workout for everyone.
