Week 6: Diverse Texts and Multicultural Resources by Juan Menendez

Tito Puente, Mambo King/ Rey del Mambo

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 22:38:50 UTC

I will introduce the Salsa music genre in this bilingual (English/Spanish) book biography of musician Tito Puente. It is a book that my Hispanic students can relate to Mr. Puente's humble beginning and how he later became a Mambo music star.

Bello the Cello: English/Spanish Edition

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:19:05 UTC

This is an excellent book introducing the cello, the instrument I will teach during my lessons for the Integrated Content-Area Mini Unit.

Taylor Swift Biography for Kids: Inspirational Stories of the Global Music Icon

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:26:32 UTC

This is a book that kids can relate to because it is about a present well-known artist, Taylor Swift, who defied her humble beginnings, strumming melodies on a guitar to grace dazzling stages across the globe. This beautifully illustrated biography is designed to inspire and motivate young boys and girls, showing them that dreams can come true with hard work and determination.

Famous Ukulele Musicians: A Biography for Kids

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:29:23 UTC

This excellent book introduces music, musicians, and the most famous instrument from Hawaii (the ukulele) and helps students understand and embrace the world of music, history, and their people.

Little People, BIG DREAMS

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:37:59 UTC

In this book, students will discover the inspiring life of Beyoncé, the chart-topping superstar. It is excellent to connect and inspire my African American population. Beyoncé was quiet as a child but always enjoyed singing and dancing. At a young age, she went to see a concert, and from that moment on, she felt inspired to perform. As well as being a performer, she is a mother, businesswoman, philanthropist, and role model for all those who want to reach for the stars.

Who is Florence Price?

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:42:05 UTC

This is a great book to introduce an African American classical music composer. It is the story of a brilliant musician who prevailed against race and gender prejudices to become the first Black woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer and performed by a major American orchestra in 1933.

AXOLOTL CARLOS WANTS TO BECOME A MARIACHI

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:45:59 UTC

This is a great book to read, inspire, and connect with my Spanish immersion class. Carlos lives with his friends on a lake in Mexico. Every day, Carlos watches the Mariachis play their music. His biggest dream is to become a Mariachi, too.

It shall teach my students the values of friendship, kindness, passion, and the value of fulfilling your dreams.

Building an Orchestra of Hope: How Favio Chavez Taught Children to Make Music from Trash (Stories from Latin America

menendezj1 — 2024-04-12 23:48:17 UTC

This book is an inspirational story of commitment, resilience, and the power of music. In Cateura, Paraguay, a town built on a landfill, music teacher Favio Chavez longed to help the families living and working amid the hills of trash. Based on an incredible true story, Building an Orchestra of Hope offers an unforgettable picture of human dignity reclaimed from unexpected sources.

Yo-Yo & Yeou-Cheng Ma, Finding Their Way

menendezj1 — 2024-04-13 15:21:03 UTC

This is a great book to share with my Chinese immersion class. The cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his sister Yeou-Cheng were trained by their father, who wanted them to become famous musicians. But only one child went on to fulfill their father's dreams. The other went on to find her way in medicine.

Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma

menendezj1 — 2024-04-13 15:23:11 UTC

This is a great way to discuss the importance of sharing your talent with other cultures around the world. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music reflected his life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations.

Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent “Bach Project” tour to prove a point—through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.