A Family Experience

Learning about maracas and the cultures they have influenced can be a shared learning experience for parents and their children. Students are encouraged daily to talk with their families about what they are learning. Parents are also encouraged to ask questions each and every day, as well as explore the internet together in hopes to strengthen knowledge and understanding. Go to www.activitytv.com and you can make maracas, learn to play them, and even dance the Cha Cha Cha, a dance and music style known for using maracas.

Read Together to Learn More:

Under the Mambo MoonBy, Julia Durango A Kids Guide to Latino HistoryBy, Valerie Petrillo Shake it, Morena!By, Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

Integrated Unit on Maracas

Dance Together!

CD by Putumayo World Music

From the Classroom of:

Anne Hoback & Kristin McClure

Shake, Rattle, & Roll

Maracas are a musical instrument in the percussion family. A pair of maracas do not sound the same because the number of pebbles inside are unequal to give each one a distinct sound.

Maracas and Music

Maracas have had a great influence on music throughout history. They are heard in early music genres such as Bomba, Plena, and Mambo, as well as more current music genres including Jazz, Rock n Roll, and even country music. However, maracas are very popular in the music from late Salsa singer Celia Cruz. Celia was born in Cuba and became the first female Salsa mega-star. She was the most influential woman of not just Salsa, but of Afro-Cuban music in general.

Learning Together
Visit the following websites to learn more about maracas and the various cultures they are a part of:
www.musicof puertorico.com www.madehow.com/volume-7/maracas.html www.topuertorico.org www.venezuelanmusic.blogspot.com www.carnaval.com/venezuela/music/

The first maracas were made by the Taino Indians in Puerto Rico. They were made from fruit gourds of higuera trees and were used in religious ceremonies for spiritual communication, to cure illnesses, for protection from storms, and for celebrations.

www.worldcongress2012.iclei.org www.spain-info.com

For Our Spanish Speaking Families

http://prboriken.com/culture.htm www.lamusicasalsa.com/links.htm www.worldcongress2012.iclei.org www.donquijote.org/culture/spain www.salsorro.com