Inside: Baile viernes or dance in Spanish class. Get your Spanish class moving any day of the week with Spanish class brain breaks. Using dance to start class on Friday in Spanish class with ready to go slideshows and playlist with Spanish class dance songs.
Baile viernes was the 4th ever post on Mis Clases Locas, published on May 23, 2014 by Allison Wienhold. The original post has been updated over the years with new resources, ideas and expansion. Make sure to use #baileviernes if you post your classes doing this activity on social media & tag @mis.claseslocas.
What is baile viernes?
A favorite class routine for years has been baile viernes (dance Friday). Every day we start class with aPara Empezar bell ringer. Which is one of the only things I was glad I started right away my first year teaching. I created a Slideshow in advance with a task for students to complete including any of the following: reading and answering questions about a Spanish meme, video, teaser to a new topic, or review from the previous day’s lesson. Slowly I started implementing a certain activity for each day’s bell ringer. Update: You can now get my ready to go Google Slidesnewest Para Empezar for a year here.
Why dance in Spanish class?
My first year teaching my students’ favorite day of the week becamemúsica miércoles(music Wednesday), where they would watch the video of a current or classic song in Spanish. Check outthis blog post for playlists, slideshows, and more if you want to learn more.
I had a lot of very active classes who started wanting to dance to the songs, so I started playing videos with choreography instead of just music videos. Once it became a weekly event (the students named) baile viernes, it was the new favorite part of the week for many. (Yes, I know the name is not correct, but the students created it, I shared it in this blog post, and the name kind of took off, so it stuck. You can change the name if you would prefer).
Over the years I have learned and shared the importance ofbrain breaks andmovement in Spanish class.
What started with playing a music video during passing time, turned into using the videos in the middle of class to break up block schedule. Or with some classes, it would be a reward at the end of class, like a fun Friday, or homeroom dance time. I have found that my class was the only time some students got to get out of their seats all day, which is sad.
How do you do baile viernes?
Just play a Youtube dance video. That’s it!
I have found it works well to start the video right away in passing time. We dance right at the start of class on Friday and do a mix of Zumba, Just Dance, or other choreography videos we find on Youtube. (*Note I am not a certified Zumba instructor, but do enjoy taking classes and dancing in general).
How do you get students into baile viernes?
How do you get high schoolers to dance in class you ask? First and foremost as the teacher I am the example. I make a fool of myself learning the dances with them. Sometimes we tried a song and partway through the students decide they are over it. this is usually because it is too hard. So we quickly revert to one of their standby favorites, which varies by class.
I have had classes, or times in my career with groups who were never as into dancing, which is fine. But most classes come in excited and shouting baile viernes! Finally, I found it is a great way to get those Friday wiggles out at the beginning of class. This is especially important on game days and before long weekends.
baile viernes resources
- My Baile viernes playlist with tons of videos.
- All of my baile viernes resources
- If you want tons of options – Baile viernes bundle
- The newest videos –Baile viernes 2021
- A mix of real people & Just Dance –Baile viernes for a year.
- Mostly Just Dance –Baile viernes 2017.
- Mostly real people videos – Baile viernes 2.
- Real people videosBaile viernes.
- Baile viernes for middle school.
What if I teach French?
More Dance Resources & Blog Post
- Halloween Dances (Most in English)
- Winter Holiday Dances (Most in English)
- 5 Ways to Use Dance in any Classroom
Try it out and let me know how it goes!
– Allison
More ways to Mix it up with Music
Music Brackets
- **Try Hispanic Heritage Music Madness Fall Music Bracket usingHispanic Heritage Month #6 2021 or the growing Hispanic Heritage Month Song Bundle
- Or try aSpring March Music Bracket using thenew 2021 Music Bracket (for HS)or for Middle/Elementary SchoolMusic bracket for YOUNGER Spanish class 2021 or the growingMusic Brackets for Spanish Class – March Growing Bundle
I have been thinking of a way to do something on Fridays to shake things up a bit! Might have to try this. Did the students resist at first? Would you do it the first week or wait a while? Thanks!
Start week 1! If it is a routine and expectation it is best to begin right away. There will always be a couple who are not into it(usually those who do not want to look silly). The most important thing is to really get into it yourself and get a couple if the influential kids into it as well. Have fun & share pictures!
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I'm about to start my classes next week and I'm new to the profession. So I'd like to know if you would recommend this for middle schoolers, and would you time it just so it doesn't get out of control?
Baile viernes would be GREAT for middle schoolers! They have so much extra energy that starting class with some movement would be great to get their wiggles out. We typically just do one song per week to start class, so only 3-5 minutes. I usually tell them if there is time left at the end of class they can pick another of their favorites to dance to. For some classes, this means they are super focused and get through everything fast so they have time to dance at the end. It is a win-win for everyone! Have a wonderful first year and let me know if you need anything! – Allison
I tried it with my middle schoolers on Friday and they loved it! Some classes were more into it than others but overall it was a hit! I just do it with them and show them making a fool of yourself is fun and humbling.
I am glad it went well! I would love pictures too!
Hi! Where do you find "El Internado" to show your classes?
Thanks!
Teresa,
I bought the whole series on eBay and play it through my computer. It is currently on Netflix as well!
Allison
I am going to try this with my level two students but I am concerned not everyone will participate. Did you hold students accountable at all-participation points, extra credit, etc.? Such a cool idea!
I never require all students to participate. I highly encourage everyone, but there will always be some who feel uncomfortable and I would not want to turn them off by forcing. I do not give any points ever anymore for participation or extra credit. It is all about just building a classro culture where as a team everyone wants to have fun. Let me know how it goes!
Is there a particular one you would recommend beginning with? I start after labor day but I think baile viernes will really bring more excitement to the classroom. I am the only foreign language teacher in the building and I am still rebuilding the reputation of the department. Thank you for all your awesome ideas!
Hello! I am glad you are interested in starting! The "just dance" videos are usually the easiest for the students to follow, since they have done video games like that in the past. From the playlist above some past favorites have been "the ketchup song" or "limbo" (sweat mode).
Let me know how it goes!
Allison
This is our 2nd Friday of the school year and our 2nd "Baile viernes." It's received mixed reviews. Because there are a significant amount who like it, it will remain part of our weekly ritual. However, I would like to come up with a quick activity for those that choose to sit it out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
What are your thoughts on doing this with 3rd and 4th grade students??
I think dancing with3rd & 4th graders would be awesome! I would suggest finding some age appropriate videos & giving it a try!
I started this today in my classes. My 8th graders are ready to be done with school and I expected not to have great buy in, but it was worth a shot. I started by saying, "You have the rest of your lives to be too cool for this kind of silliness, but for one more month let yourselves be kids and have fun with it." They ALL did it. We all laughed, sweated and had a blast. What a fun resource!
thank you!
Does this lesson come with lyrics? I am interested. Do you do this activity once per week only?
These only come with embedded videos in slide with title. I have multiple resources for baile viernes. The smaller ones have 15 weeks worth, and the bundle has more than enough for a year!
Hi! I've just tried a few time and some of them the kids get too crazy and out of control. Do you ever have too rowdy students that you have to stop the activity? Do you have any specific procedures/ expectations set ahead for them? I would really like to incorporate this into our classroom routines but it seems I am not doing it any good. Thanks!!
How do you combine this with Para Empezar? Do you do it after the bellringer or before? I feel like I really need the bellringer time to take attendance, etc but I couldn't do that while dancing.
This is what I do as my class starter on Friday, but you can do whatever works for you!