«El Cocherito Leré»: The Hopping Carriage

We're carriages trotting around the yard, and on every «leré» in the traditional Spanish song «El cocherito leré» («the little coachman») we jump with feet together. First alone, then in carriages of three holding shoulders. It works on jumping to the beat and moving in sync with others.

How to play

1. Everyone is a carriage: trot gently around the yard and jump with feet together on every «leré» (1 min).
2. Make carriages of three: the first is the coachman, the others hold their shoulders; trot and jump together on «leré» (2 min).
3. Each verse, the coachman moves to the back and the next one drives (1 min).
4. Join all the carriages into one super-long train behind the teacher and jump all together (1 min).
5. Arrive at the station: stop, let go and take a deep breath (1 min).

Rules

• Jump only on «leré».
• Hold shoulders gently in the carriage.
• If the one in front stops, I stop.
• Land with soft knees.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a wheelchair carriage can be the coachman and raises arms on «leré».
• Visual impairment: always ride in the middle of a three-person carriage, not as coachman at first.
• Less coordination: jump in place instead of while moving.

Learning goals

• Jump with both feet on the song's cue.
• Coordinate movement with two classmates.
• Warm up the legs and get energized.

Teacher tip

Hum just the chorus first so they can spot the «leré.» In carriages, the classic problem is the back kid pushing: we trot, we don't run.

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