«La Chata Merengüela»: The Fancy-Hands Circle

In a circle we sing the traditional Spanish song «La chata merengüela» with its moves: rolling hands on «güi, güi, güi,» a fancy tiptoe walk on «trico, trico, tri,» and a spin at the end. It works on coordinating arms and legs to a song.

How to play

1. Holding hands in a circle, the teacher sings and we walk around (2 min).
2. On «güi, güi, güi» let go and roll your forearms in front of your chest (2 min).
3. On «she's so fancy, trico, trico, tri» walk on tiptoe, very tall, nose up and fancy hands (2 min).
4. At the end of the verse, spin all the way around and hold hands again (2 min).
5. Small circles of five: one child invents a new move for «güi, güi, güi» and the others copy it (2 min).

Rules

• Do each move at its spot in the song.
• Tiptoe, no running.
• Spin slowly so I don't get dizzy.
• Copy the inventor's move.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do the hand roll and fancy arms from the chair; spin the chair with help or just turn the head.
• Visual impairment: always hold classmates' hands; the teacher guides the hand roll the first time.
• More coordination: roll one hand forward and the other backward.

Learning goals

• Coordinate arms and legs to a song.
• Walk on tiptoe with control.
• Join a traditional circle game.

Teacher tip

This is a playground classic in Spain; if you don't know it, the «güi, güi, güi» chorus and the «trico, trico, tri» are enough. Keep spins to one per verse at most.

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