This is a lovely Spanish lullaby. Long ago, shoes were handmade by craftsmen, and wearing shoes was often a sign of wealth. "A la Puerto del Cielo" assures children that even if they are not wealthy enough to own shoes, angels will be at the gates of heaven to present them with new ones.
A la puerto del cielo translates to at the gates of heaven.
Add actions to help learn the song.
A la puerta del cielo venden zapatos (At the gate of heav'n little shoes they are selling): reach hands overhead, palms up, as if reaching for heaven; bring hands down and together in front of body, as if holding out a pair of shoes in hands.
Para_los angelitos que andan descalzos (For the little barefooted angels there dwelling): elbows bent, hands out to sides, flap hands as if tiny angel wings.
Duermete, nino, duermete, nino, Duermete, nino, arru, arru. (Slumber my baby, Slumber my baby, Slumber my baby, arru, arru.): cross arms in front as if holding a baby, and rock arms back and forth to the steady beat of the music.
After students know the song well, focus on Duermete, nino, duermete, nino (Slumber my baby, Slumber my baby). Sing several times.
Draw eight beat marks on the board. Have students sing and tap the rhythm as teacher points to one beat and then the next.
ASK: On which beats did you hear two sounds, and on which beats did you hear one sound? (When you hear one sound on a beat it is called ta. When you hear two sounds on a beat, it is called ti-ti.)
Guide students to sing as often as necessary to determine the rhythm. (ta ti-ti / ti-ti ta / ta ti-ti / ti-ti ta)
Choose a volunteer to draw the rhythms on the board. Read the rhythm together.
Next, focus on: A la puerta del cielo venden zapatos (At the gate of heav'n little shoes they are selling) using the same procedure as above.
Guide students to sing as often as necessary to determine the rhythm. (ti-ti ti-ti /ta ti-ti / ta ti-ti / ta ta)
Next, focus on: Para_los angelitos que andan descalzos (For the little barefooted angels there dwelling) using the same procedure as above.
ASK: What part of the song has the exact same rhythm and melody? A la puerta del cielo venden zapatos (At the gate of heav'n little shoes they are selling).
Finally, focus on: Duermete, nino, arru, arru (Slumber my baby, arru, arru).
ASK: On which beats do you hear a longer sound that extends over two beats? (last measure of song)
When you hear one sound that extends over two beats, it is called "ta-a." Draw a half note on the board.
Sing the entire song on rhythm syllables: ta, ti-ti and ta-a.
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