As students explore jíbaro identity, listen to musical sounds, and watch concursos (competitions), they will gain a deeper understanding of música jíbara—one of Puerto Rico's most prominent music genres. Path 1 examines what term "jíbaro" has meant in Puerto Rico from a historical perspective and introduces the distinct sounds of música jíbara (Puerto Rican folk music). In Path 2, students will discover the most important musical characteristics of seis music. In Path 3, students will find out how seis musicians use a poetic form called décima to out-do each other in staged competitions called concursos. After learning about the structure of décimas, they will have a chance to write their own!

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. What is Música Jíbara?

   • Describe broadly what música jíbara is, and the various cultural influences from which it developed.
   • Identify meanings of the world “jíbaro.”
   • Discuss how migration affects music.
   • 20+ minutes

2. Seis Jíbaro

   • Explain how seis music relates to música jíbara.
   • Identify important musical characteristics of seis music.
   • Identify instruments that belong to the seis ensemble.
   • 20+ minutes

3. Concurso! Décima Festivals

   • Define concurso and explain its social function.
   • Identify the criteria for a successful concurso performance.
   • Write a décima, utilizing the typical features of its structure.
   • 30+ minutes