Curated OER
Huichol Indian Yarn Painting
Create to understand the cultural significance and beauty of Huichol Yarn Painting. Elementary learners use glue and bright yarn to create images similar to those made by the native Mexican Huichol Tribe. Note: Images of this art form...
Smithsonian Institution
Mexican War
Did you know that without the Mexican War, the United States would not include the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and even parts of Colorado? Scholars learn a variety of interesting facts about the...
Smithsonian Institution
Borders with the World: Mexican-American War and U.S. Southern Borderlands
The Mexican-American War created social borders—not just physical ones. Scholars learn about the effects of the Mexican-American War on the people living in the borderlands using text excerpts, maps, and partnered activities. Academics...
Curated OER
Mexico and Mexican Culture
Students form cooperative learning groups and research the history of Mexico and Mexican culture in this technology-based webquest. The student groups present their findings at the end of the lesson.
Curated OER
What is el Dia de los Muertos?
Students explore the Mexican celebration el Dia de los Muertos. In this Mexican celebration lesson, students discuss ways people in the US honor the dead. Students compare and contrast Mexican holidays and American holidays. Students...
Curated OER
Piñatas
Students discover the original uses and ceremonial meanings of the piñata and how it changed. In this piñatas lesson, students create their own piñatas. Students explain in Spanish the reasons for their designs.
Stanford University
Mexican American Rights
What's the best way to date a primary source? A thought-provoking assessment uses written responses to test learners' knowledge of primary source analysis. High school scholars compare text excerpts to determine which documents were...
Curated OER
Mexican Charades
Students explore communication by participating in a game of charades. In this visual storytelling lesson, students utilize their acting abilities and physical prowess to communicate Mexican imagery to their classmates without the use of...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration
Oral storytelling has been an important part of every culture. The time-honored practice uses stories as a conduit for a culture's values and customs from one generation to the next. Keep the tradition going with a family interview...
Curated OER
Mexico
Students complete a unit about the geography and culture of Mexico. They compare and contrast the weather of their own city and Mexico, read books about Mexico, count in Spanish, color in a flag of Mexico and the Mexican Coat of Arms,...
Curated OER
Immigration: Creating Change
Students explore how immigration has changed the culture of America. After identifying the foods and diets of Europeans and Native cultures, students create a map indicating where foods came from. Students design a restaurant menu,...
Curated OER
Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
Maryland Department of Education
The Concept of Diversity in World Literature Lesson 1: Unit Introduction
To launch a unit study of the concept of diversity in World Literature, class members compare Chinua Achebe's essay, "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness" and Richard Rodriguez's essay, "The Chinese in All of Us: A...
Curated OER
Holy Mole
Students discover Mexican culture by reading and cooking. In this Central American History lesson plan, students read the book Holy Mole, and analyze the story by answering questions about plot, characters and even sound effects they...
Curated OER
Oaxacan Animal Art
Kids of any age can experience the beauty, color, and patterns of Oaxacan art. They view, discuss, and then make their own versions of Oaxacan animal sculptures using sulphite paper. This would be a good follow-up activity to accompany a...
Curated OER
A Visit to Mexico City: An Introduction to World Communities
Third graders complete a variety of activities as they take an imaginary trip to Mexico City, complete with passports, maps, and Spanish dictionaries. They write postcards to send home and create items to sell at the market. The unit...
Curated OER
The Poinsettia: Native Mexican Plant vs. U.S. Christmas
Students compare and contrast native Mexican poinsettia plants to those marketed in the United States. They watch a PowerPoint presentation, and listen to a version of the legend of the poinsettia. Students then create a paper pinwheel...
Curated OER
Lesson: Tlatelolco: Mexican Student Massacre 1968
The Massacre of Tlatelolco is the focus of a discussion-based lesson plan. Civil-minded learners consider the nature of student movements that have ended in violence based on over-reaction and government oppression. They discuss the...
Curated OER
Mexican Folk Art: Sugar Skulls
Scholars use their knowledge of color to create vibrant skulls for Día de los Muertos. A thoughtful discussion brings forth information about the special holiday. A review of cool colors and warm colors prepares learners for the creation...
Curated OER
Understanding Cultural Diversity
First graders examine different types of art to help them explain the idea of cultural diversity. This is a unit focusing on works of art.
Curated OER
Form and Theme in the Traditional Mexican Corrido
Students examine the traditional Mexican musical form of corridos. In this cross curricular history and music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of popular corridos and the corridos' importance in Mexican culture. Students will compose...
Curated OER
Lesson: Snake Handling
Are the studies of art and archeology connected? You bet they are! Young scholars research the ancient temples of Mexico by visiting an archaeology site. They describe the various temples they see, taking note of shapes, stairs, details,...
Curated OER
International Folklore
Folklore is composed of stories that convey cultural heritage and traditions. Many types of tales are listed as well as what they portray in various contexts and situations. Give your learners a brief description or definition of...
Curated OER
Contemporary Mexican and Puerto Rican Immigration
Students in an ESL classroom compare and contrast Puetro Rican and Mexican cultures. In groups, they research the reasons why people leave one country for another and how to obtain a visa. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the...