Explore the Mexican culture by teaching your students about its traditions, artwork, culture and geography. This spring, take some time to explore Mexico with your students, a country rich in culture and traditions. There is so much to learn and explore! As you journey through Mexico, here are a few fun ideas to create your own colorful artwork, make your own music with a DIY maraca project and finish it all off with a Cinco De Mayo celebration that celebrates the rich culture of Mexico.
Throughout the week as we study Mexico, I like to decorate the room to get the students excited about our cultural expedition. Just a few fun supplies can totally transform your classroom and help motivate your students and engage them in the lesson. I started with my reading corner. I added a Mexican cutout banner and decorated our little bulletin board with some colorful paper fans, raffia place mats and a cute sombrero and cactus banner. I added a few of the fiesta fun photo props to complete the look. I also added in some books from the library about Mexico and this became our exploration station. As the students explore the books, they learn all about the Mexican culture, heritage and traditions. As new connections are made, they jot down the things they learn on colorful index cards to share with the class.
To further explore Mexican traditions, we learn about their art forms. The use of bright colors and patterns is woven into many of the cultural celebrations and art work. We celebrate this by creating a little art of our own. Help your students appreciate Mexican-inspired artwork by creating some patterned cactus pictures on white construction paper.
I walk my students through each step and assist them as they create their masterpieces. We use rulers to help segment off the sections on the pot, then we create different patterns in each square. Once they are all done drawing their images in pencil, I have them trace it with a black Sharpie marker. From there they use watercolors to paint their artwork. Once their art is dry I mount it onto black construction paper. We hang these around the room to add to our festive decor.
As we learn more and more about Mexico I like to introduce traditional Mexican music. While my students continue to investigate the country, I have Mexican music playing in the background. We discuss traditional Mexican instruments and the differences and similarities to American-style music. As we listen, I have my students create their own DIY maracas so they can shake along to the beat. These are pretty simple and only require a few craft supplies: plastic spoons, plastic eggs, beads, washi tape. I fill some fun sombreros with colorful pony beads but you could use rice, dried beans or dried corn as well. The students fill their eggs with the beads and then tape the egg onto one spoon using washi tape. I encourage them to work in teams. One person holds while the other wraps the washi tape a few times around the spoons to enclose the egg. When you done you have a fun little maraca that you can shake along to the beat.
To celebrate all that we have learned, we finish off with our very own Cinco De Mayo celebration. I found some adorable decorations that were the perfect fit. Cute mini pinatas and a colorful chili table runner helped set a festive table. Fiesta Napkins and fiesta paper plates added some bold colors and patterns to the table.
Each student brings in a portion of a traditional Mexican meal, and we encourage a few sweet treats as well. We celebrate with tacos, nachos, beans and more.
This is such a fun way to explore another culture and expose students to a variety of customs, traditions and cultures. Happy Cinco De Mayo!
