PCS Travels to Mexico

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General Information and Facts

Welcome to Mexico http://www.pocanticohills.org/mexico/title.htm 
A site created by second graders 9and their teachers) studying Mexico.

Fun Facts http://www.tooter4kids.com/Mexico/fun_facts.htm
Fun facts geared toward upper elementary, links to other sites are no longer functioning

47 Interesting Facts about Mexico http://facts.randomhistory.com/2008/11/25_mexico.html

Lonely Planet Information and Travel Guide http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico 

Discovering Mexico (National Geographic) http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/96/mexico/ 

Language

Spanish Numbers 1-100 http://www.donquijote.org/spanishlanguage/numbers/numbers1.asp 
Learn how to form numbers in Spanish from 1 to 100.

Play & Learn Spanish http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_es.php# 
Literacy Center Education Network - Early Childhood Education Network

English/Spanish Translation Games http://www.syvum.com/squizzes/spanish/ 

MAPS

Lesson: Maps Of Mexico http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSMapsOfMexico45.htm#
Grades 4-5 Mexican map activity

Virtual Tours of Mexican Cities http://www.mexico-maps.com/

History and Culture

A Kid's Life in Mexico http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212302/mexico.html 
Part of a Thinkquest site

Lesson- Mexican Food http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSOMDMexicanFood5.htm
This is one of several lessons about food vocabulary. This lesson introduces Mexican food and the history behind it. The main objective of this lesson is to introduce new food vocabulary to the students. In addition, the students will also participate in classroom activities, make a menu of their own, take quizzes, and use the internet to practice the vocabulary. The students will apply what they learn in a Mexican restaurant, by ordering their meal in Spanish.
Learner Objectives:
Following a lecture on the history of Mexican food, grade five students will be able to recognize and order Mexican cuisine, at a restaurant, with 100% accuracy.

Mexico: History and Culture http://www.geographia.com/mexico/index.htm

Ancient Mexico: The Civilizations of Ancient Mesoamerica http://www.theancientweb.com/explore/content.aspx?content_id=19
Histories of several ancient Mexican civilizations

Maya Adventure http://www.smm.org/sln/ma/index.html 

The Science Museum of Minnesota presents Maya Adventure, a World-Wide Web site that highlights science activities and information related to ancient and modern Maya culture. Maya Adventure includes images from the Science Museum 's anthropological collections and activities developed by the Science Museum 's education division. Featured in the project is information from two exhibits about the Maya developed by the Science Museum of Minnesota, Cenote of Sacrifice and Flowers, Saints and Toads.

Lesson- Aztecs Find a Home: The Eagle Has Landed http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=436  

Ancient Aztec, the capital Tenochtitlan and modern-day Mexico City . It is said that the Aztecs chose the site of their capital, Tenochtitlan , because of the presence of a bird perched on a cactus and eating a snake. In this lesson, students will learn about that ancient Aztec legend and about how Tenochtitlan became the site of modern-day Mexico City .

Conquistadors  http://www.outreachworld.org/resource.asp?curriculumid=1007 
4 Interdisciplinary teaching units. This PBS website contains 4 lesson plans geared to the national standards and a variety of "Teaching Tickler" interactive activities and discussion questions. Subjects include Cortes and the Aztecs, Pizarro and the Incas, Orellana and the Amazon, and Cabeza de Vaca. The site also includes a Timeline of Conquest, as well as information about Mexico and the Aztec empire, Peru and the growth of the Inca empire, plants and animals of the Amazonia , and native people of North and South America . The PDF lessons vary in length from 22-32 pages and can be downloaded directly from the website.

Conquistadors – Mexico  http://www.pbs.org/opb/conquistadors/mexico/mexico.htm
PBS Site about the Conquistadors, especially the conquest of Montezuma and the Aztecs.

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Holidays

DAY OF THE DEAD (Dia de los Muertos)
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/sugar_skulls/instructions.html
Good directions to make sugar skulls

Cinco de Mayo http://www.outreachworld.org/resource.asp?curriculumid=983\
A Historical Celebration . Today, Hispanic communities remember Cinco de Mayo (“the fifth of May”) as an important day. In some parts of Mexico , many celebrate this holiday by reenacting the Battle of Puebla. In America , Cinco de Mayo has been a day to celebrate Hispanic culture in general, and is celebrated by huge fairs, which include Mexican singing, dancing, feasting, costumes, fireworks, and entertainment. This observance of the Cinco de Mayo victory is a special symbol for all Mexican people who celebrate their rights of freedom and liberty, honoring those who fought, against the odds, for these principles.

This unit is specific to grades K-2 and can be adapted for third grade. Integration of this unit of study into the daily curriculum is recommended for strengthening existing curriculum and providing cultural inclusion. Students will learn math, reading, writing, art, dance, and food by visiting various holidays and fiestas specific to Mexican culture. This unit provides a wonderful opportunity for students to compare and contrast the ways we pay homage to special days and traditions. Includes bibliography. The lessons can be downloaded as a 42 page PDF from the site.

Cinco de Mayo  http://www.theholidayzone.com/cinco/index.html
Games, crafts, activities to celebrate Cinco de mayo

Word searches and other Cinco de Mayo activities http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/cinco-de-mayo/

Carnival in Veracruz http://www.outreachworld.org/resource.asp?curriculumid=64  
PowerPoint slide show of carnival in Veracruz , Mexico .

Literature

Octavio Paz, Poet http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1990/paz-bio.html
Biography of the Nobel Prize winning poet, Octavio Paz

Octavio Paz’s poem, "Motion"

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1990/paz-poetry.html

Aztec and Mayan Culture (including Conquistadors, Spanish Conquest)  

http://www.proteacher.com/cgi-bin/outsidesite.cgi?id=10711&external=http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/aztec/aztectg.html&original=http://www.proteacher.com/090095.shtml&title=Aztec%20Folktales

Middle school language arts . In this unit students will read two Aztec folk tales: "Aztec Snow White" and "Legend of the Fifth Sun." Compare with Grimm version of Snow White

Stories-  Life in the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Region of Mexico: Children and Families Share Their Stories

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/LifeSanctuaryRegion.html

Learn about the lives of children who live in the monarch sanctuary.  Reading activities for teachers.

Magic Tales of Mexico http://www.g-world.org/magictales/ 
Collected by Gabriel A. Cordova, Jr.

Mexican Folktales--Mexican Culture for Kids http://www.mexicancultureforkids.com/?cat=12 

Arts/Artists

Art of Mexico   http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/Files/mexico.htm  
Lesson ideas, activities and information

A Gallery of Mexican Art  http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson234.shtml
Subject: Art , Grade: 6-8, 9-12

Mexarte and Aztecajewelry http://www.mexarte.com
Focus: to seek out and provide the very best replicas of Aztec art, Mayan art, Olmec art and other per-Columbian art. We also design and handcraft Aztec jewelry, Maya jewelry and pre-Columbian design Jewelry. Our Museum quality pre-Columbian art, Maya art,  and Aztec art replicas are handcrafted from the finest quality materials to replicate the original masterpieces.  Our Aztec jewelry, Maya jewelry and other pre-Columbian jewelry is crafted with the finest Taxco silver and replicates exactly the original Aztec, Maya other Mesoamerican designs with semi-precious stone. The Aztec art and Maya art replicas are handcrafted by the most talented artisans in the whole of Mexico and include Aztec calendars, Mayan calendars, pre-Columbian masks, Aztec warriors, Palenque heads, Mayan glyphs, and repujado (repousse) metal wall art. Our sterling silver (.925) Mexican jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, broaches, and unisex jewelry) is designed and handcrafted crafted in Taxco , the silver capital of Mexico . Taxco jewelry is world renowned for its superior quality and craftsmanship.

Mexican Pottery http://www.mexicanceramic.com/aboutceramics.htm

Diego Rivera http://www.diegorivera.com/index.php
Virtual Web museum about the life and works of Diego Rivera.  Includes a short film clip of the painter.

Diego Rivera http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/diego-rivera/about-the-artist/64/
PBS site about Diego Rivera.  

Frida Kahlo http://www.fridakahlo.com/index.php
Biography and artwork of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo http://www.pbs.org/weta/fridakahlo/
Biography and interpretation of artwork of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo

Virtual Paper Doll of Frida Kahlo http://statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits/frida/frida1.html
Dress her in traditional authentic regional clothing. Descriptions of the clothes are included.  

José Clemente Orozco http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/jose-clemente-orozco/orozco-man-of-fire/82/
Information from the PBS special about J.C. Orozco

José Clemente Orozco http://www.mmoca.org/mmocacollects/artwork_page.php?id=35
Mass MoCA site with educator info as well as artowrks, bio and more

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Crafts

Oaxacan Painted Animal Carvings http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/high/Joani-Oaxaca.htm How to make simplified Oaxacan painted animal carvings.

Oaxacan Wood carvings http://www.oaxacafinecarvings.com/artoaxacanwoodcarvings.htm
Information about Oaxacan wood carvings with links to galleries of gorgeous examples.

Folkart / Papel Amate http://www.outreachworld.org/resource.asp?curriculumid=576 
Learning about the art of making Papel Amate . In this lesson, student are introduced to an unusual, yet very popular, form of folkart Papel Amate that was found around Oaxaca , Mexico . The Papel Amate traditionally is made of a bark paper 

Amate Paper http://www.home.earthlink.net/~kering/amate.html

Pointsettia Banners http://tides.sfasu.edu/Teachers/Tides/docs/VirtualExpeditions/videos/pb.html
Includes a movie showing how to make these banners for "Day of the Dead."

Papel Amate Traditional Ceremonial Cuttings http://www.mexicantextiles.com/othertraditions/amatetradition/
Students learn about the purpose of Papel Amate and eventually will make an imitation of papel amate by using a torn section of a paper grocery bag. Then they analyze the technique before assimilating followed by a discussion on the techniques and colors they used as well and why. Students  one of their own. In addition, students learn to identify some of the traditional costumes, architecture, sports, celebrations, flora, and fauna 

Make your own Huichol Bead Art http://tides.sfasu.edu/Teachers/Tides/docs/LessonPlans/ArtProjects/huicholBeadArt.html
Huichol Indian Bead art. A how to with great links and good photos.

Mexican crafts   http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/cinco-de-mayo/

Sugar Skulls   http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/sugar_skulls/instructions.html  
Good directions to make sugar skulls  

Music

The Beat of Mexico http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/01-1/lp234_03.shtml
Lesson for Grade: Pre-K, K-2, 3-5 . Students learn about mariachi music and create their own rhythm instruments.

Manuel Maria Ponce http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Manuel_Maria_Ponce_20981/20981.htm
Biography of Mexican composer, Manuel Maria Ponce

Mama Lisa's World http://www.mamalisa.com/?p=285&t=ec&c=50 
Children's songs and nursery rhymes from Mexico in English and Spanish. Midi files, Mp3 files, and sheet music to download.

Nature/Environment/Animal Adaptations

Pico de Orizaba, Volcano: Mexican volcanoes  

Zacatuche Volcano Rabbit http://tides.sfasu.edu/Teachers/Tides/docs/LessonPlans/MiddleSchool/science/AvilaRabbit.html
Compare rabbits in your own backyard to rabbits that have adapted to life near a volcano in Mexico .

Monarch Butterflies http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/

Fabulous, rich site! Monarch Butterfly Migration. Most everything you need to follow the butterflies on their amazing trek South and North again.  Great info on migration.

Journey North begins again in February. Watch for weekly updates from the monarch winter sanctuary region beginning Thursday, February 4, 2010 . Please join us!

Stories-  Life in the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Region of Mexico: Children and Families Share Their Stories

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/LifeSanctuaryRegion.html

Learn about the lives of children who live in the monarch sanctuary.  Reading activities for teachers.

Webquest: Acid Thunder: Saving El Tajín from Acid Rain   https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/kahl/www/WebQuests/Tajin/

A WebQuest about researchers studying the effects of Acid Rain on the ruins of El Tajin in Veracruz State .  Lots of good science resources. Also available in Spanish.

Sports

Lucha Libre "free wrestling" or "free fighting" http://www.mexicancultureforkids.com/?cat=10 
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucha_Libre 

Charreria Mexicana http://www.aboutmexico.net/mexico/charreria.asp 
Charreria is the national sport of Mexico. It is a distinct style of horsemanship, which evolved during the time of the hacienda system. The sport requires bulls to be caught and thrown down via their tails.

Bullfighting in Mexico http://www.aboutmexico.net/mexico/bullfighting.asp 

Futbol (Soccer) http://www.aboutmexico.net/mexico/soccer.asp 
One of the most popular sports in Mexico is futbol, also known as soccer in other countries.

Lessons/Study Units

Assorted Webquests http://my.execpc.com/~ehannan/WebQSources.html
All ages

World of Wonders Mexico Expedition - Lesson Plans http://www.questconnect.org/mexico_lessonplans.htm

Lesson plans, guides maps

Mexico http://countries.mrdonn.org/mexico.html
PowerPoint presentations, Interactive computer activities and lesson plans

TeacherVision Resources about Mexico http://www.teachervision.fen.com/mexico/north-america/63984.html?detoured=1 

Quiz on Mexico https://www.mygradebook.com/secured/quiz_take.cfm?DEMO=Y&DEMO_TEACHER_ID=10177443&DEMO_QUIZ_UID=0DCD412F-66E7-450A-8CA0-5C083633596D&DEMO_RETURN_URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachervision.fen.com%2Fmexico%2Fquiz%2F2793.html%3Fdetoured%3D1

Quiz from TeacherVision about Mexico .  

Cities of Mexico http://tides.sfasu.edu/Teachers/Tides/docs/LessonPlans/HighSchool/modLang/MclainCities.html

Lesson on Cities of Mexico .  Group research project. In this lesson plan, students will create a project based on a city in Mexico. These projects will be visual and will include components such as a map, a historic representation of the city, two interesting characteristics of the city, and a comparison of the Mexican city with an American city.

Children of Mexico http://tides.sfasu.edu/Teachers/tides/docs/LessonPlans/Elementary/socialPlans/WillmerMexico.html

Lesson comparing life here to life in Mexico . In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to expand their global perspective by comparing life in their country to the lives of children in Mexico. Students will be shown a series of artifacts and products, found on the TIDES website, and will make guesses about where the objects came from or where they were made. The lesson will conclude with a writing project about life in Mexico, which will then be compiled into a book for the class to share.

Celebration of Mexicanos Through Music, Dance, and Art http://www.outreachworld.org/resource.asp?curriculumid=977 .

Celebrations signify the good things in life. Above all else, they mean a day off from work and a time to spend with family and friends and connect with a culture. People have celebrated in many ways through dance, art, and music. Traditions are what keep a society of people together. This is a bond, which has been passed down through generations. Many people can recall a song sung by rote when you were a child, which in turn you may have taught to your children, who may one day pass it on to their children.

Mexicanos have used their rich history, from the beginning of the 16th century through present day, to help carry on those traditions. In the 16th century, the Europeans came to rule Mexico and Central America and brought with them their music and art. The music from Mexico has influenced the culture today. Latin music has evolved from the Europeans into a distinct sound. It is prevalent in the United States today, whether it is as pop music, R&B, or the traditional Latin sound.

This unit should be taught as an interdisciplinary unit of Social Studies and English and could be used to introduce students to holidays, celebrations, family, music, and food of the Latino culture. The unit is based on 30-minute classes that will meet three times a week and can be used in any primary grades, kindergarten through second grade. These lessons can be shortened or lengthened depending on the time available and the preparation of the teacher.

The lessons can be downloaded as a 42 page PDF from this site at the link below. This unit is one of some three dozen web-based resources recommended by the Florida International University Latin American and Caribbean Center .

Where in the World Is Mexico ? http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/01-1/lp234_01.shtml
Subject: Geography, art/Crafts Grade: Pre-K-2, 3-5.  Brief Description Students create puzzles of a map of Mexico. Objectives Students practice map-reading skills as they locate Mexico and its cities on a world map. Keywords Mexico, map, capital, city, country, North America, puzzle.

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