May 5th Is Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "La Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican pride, unity and patriotism. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate family, culture and the experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry by having parades, music, dancing and other types of festive activities. Use the lesson plans, activities and thematic units here to celebrate the rich cultural roots of Mexican Americans.
For quick lessons, try one of these teacher-created Web Quests that we’ve discovered:
- Cinco de Mayo Web Quest (Grades 2-3)
- Celebrating Cinco de Mayo (Grade 3)
Articles
Cinco de Mayo: La Celebración matemática!
by Susan Dillon
Celebrate this important day in Mexican history with festive math activities
La Fiesta!
Early Childhood Today |
A cultural activity for preschool teachers to do with their students.
Internet Field Trip: Celebrate Mexico
This internet field trip introduces students to the culture, history and traditions of Mexico.
CyberHunt: Take a Trip to Mexico
Instructor Magazine |
,2001
Lead your class on a cyberjourney through Mexico with Instructor's Online CyberHunt. Suitable for middle and upper graders, the CyberHunt is a great individual or group activity.
Peoples of Mexico - The Mayas
Information and activities focused on ancient Mayan civilization. Includes Mayan calendar gyphs and math.
Voices From the Field: Mexico
by Karen Fanning
Audelia, a Mexican preschooler, is among hundreds of children who leave their homes in the surrounding mountains each January to help with younger siblings or to work in the tobacco fields alongside their parents.
Mexico
by George Grayson and John Ball
Grolier Online |
Meet the people of Mexico and explore their way of life.
Books and Resources for Teaching About Mexico!
by Gayle Berthiaume
Teacher created book list includes tips for classroom use.
Books for Teaching About Mexico
by Andrea J. Spillett
Recommended resources, nonfiction books, and picture books for teaching young children about the arts, culture, crafts, history, and geography of Mexico.
Hispanic Heritage Books and Resources
Books and Resources for learning about and celebrating Hispanic heritage.
Activities
Interactive timelines, scavenger hunts, and other learning fun all about Hispanic Americans. This page includes a link to the Hispanic Heritage Homepage and teacher's guide as well.
Find the matching cards in this concentration game.
Lesson Plans
Magnificent Mexico
by Andrea J. Spillett
Unit plan created from a teacher's experiences backpacking in central Mexico. Includes classroom crafts.
Let's Travel to Mexico!
by Gayle Berthiaume
Kids learn hands on about Mexican culture, crafts, and cuisine in this lesson unit. They even learn to match Spanish words with pictures.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
Students discover the contributions and rich cultures of Hispanics in the United States through a variety of research, discussion, and writing activities.
