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CULTURAL PASSPORT TO MEXICO

Cinco De Mayo

Introduction | Essential Questions | The Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion |
 


Source: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/davidseth/BattleofPuebla.jpg
 

Introduction

Today, people in both the United States and Mexico celebrate Cinco de Mayo -- the Fifth of May -- as a day of freedom and goodwill.  The holiday is mostly celebrated in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.   

During this unit you will obtain and assess information about Mexico - its country, flag, instruments, culture, celebrations and people. You will complete a passport to document your activity while preparing for your final journey to Mexico - to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Mexico and the United States share a border and a history. Mexico is a large, Spanish-speaking country in southern North America. In Spanish, the name of this country is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (the United States of Mexico). 

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, as some assume.  
Instead, it commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla. During this battle, a few thousand ill-equipped Mexican citizens defeated a much larger army of highly trained French soldiers.  Although the victory did not result in the immediate end of French occupation, many historians believe it indirectly affected the outcome of the American Civil War and led to Mexico's eventual independence. Mexico had officially gained its independence from Spain some four decades before the conflict with France. Mexico celebrates September 16 -- the anniversary of the start of its War for Independence from Spain -- as its Independence Day (called "Grito de Dolores"). 

In fact, Cinco de Mayo ranks as only a regional holiday in Mexico. It is not celebrated as a national holiday. But in the United States and in other parts of the world, it has developed into a celebration of Mexican heritage.

Get ready to learn about Cinco De Mayo, and answer the following Essential Questions as you complete your passport:
 

Essential Questions

Essential Question 1:
What does Cinco de Mayo represent for the Mexican population?  

Essential Question 2:
Why do you think this has become such a significant holiday worldwide?

Essential Question 3:
How does the Cinco de Mayo holiday compare to holidays that your family celebrates?  

Essential Question 4:
What is culture? 


 The Process

TASK ONE - Day 1: Background Information
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 Materials:

1)  Internet access
2)  Passport Journal
3)  Pencil, crayons and/or markers
You will put your name on your Passport Journal.  In order to prepare for your trip to Mexico for Cinco de Mayo, you need to find out and document the following information: 

1)  What does Country (Mexico) look like?  Write in the 
      country name: Mexico.   Draw what Mexico looks like.

2)   What does the country flag look like?  Draw and color the 
       flag of Mexico, using the original flag colors.

The legend of the coat of arms on Mexico's flag is about the building of the city of Tenochittlan (te nach tee TLAN), which later became known as Mexico City, by the Aztecs. 

According to the legend, an Aztec god told a wandering tribe to settle where they found an eagle devouring a snake on a cactus growing from a rock. The Aztecs did find such a sight and set up their city on the spot. 

The coat of arms is on a tri-colored background of green (independence), white (religion), and red (union). 

Complete your passport by going to links below.   The passport will be completed over the next few classes.  This is additional information that you will locate:   

3)   Draw and write the names of instruments played in Mexico.

4)   Write down new words you have learned doing your 
       research (Please spell them correctly.)   

5)    Draw a picture of some of the things you learned in 
       Mexico.

6)    Write a short paragraph about some of the things you 
       learned in Mexico.

TASK TWO - Day 2: Traditions            

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 Let us view a Discovery Education Movie about Cinco de Mayo.  

What does the word, tradition, mean?

While viewing this clip, watch and listen for the special traditions that the Mexican people have for celebrating 
Cinco De Mayo.

What traditions did you see the Mexican people enjoy during this clip?  

2)


Brainstorm:  

Identify a few traditions that you are familiar with from your family.  Share during discussion. 

3)

 

 Class Discussion:  
What do you cultures (or people) include in their celebrations? 
4)

 

 

 Different countries have holidays that we may be unfamiliar to us.   

In Mexico, holidays are called festivals or fiestas.  A fiesta  An example of a reason that the Mexicans hold a fiesta is Mexican Independence Day or Cinco de Mayo.
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 Complete a Venn Diagram, comparing and contrasting the Cinco de Mayo celebration with one you celebrate with your own family. 

Do not forget to include the parts of cultural celebrations that we discussed earlier in class, things that you saw on the Discovery Education video, and other information from the links below. 
6) Add any new words that you have learned to your passport. 
   
   
 

 

TASK THREE - Day 3: Music of Mexico

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Just as the United States has reasons from history as to why we celebrate our independence, so does Mexico.  

I will read you a story about Cinco De Mayo.  Listen for clues about what happened in Mexico's history. 

Think-Pair-Share: Think of reasons why a country would want to have independence or freedom from another country.  You will partner with another person to discuss your answers.  Then, share your ideas with the class. 

 2)

 


 

 Today, we will listen to "Cinco De Mayo." 

Listen for the instruments and the words to the song.  

    -  What are they singing about?  What "code" words 
        help you figure out what they are singing about?  

    -   Name the instruments that you hear.  

Using a link below, find pictures of these instruments and add them to your Passport. 

3)

 

 Add any new words that you have learned to your passport. 

 

TASK FOUR - Day 4: Completing your Passport

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Class Discussion:
 Today you are going to complete your Passport. 

What have we learned so far about Mexico?

What have we learned so far about Cinco De Mayo?

Today you are going to complete your Passport.  

Take some time to think about what you have learned.  Use the links below to check spelling, facts, or look at additional pictures.

You will draw a picture about what you learned, and you will write a paragraph about what you learned.  

2)  Check your work.  Make sure your map of Mexico and Flag of Mexico are correct, completed, and colored in.
3) Add any new words that you have learned to your passport. 
4)
 		Word Search Puzzle:
When done, complete the "Cinco de Mayo" Word Search puzzle.  Look up any words that you do not know, and add any 'new' words to your passport.  

 


Extensions:
 
 

1)  In a lesson extension, students will:
 Create and play models of a Mexican musical instrument (maracas).

2)  In a lesson extension, students will:

Play the maracas they created while singing the song, "Cinco de Mayo" from Music K8.  

3) In a lesson extension, students can:
Students will break up into groups of four or five. For this activity, they will create a flag or poster in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. They can be creative in their design.  The poster could include a slogan related to the military victory or a festive display of some of the symbols or images associated with the holiday.

4)  In a lesson Extension, student can:
Complete an acrostic poem about Cinco de Mayo.