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Activity
Mexic-Arte Museum

El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Educational Activity Guide

For Students 6th - 12th
Here's a must-have activity guide for any celebration of El Dia de Los Muertos. The colorfully 56-page packet is packed with historical background, information about Mesoamerican cultures, images of the works of famous artists, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Snake Handling

For Teachers K - 5th
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,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: Carving Through History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Peek into the art and history of ancient Mexico by analyzing the artifact Stone Serpent Heads. Learners examine images of the piece, discuss its origin, history, and significance. They experience the carving process by creating similar...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Esperanza Rising - Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Learn about Mexican culture while simultaneously strengthening reading, writing and computer skills. In order to get the most out of Esperanza Rising, pupils should have prior knowledge of Mexican culture. Therefore, there are links to a...
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Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Dolores Huerta: The Life and Work of a 20th Century Activist

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Extra! Extra! High schoolers read about Dolores Huerta, the social activist who helped organize the United Farm Workers. Researchers read primary and secondary sources about Huerta's work and craft a headline, supported by three pieces...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) - A Cultural Holiday: Color Exploration of Warm and Cool Colors

For Teachers 3rd
Young artists examine pictures from and discuss the holiday Día de los Muertos. The symbolic skull showcases the use of warm and cool colors. Color exploration allows learners to use coordinating colors to create two paper...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Folk Art: Sugar Skulls

For Teachers K - 5th
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...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Mexican Culture and History through Its National Holidays

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians have an opportunity to study the complex history and culture of Mexico by learning about several holidays: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe), The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los...
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Activity
Mexic-Arte Museum

Day of the Dead Educational Activity Guide

For Students 6th - 12th
Looking for ideas to help celebrate The Day of the Dead? A 20-page packet includes a history of El Dia de los Muertos, notes on the many worldwide celebrations honoring the dead, and seven activities. A great way to bring this colorful...
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Lesson Plan
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Smithsonian Institution

Hidden Histories: Mexican Repatriation During the 1930s

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
Mexican Repatriation: the forgotten deportation of American citizens. The resource focuses on the deportation of Mexican American citizens during the Great Depression. Young historians read documents, complete a free-write, and fill out...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Extranjeros and Expansion

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A three-part instructional activity gives light to the Unites States expansion from the view of Texans, New Mexicans, and Californians. Through videos and written activities, scholars work collaboratively to research specific individuals...
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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Aztecs

For Teachers 8th Standards
Is it a calendar? A religious symbol? A political statement? One thing for certain is that Aztec sun stone designs remain an important symbol in Mexican cultural art. Young artists craft their own Aztec Sun design incorporating ideas...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Arts - Mexican Indian Yarn Painting

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Have you ever seen a Mexican yarn painting? They're beautiful! Create a Mexican yarn painting with your class using this instructional activity. Start by discussing Mexico's culture and viewing different yarn paintings. After reading...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fit for a Queen or King

For Teachers K - 5th
Students identify and critique a classic sculpture from Mexico.  In this art analysis lesson, students observe the St. Ferdinand statue from Mexico while identifying artistic features that might represent royalty.  Students investigate a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Gallery of Mexican Art

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners tour a virtual gallery of Mexican Art and create a glossary of art terms. They explore the history and culture of Mexico through studying Mexican art. They access websites imbedded in this plan to study the artwork.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Holidays in Hispanic Countries

For Students 6th - 9th
When do Hispanic countries celebrate Flag Day and other prominent holidays? Using the chart provided, beginning Spanish speakers practice writing the dates of select holidays in Spanish. An interesting way to review Spanish dates. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Culture “La Raspa”

For Teachers 1st
Here are three lessons that work together to engage learners in a cultural and musical exploration. In lesson one the listen to the Mexican folk song, "La Raspa" and discuss cultural context. In lesson two they dance along to both "La...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Metal Tooling

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Metal work can be a wonderful way to expose learners to Mexican folk art. This resource provides all the necessary steps for creating Mexican metal tooling with your art class. Images, web links, recommended books and products make...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexico: Culture, Language, and History

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Study the culture, language, and history of Mexico in this collection of lessons. Create maps of Mexico's geography, study Spanish language phrases, and create a fiesta, along with a Mexican Marketplace scene.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Masks

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students research the Huichol social-cultural system in both historical and contemporary Mexican culture. They analyze how peoples' perceptions, attitudes, values, and beliefs affect the development of cultural identity. Students create...
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Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students research information about the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), a major celebration in Mexican culture, and compare it to similar holidays in other cultures. They discover various folk arts and festive traditions associated...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day 4: Folk Dance

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Day four of this dance lesson teaches the steps to a Mexican folk dance. It uses chunking and dance to aid them in memorizing the steps. Note: This lesson appears incomplete.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Piñatas

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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.