5 IDeas to Teach about Mexico
Mexico has such a beautiful, rich culture make sure you that you are not teaching stereotypes.
Idea #1 Teach Misconceptions about Mexico
Students (and adults) have a lot of misconceptions about Mexico. I had students brainstorm ideas what they think they know about Mexico. The anchor chart above is after we have done some research using Epic! We started with them on blue Post Its in the middle. Then, as we did research, after we proved one of our "thinkings" is either a fact or a misconception, we would change the color of the Post Its and it put it in the correct category.
Epic! books is a FREE app that has free high quality books. Instead of buying books, you can use EPIC! to project them. Below is a screenshot of a library I created about all of the books about Mexico that are appropriate for preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade to do in a whole group setting. (Click the link below to check it out or the picture).
https://www.getepic.com/app/user-collection/1167671
Students can also do research on their own using the link below. I created an Epic! library of books that kindergarten and first grade students can research about Mexico independently:
https://www.getepic.com/app/user-collection/1167680
Idea #2: Teach about the famous landmarks through play.
There are so many amazing landmarks and architecture in Mexico. Some of my favorite landmarks are Palacio de Bellas Artes, Metropolitan Cathedral and Chichen Itza. I included the following signs in my STEM lab and challenged the students to build with them. Click the picture below to go get these signs in my Global Awareness Centers.
This is a great video about Chichen Itza by National Geographic Kids. Click the picture to go to the video on Youtube.
Idea #3 Teach about influential people from Mexico
This directed drawing above is from Happy Teacher Palette. My students LOVED learning about Frida Kahlo.
It's Monique's World and The Happy Teacher's Palette created an great bundle of Influential Hispanic people. The packet includes informational text and directed drawings of these famous Mexicans and Mexican-Americans:
Selena
Cesar Chavez
Juan Herrera
Ellen Ochoa
Dolores Huerta
Sylvia Mendez
Diego Rivera
Mario Molina
Gary Soto
Pat Mora
Click here to check out this amazing bundle.
Idea #4 Teach about famous architects and unique architecture through STEM Challenges
Tatiana Bilbao is a famous Mexican architect. The Lusitania Bridge and Museo Soumaya are two unique architecture features in Mexico that you can teach your students about and challenge them to try to build. To get these signs for your STEM centers click here.
Idea #5 Teach about the People, traditions and customs of Mexico
One of the best ways to teach your students about the Mexican culture, traditions and people is through books. Below are pictures of some of books that I recommend. To check out this books on Amazon click here. (Affiliate Link)
Day of the Dead is a very important holiday in Mexico. You can also explore Day of the Dead through Global Awareness STEAM Centers. I always include nonfiction texts about the holidays in my centers, so students can do more research if they chose.
