Mexico Powerpoint for Primary Source

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Window to the World
Exploring Mexico with
Fiction and Nonfiction

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Caveats
 Who wrote the books, and when were they written?
 Who was the perceived audience?
 Who wrote the history?
 What stereotypes persist?
 Is the diversity of the people represented?
 How will this material be perceived by the children using it?

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Introducing Mexico…
Choosing books to use.
 What do I notice about this book?
 Do stereotypes persist?
 How will this material be perceived by the children using it?
 Would I use this book with my students?
 How can I use it?
 Some books to share:
Dear Primo
Mexico: In the Children’s Own Words

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Mexico’s Past
 Powerpoint of Aztec Civilization
 Primary Source Documents – How do we know?
 Some books to share…
What the Aztecs Told Me
The Sad Night
Secret World of the Aztecs
Hands of the Maya
 Resources online/field trips Peabody-Harvard

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Tenochtitlan

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Mexico’s Past
 A Librarian’s Challenge –
Where are the books about more recent history?
 Look at: Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata
 Who is left out? Lots of people! For example:
 Father Hidalgo and Benito Juarez.
 Maquiladores - factory workers on the U.S. border.
 Native Mexicans and African-Mexicans.
New resource: Encyclopedia Britannica

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Grito de Dolores –
Cry for Independence
 Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
rang the bell of church on
September 16th, 1810.
 Calls for people to fight
against colonial rule.
 Spark for Mexican War of
Independence.
 Reenacted each year by
Mexican president.

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Celebrations &
Special Events in Mexico’s Past
 Mexican Independence Day - September 15th
Father Hidalgo and the Grito de Delores
 Dia de la Raza, October 12th – Celebrates connection to Spain
 Day of the Dead, November 1st and 2nd
 Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 21st
 Cinco de Mayo – May 5th – began in the U.S.
 Catholic Celebrations – Easter, Carnival, Christmas
 Day of Our Lady Guadalupe – December 12th
 Las Posadas + Navidad – December 16th – 25th
 Birthdays, Weddings, Fiestas, Quinceaneras

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Let me tell you
a story…
Why use
folktales?
What does it tell us about:
the place,
the people,
the culture & art.

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Arts and Crafts
of Mexico
Two Projects:
 Saturday Market
 Class History Mural

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Two projects that integrate
arts and culture.
Saturday Market Class History Mural
 Based on:  Based on the work of
Saturday Market Diego Rivera.
 Students make:  Researched Diego Rivera
 Tin Art Frames. and Frida Kahlo.
 Huichol Yarn Plates.
 Ojo de Dios.  Looked at his
 Papel Picado.
work, others muralistas.
 Weaving using straws.  Created murals of our
 Paper flowers school year and Frida
Kahlo- like self-portraits.
*Extensions for older
students.

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Science Connections –
We Share a
Continent
 Migration- a shared environment.
 Monarch butterflies.
 Gray whale.
 Mario Molina: Chemist and Nobel Prize Winner
 Fits with discussions about CFCs, global warming.
 Impact of pollution on Mexico City –
 Check out Hemispheres’ Lesson
 Oil spill – impact of marine life, fishing
 Volcanoes – Hill of Fire, and Best Book of Volcanoes

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Let’s Read!
Fiction and Poetry about Mexico
 Challenge – finding books at this age range in English about
children living regular lives in Mexico.
 Check out Award websites:
 Americas Book Award
 Pura Belpre Award
 Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award
 Considerations when choosing books:
 What does it add to our understanding?
 Is it a well-written book?
 Books to share…

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Literature Connections