Smithsonian Institution
Latino Expression
How much of your daily life is influenced by Latin American music? Take a listen—the answer may surprise you! High schoolers keep a journal to note any instances they see Latino culture represented, including the media, their school, and...
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Language Spoken in Mexico
Third graders explore how to say numbers and words in Spanish. They match Spanish words to the translated English words. They recognze words that are similar in the Spanish and English language.
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A Visit to Mexico City: An Introduction to World Communities
Third graders complete a variety of activities as they take an imaginary trip to Mexico City, complete with passports, maps, and Spanish dictionaries. They write postcards to send home and create items to sell at the market. The unit...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Yankee Doodle: How Has It Changed over Time?
Grab your feathers and your hat! And perhaps some macaroni! It's time to investigate the evolution of "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Groups do a close reading of sheet music covers, lyrics, and even YouTube videos to see how this political song...
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Examining Secondary Sources: The American Revolution
Learners who have a grasp on the events of the Revolutionary war view clips from five different films as secondary sources. They take notes on each clip thinking about historic inaccuracies. They then view parts of the film The Patriot...
Museum of Tolerance
The Pursuit of Democracy and Diversity: The Trial of Pro-Social Injustice in Historical Documents and Accounts
Class members investigate The Indian Removal Act of 1830, U.S. Theft of Mexican Territory Timeline, and President Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Horace Greeley, 1862, and then conduct a mock trial of each of these documents to determine...
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"De Colores"
First graders learn color words in Spanish through the use of a song. In this Spanish music activity, 1st graders sing the song "De Colores" to help them learn their color words in Spanish.
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Hay un Chico Mexicano
Students explore Hispanic challenges. In this introductory Spanish lesson, students read structured narratives pertaining to Hispanic children. Students discuss the narratives in order to better understand the lives of Mexican immigrants.
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Amelia's Road: Teacher's Guide
Students complete pre reading, writing, during reading, and interdisciplinary activities for the book Amelia's Road. In this reading lesson plan, students complete journal entries, answer short answer questions, have discussions, and more.
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Day of the Dead
Students study the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead. They view a video and research questions on the Internet. They synthesize the information from the websites and the topic for their RAFT writing assignment. They write their...
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What is Important to You?
Students examine the life of Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist known for her self-portraits. After discussing her works and life as an artist, students use mirrors to examine their faces and begin drawing their own self-portraits.
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Individual Empowerment in the Face of Oppression
Sixth graders investigate non-violent ways of dealing with conflicts by performing short plays. In this philosophy lesson plan, 6th graders discuss how men can gain power in a non-violent manner similar to Gandhi's actions. Students...
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Research Process
Students research a deserted island that they find off of Mexico and create a diorama about it. In this research lesson plan, students also make a brochure of their island.
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Esperanza Rising
Pupils explore foreign cultures by reading a story in class. In this Hispanic history lesson, students read the story Radio Man by Arthur Dorros and identify the times discrimination is used in the story. Pupils discuss labor problems in...
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Social Studies: Manifest Destiny or Bust
Fifth graders explore the westward movement between 1800 and 1861 in the United States. They write narratives from the standpoint of those cultures that were repressed during this period, such as Native Americans, slaves, or Mexicans. ...
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Creating a Self Portrait painting With Decorative Frame
Sixth graders view a large image of a painting and discuss the history and its role in past and current culture in Mexico. Student list the symbols portrayed in the work and explain their significance. Students use elements of art to...
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Immigrants to Kansas: Why Did They Come
Students explore U.S. History by researching Kansas. In this immigration activity, students discuss the benefits of immigrating to a state like Kansas in the 1800's while writing their thoughts and research in a reporter's notebook....
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The Witch of Goingsnake
Students complete literary analysis activities using proverbs. In this proverbs lesson, students interpret a proverb and discuss the structure of poems. Students write essays explaining the summary statement and complete a Venn diagram...
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The Mesoamerican Mystique
Students gain a better understanding of the cultural diversity in the northern region of Central America. They engage in a instructional activity which focuses on research, archaeology, historical videos, and travel highlights.
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Make A Pinata
Students work cooperatively to create pinatas using balloons, old newspapers, flour, water, tempera paints, string, scissors, and candy in this excellent lesson plan for the Elementary classroom. This can be ties into a unit of study on...
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Civil War: Generals at the Battle of Stones River
Students explore U.S. history by creating a computer presentation in class. In this Civil War battle lesson, students read assigned text about the Battle of Stones River and research individual generals from the battles. Students utilize...
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A Taste of the Caribbean
Students are introduced to the foods and traditions of the Caribbean. In groups, they brainstorm their own definition of culture and review the physical and political geography of the Caribbean. They spend time sampling different foods...
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El Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
Students conduct Internet research on the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. They complete a worksheet answering questions about the Ballet Folklorico, and create an award and write a speech to present to the class.
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Mexican Masks
Students explore the Mexican mask-making tradition and create maks that tell stories. They desribe how art tells stories and examine early Mexican culture in California.