Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Independence Day

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students realize that countries have celebrations unique to them and demonstrate their understanding of the concept of tradition. They identify a family tradition that is important to each of them and demonstrate their understanding of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

NAFTA Trade Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils research the geography, economics and government of Canada and how that affects US/Canadian trade relations. In this NAFTA lesson, students play a game, read about Canadian history, and creat a graph.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

St. Michael, Prince of the Celestial Armies

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers describe this work of art as reflecting the beliefs of Mexicans in the viceregal period. They create their own sculptures in a lightweight material that shows themselves in an active pose.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Migration and the Spirits of Life

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study the Mexican traditions for the Day of the Dead. In this Mexican traditions instructional activity, students study monarch butterflies and learn about the role that the mariposa plays in the Day of the Dead. Students learn...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scenes of Reverence: The Virgin of Guadalupe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers learn the history of Christianity in New Spain. They learn the story and significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They compare and contrast images of the Virgin and religious art to European counterparts.
Lesson Plan
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The Fugitive Slave Law and Migration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Fugitive Slave Law as a motivating factor for slaves to emigrate outside the United States. After discussing the relationships between fugitive slaves and North American and Caribbean countries, they write essays...
Lesson Plan
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Glorieta Battlefield

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine how important combat was in Mississippi during the Civil War. They analyze the Battle of Glorieta Pass and soldiers movements and actions during the conflict. They also examine local war memorials.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conjunto Music from South Texas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pablita Velarde: A Biography

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students listen to Pablita Velarde: Painting Her People, a story by Marcella J. Rich. They discuss the book and why they think the author wrote it. They make a concept map of their ideas using Kidspiration software.
Lesson Plan
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Effects of the Spanish Conquest

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read and research the effects of the Spanish Conquistadors on the New World. Then they break into small groups and play a game of Jeopardy, using the facts that they have learned.
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Imagen e ldentidad/Image and Identity: Multiple Voices, Violations and Victories

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students spend a year involved in a project researching the diversity of Native Americans.
Lesson Plan
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Playing the Part of the Potter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars identify and define horror vacui (fear of empty spaces) and create their own pinch pot vessels with no empty spaces.
Lesson Plan
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3-D Posters

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars work in small groups to create 3-D posters to discourage throwing trash away and encourage recycling.
Lesson Plan
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Latin America: Places and Regions

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create a Latin American portfolio in the form of a country presentation using PowerPoint software. They use their knowledge of geographic concepts to interpret maps, globes, charts, diagrams, and timelines.
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Coming to California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
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SEEDS WE EAT

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Pupils identify seeds humans eat and do not eat. Students make seed collections, using common kitchen foods. Pupils display seeds from the foods they serve and discuss them with their guests. Students complete activities which identify...
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Translating Traditions

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students analyze art reflective of traditions and cultural heritage. In this art analysis lesson, students complete image based discussion.
Website
Other

Inside Mexico: Culture and Traditions

For Students 4th - 8th
Covers a wide variety of cultures and traditions of Mexico, including food, recipes, art, music, history, festivals and holidays. Some of the material is in both English and Spanish.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Online Exhibition: The Cultures and History of the Americas

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine some of the rare books, maps, prints and other artifacts in this online exhibition. The exhibition explores several themes on the cultures and history of the Americas. The collection focuses on the period of pre-contact through...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Hispano Music & Culture of the Northern Rio Grande

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of essays and other information on Hispanic music and culture in the Northern Rio Grande area, with a primary focus on New Mexico and Colorado. Contains links to texts, audio files, and other research materials. Good for...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Hispano Music & Culture of the Northern Rio Grande

For Students 9th - 10th
Collection of online resources on the Hispanic arts and culture of the Southwestern United States. Exhibits include essays, audio files, and links to related sites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Park Service: Hispano Ranchos of Northern New Mexico [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are able to grasp the idea of continuity and change by exploring the culture of the Hispanos in this detailed lesson plan.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Conflict of Cultures: President Polk and the Taking of the West

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson and activity on conflict of cultures in which students study U.S. overtaking lands of Mexico and California and form policy on property rights and citizenship of conquered cultures. Activity guidelines, questions for discussion...
Website
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies

Famsi: Epi Classic Cultural Dynamics in the Mezquital Valley

For Students 9th - 10th
Interesting study of artifacts used to demonstrate inter-regional trade in the Mezquital Valley area of Mexico during A.D. 600-1000. This work also offers good insights into specific cultures.