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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Contemporary Mexican and Puerto Rican Immigration

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students in an ESL classroom compare and contrast Puetro Rican and Mexican cultures. In groups, they research the reasons why people leave one country for another and how to obtain a visa. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the...
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Lesson Plan
Teacher.org

Christmas Around the World Part 1

For Students 2nd - 5th Standards
A creative lesson shines a spotlight on Christmas celebrations throughout six different countries. Scholars read an informative text and share their new-found knowledge with their peers. After hearing about each country, pupils choose...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Connecting Informational Text with Litearature: Building Background Knowledge About Mexican Immigration, California, and the Great Depression

For Teachers 5th Standards
Help your class transition as the setting in the novel Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, moves from Mexico to California. Beginning with prior knowledge, and moving into jigsaw research groups, class members add to and create posters...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States 1846-48

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. In this establishing borders lesson, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed. Learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling Through Literature

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Integrate geography with literature in this interdisciplinary lesson. Begin by reading a poem such as The Time We Climbed Snake Mountain by Leslie Marmon Silko. On a large map, place push pins in the cities or states mentioned. An...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dances of Mexico and the U.S.

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders experience cultures of Mexico through music and dance while showing the ability to others and their boundaries. They research cultures through music and dance. They perform a dance from each country.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regions of the US: Gulf Stream, States and Their Capitals

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify one way of dividing the US into geographical regions and then consider alternate ways of doing the same. They locate each of the fifty states and their capitals on a map. They research the Gulf Stream region.
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Perfect Postcards: California

For Teachers 4th Standards
It's time to hear about some adventures in travel! The Transcontinental Railroad changed life and travel in the United States during the 1800s. Practicing online research skills, pupils discover the features they would like to visit on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raton Pass and Glorieta Battlefield

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Raton Pass and Glorieta Battlefield on the Sante Fe Trail in New Mexico.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Geography Crossword Puzzle

For Students 7th - 8th
In this history worksheet, students answer nine questions concerning a variety of states and compass directions including north, south, east and west. Students complete a crossword puzzle.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aztec Culture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the Aztec culture in Mexico. They focus on their religious practices. They write a goal to personally sacrifice something. They also write about the costs and benefits of a sacrifice.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrate La Posada in Mexico!

For Teachers K
Students locate and identify Mexico on a world map. They develop an understanding of celebrating La Posada in Mexico as they listen to a story about the tradition of La Posada. They create a representation of a pointsettia. They act out...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the world is...

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students identify locations around the world.  In this mapping lesson, students place tag board pieces with names of locations on a wall map of the world.  Initially, students identify states, then cities, then continents, eventually...
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Lesson Plan
University of New Mexico

Let's Travel

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work in groups to research various locations across the United States. They present their findings to the class, participate in a travel fair, make phone calls to tourist agencies and write letters to state tourism...
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Website
PBS

Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates

For Students 4th - 12th Standards
From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Close Look at Mexico

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the diverse population of Mexico and compare it to that of the United States. They sing traditional songs of Mexico including the national anthem and memorize simple Spanish vocabulary and express greetings, age, likes,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonies and Revolution: Comparing US and Mexican History

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the emergence of the United States and Mexico as independent nations. They compare the colonial history of the two countries and discover the emergence of social classes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Food

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students be able to: students identify the foods associated with Mexico and compare and contrast these foods with the foods associated wtih their region of the U.S. They write menus, take quizzes and practice ordering a meal in Spanish.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Border Legends, Myth, & Folklore

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students examine the narrative forms and tales unique to the U.S.-Mexico border. They discuss the possible sociological meanings of these stories, and then write their own versions to demonstrate that they explain the forms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Along the El Camino Real

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
While studying each of the 21 missions in California, your class will learn about the founders and founding dates of each mission. Note: Some resource links may not be working, but can be supplemented with additional activities found on...
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

The Rise of Railroads: California

For Teachers 4th Standards
Railways are an integral part of the history of California. Using a timeline format, class members connect major historical events to the rise of the railroads and their impact on the state. Activities include a mix of independent and...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Geography of the United States

For Teachers 9th
Students examine the population growth of the United States.  In this Geography lesson, students construct a map of the fifty states.  Students create a graph of the population of the USA. 
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Interactive
Curated OER

ESL: States and Their Nicknames

For Students 5th - 7th
In this ESL state nicknames worksheet, students read an article about states and their nicknames, then complete 6 related questions. A link to audio and additional resources is given.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Fence

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read a news article from the New York Times related to the construction of a fence between Mexico and the U.S. and its impact on the lives of the people living on both sides. They read and discuss a variety of scenarios, answer...