1. BR: T2D19
Read the story “The Hard-Hearted Son” (A Mexican Folktale) What message does this tale share about how children should behave? Consider a behavior, attitude, virtue, etc that you could teach with a story. Create a short story to convey this message:

2. World Geography Ch. 8.2: Cultures & Lifestyles
Today we learn a bit more about Latin America, especially its modern culture & people.

3. Daily Life in Latin America
Religion has an incredibly important role in Latin America. Most Latinos became Christian (esp. Catholic), and it is still the largest religious group in Latin America.
More recently, many have joined Protestant Churches in Latin America, and other religions have come to the area, such as Islam, as well as African religions & native American beliefs. Hinduism came with many immigrants as well. VID VID

4. Family & Fun in L. America
Family is very important to most people in Latin America. Many generations (Grandma, grandkids, parents, etc.) will live in the same household. Aunts and uncles and cousins live and stay close to each other. The father is traditionally the head of the household, though in some parts of the Caribbean, the mother is in charge.
Soccer is a very important pastime, and almost everyone is a fan in Latin America, especially in Brazil and Argentina. VID
Baseball is another sport that is popular, especially in the Caribbean. Many great players have come from this region to play “America’s Pastime”, especially the Dom. Republic + Cuba VID, VID

5. Celebrations
Most countries also celebrate Carnival, a large festival on the last day(s) before Lent. It is marked by singing, dancing, partying, etc. The Carnival VID in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is one of the most famous ones. Another important holiday is the Day of the Dead in Mexico. VID
Feasting is another important Latin American tradition. They eat lots of corn and beans, both crops that have been raised in Latin America for hundreds of years. Rice is another important food there today, as are fish, and also beef, especially in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay VID, BEEF

6. The Arts
The people of Latin America have a rich culture of art and culture. Cuban music for instance has many African influences; in the 1930s, the Mexicans started painting murals, or large paintings on walls, and these are often related to political issues of the time. VID
These have been influential outside of Latin America as well. Brazilian and Cuban music influenced jazz, and magic realism was a writing form from there that combined fantasy and normal events, (Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Fablehaven etc.) which has become a very popular in recent years in the U.S.

7. Legacy of Slavery in America
I’d like you to consider the legacy of slavery / colonization here in our very own United States. You can look at it from many different angles (DUE: T2D18 / Monday)
How the Native Americans are relegated to reservations, with huge problems of alcoholism, etc.
#BLM, with huge problems (perceived or otherwise) regarding incarceration / police brutality against blacks, etc.
Poverty in America: How can we solve this problem?
Drug Use: should the war on drugs continue, or should drugs be legalized?
See the Assignments for more options. You are either:
A- Creating an Editorial Letter: DesNews
Or B – Creating a Political Cartoon: Mr. Wright Explains, examples: Tax Plan, etc.