1. Mexico Katie Mielke Katie Stanley EDE 300-02 05/01/02

2. Mexico: The Land and the People Grade 3

3. Lesson Objectives Be able to identify Mexico on a map.
Have an understanding of Mexican culture and traditions.
Understand how diversity can have a positive effect on their life.
                                                            

4. Geography

5. Geography Also bordered by the Rio Grande ( meaning “Big River”).
Mexico is shaped like a fat fish hook!
Inside the hook is the Gulf of Mexico.
The Pacific Ocean borders Mexico’s West Coast.
Most of Mexico is a high mesa, or plateau.
Also bordered by the Rio Grande ( meaning “Big River”).
Mexico has two mountain ranges:
The East and West Sierra Madres.

6. Topographical Map Activity
You will need:
Scrap paper
Blender
White glue
Masonite or thin, stable board
Tempera paint
Paintbrush
STEP 1:
Tear paper into small pieces and soak in water for an hour.
STEP 2:
Blend paper in blender to make pulp and squeeze out the moisture,
You need about 2 cups of the pulp.

7. Topographical Map Activity
STEP 3:
Draw a large outline of Mexico on the board.
Use the pulp to fill in the outline and build in the mountain chains and high plateaus.
Paint the map, using tempera paint, and add details to the mountains (brown), plateaus (green), and oceans (blue).
Add a color key.

8. Demographics Population: Approx. 94 million people
Size: 756,066 square miles
Mexico is 4 times larger than Texas!
Capital: Mexico City
Language: Spanish
Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic
Crops: coffee, cotton, and wheat

9. Town Square in Mexico City

10. The Mexican Flag Green Stripe stands for hope.
White Stripe stands for purity.
Red Stripe stands for the blood of the Mexican People.
Drawing is based on an Aztec legend.

11. History of Mexico
Mexico was inhabited by Indian civilizations, such as the Mayans and the Aztecs.
In 1519, the Spanish came to Mexico and conquered the Aztecs.
They killed people mercilessly and destroyed villages and cities.

12. Aztecs The Aztecs migrated from their homeland, Aztlan.
They were told by a religious god to settle where they saw an eagle in a cactus eating a snake.
Aztecs have about 1,600 gods ~ one for every aspect of their life.

13. Aztecs
The Aztecs also had public ceremonies, involving dancing, singing, music and drama, as well as bloody human sacrifices.

14. Religion
One of the main religions in Mexico is Catholicism. Over 92% of the people are Catholic.
The Indians worship many gods and goddesses
There is no national religion.
                                                                                                         

15. Celebrations and Festivals
Holy Week
Easter celebrations that last one week.
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
December 12th
A day of feast in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe (the Virgin Mary).
Posada
Longest celebration in Mexico.
During Christmas time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

16. Cinco de Mayo Means the fifth of May
Celebration of the victory at the Battle of Puebla
Celebration of independence

17. Dia De La Raza October 12th
Celebration to honor people of mixed Spanish and Mexican Heritage!
Plenty of food, dancing and music!!!

18. Making Pinatas You will need: Large, round balloon Newspaper
Paste (equal amounts of flour and water)
Twine
Paint and paintbrush
Tissue paper
Glue
Rope
STEP 1:
Blow up balloon and tie it. Tear newspaper into short strips. Paste a layer of strips over the balloon, overlapping slightly.
Make a harness for the balloon. Cover with three more layers of strips. Hang balloon to dry (may take several days).

19. Making Pinatas
STEP 3:
Paint the pinata as desired, and then cut a trap door in the back. Pop the balloon and remove it.
STEP 4:
Fill the pinata with goodies and close the trap door.
Hang the pinata from a rope and you are ready to go!!!

20. Family Family life is extremely important in Mexico.
Children, parents, and grandparents often live in the same house.
On Sundays, friends and family gather together to share a big meal together.

21. Education
School is free and children are expected to attend at least until the 6th grade.
At age 14 students decide whether or not to go on to secondary school.

22. Language Spanish is the national language
Indian languages are also spoken
There are different dialects of Spanish spoken
Chilango Spanish
Norteno Spanish
Yucateco Spanish

23. Food
Mexican food is a mixture produced from Spain, France, Germany and Italy.
Mexico introduced the world to its own food; corn, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, vanilla, chilies and peanuts.

24. Making Tortillas You will need: 2 cups of masa harina
1 1/3 cup of water
Wax paper
Griddle or frying pan
STEP 1:
Heat the pan on the stove over medium heat.
STEP 2:
Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces and roll each into a small ball. Press each ball into a flat circle, or use a rolling pin b/w two pieces of wax paper.

25. Making Tortillas STEP 3:
Cook each tortilla in the pan for about a minute, and then turn over and cook for 30 seconds.
Makes 10 6-inch tortillas
Put the tortillas into a warm basket lined with cloth and you are ready to eat!!!

26. Sports Futbol (soccer) is the national sport.
Everyone begins playing at a very young age.
Baseball is also a popular sport.
Bullfighting is the most popular spectator sport in Mexico.

27. Music
The most popular style of music Nortena, a mixture of sounds from Europe and Mexico.
Mexicans also enjoy Tejano, which is a mix of American and Mexican music.
Mariachi bands are also popular.

28. Our Own Mexican Fiesta!
Decorate your party space with red, green, and white, the colors of the Mexican flag!
Plan a menu of Mexican foods, such as burritos, made with homemade tortillas and salsa!
Make a pinata to include in the festivities!
Wear some festive Mexican clothing, play some traditional music, and greet your guests in Spanish!
You are ready to party down Mexican style!!!

29. Party Time at the Mexican Fiesta!!!

30. Interactive Websites http://teacher.scholastic.com/glokid/mexico/

31. Books !Mexico! 40 activities to experience Mexico past and present
By Susan Milord
Countries of the World: Mexico
by Michael Dahl
Our Global Village: A Cultural Resource Guide
by Nancy Klepper
Aztecs: The Fall of the Aztec Capital
by Richard Platt