Let's Learn About Mexico!
Have you always wanted to visit exciting and exotic places, but haven't had the time or money? Well, now you can take that trip, without ever leaving your home! Hop on board the Lilliput Express as we go adventuring in Mexico. Bring along your camera; you'll want to take pictures along the way. And don't forget to pack your notebook so you can keep a journal of your experiences. We'll even give you some ideas for creating a vacation scrapbook (Some people like to call these "lapbooks.") Are you ready for an adventure? Then let's go!
Mapping Lessons
Where Is Mexico?
If you want to get where you are going, then you must first know where you are. So, pull out your globe and find your starting point. Mark it with your finger. Now find Mexico. It is at the bottom of North America, right below the United States. Trace the path from your home to Mexico. What would it take for you to get there? Would you need to travel by boat or plane or could you drive there? How long would the trip take? Do some research to find the answers to these questions and record them in your trip journal. You might want to include a map of Mexico as well.Then create a minibook to include in your scrapbook.
Language Lessons
¿Habla Español?
While the Mexican government officially recognizes 62 indigenous languages, Spanish is most commonly spoken. While we are traveling, let's learn a little Spanish so we will be able to speak with the locals.
First, let's learn about the Spanish vowels and consonants. When you are familiar with these, try some of the other lessons on the sites listed below.
First, let's learn about the Spanish vowels and consonants. When you are familiar with these, try some of the other lessons on the sites listed below.
- Spanish Words For Visitors To Mexico
- Useful Spanish phrases - Basic Spanish Phrases and Spanish words for Tourists.
- Little Explorers Picture Dictionary
- Common Phrases and Question Words
- Spanish for Children
- Fun and educational activities to learn the Spanish language
Some Books That Might Also Be Useful
Dressing For the Occasion
When in Mexico, do as the Mexicans?
We've finally arrived in Mexico! But where are all the sombreros and colorful ponchos we expected to see? Our tour guide informs us that the clothing worn in major cities by modern Mexicans is much the same as our own. The clothing worn in smaller towns is slightly more traditional, especially in the colors chosen. However, traditional clothing is still worn on special occasions.
Our first visit to Mexico is certainly a special occasion, isn't it? So, let's wear ours anyway!
Our first visit to Mexico is certainly a special occasion, isn't it? So, let's wear ours anyway!
How to Make a Sombrero
To make a sombrero, you need two circles of paper about 36 inches in diameter. Mix flour and water to make paste. Spread paste on top of one circle and place the other circle on top. Mold a circle around your head(this will take two people) and tie a string around it to hold it in place. When the forms are set, you can remove the mold. Curl the edges of your sombrero to make the brim. Let the hat dry overnight. The sobrero can then be painted with tempera paint in colorful designs. Let the paint dry. Then punch a hole in each side of the brim and run a string over the back of the brim and through the holes to tie the hat on.
How to Make A Mexican Poncho
Cut sides from a paper grocery sack so you have one long rectangle. Cut a diamond shape so the paper poncho will fit over the top of your head.Color patterns on the sack with crayons, or glue on decorations cut from colored paper. (We used crepe paper.) Cut fringe at the bottom, or glue one on. Your poncho is ready to wear!
Take a few minutes to record what you've learned about Mexican clothing in your trip journal. Have someone take a picture of you dressed in your "traditional" clothing. Then you can add it to your journal page or to your scrapbook. While you're at it, you may also want to complete a minibook for your scrapbook.
Paper Dolls In Traditional Costume
Rebozo
Even though the clothing worn in most areas of Mexico is similar to that worn in the United States, it is still common in some areas to see women wearing a rebozo. A rebozo is a rectangular shawl made of cotton, wool, silk, or articela. It should be long enough to go around a person's body and then overlap a little. They can be worn as scarves or shawls, and women often use them to carry children and take products to the market. Even elderly women wear theirs almost all the time. If you would like, you can make your own rebozo to wear. You can also make a minibook about rebozos for your scrapbook. What Can You Do With a Rebozo?
Let's Eat!
It's been a long trip, and I bet you're hungry. It's a good thing for us that Mexico is known for its delicious food. Most of today's Mexican food is a combination of Aztecs and Maya foods and those introduced by Spanish colonists. The food is often colorful because of the variety of vegtables and meats that are used. However, our tour guide warns us that we must be careful since we are traveling in a foreign country. The bacteria here are different from the ones our body has become used to at home and travelers sometimes experience upset stomachs. We'll take it easy for the first few days until our stomachs have grown accustomed to their new environment.Let's start with some simple tortillas and refried beans. According to Mayan legend, tortillas were invented by a peasant long ago to feed his hungry king. A Mexican table without tortillas is considered to be an empty table. Refried beans are often thought to have been "fried twice", but this is actually a mistranslation of the Mexican word "refrito." Refied beans are actually beans which are "fried really well" until the bean paste dries out and will keep its shape when served.
Flour Tortillas
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup shortening
½ cup warm water (more or less)
½ teaspoon salt (or less)
In a bowl, mix the shortening with the flour by hand. Heat the water and add the salt until it dissolves. Add the water gradually to form a soft dough. If it's too dry, add additional (unsalted) water; if too sticky, add more flour. Knead for at least 15 minutes. Quarter the dough and then divide each quarter into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough balls sit for about 30 minutes.
Press each ball lightly with the palms of your hand to flatten. Roll them out on a floured surface to about an 8-inch diameter (for 12 tortillas).
Preheat an ungreased skillet or griddle on a medium-high setting. Cook until light brown bubbles form on the bottom - about 1 minute or less. Turn over and press any raised areas down with a spatula. Stack the cooked tortillas in a dry, clean dishtowel until serving time.
When we are more accustomed to the local food, we can try some more adventurous recipes. Remember to write about Mexican food in your trip journal and add some recipes to your scrapbook.
Tortillas!
More Recipes Online
- Mexican Recipes Kids Can Make: Great Ideas for a Fiesta Party
- International cooking is fun for parties and special occasions. Here are some Mexican recipes that kids can make with a little bit of adult supervision.
- Mexican Recipes
- Another site with recipes kids can make.
- Holiday Traditions - Mexico
- A couple of Christmas recipes from Mexico.
- Mexican Food Pyramid
- Fun alternative to the food pyramid
- Burritos! Hot on the Trail of the Little Burro
- A fun website to amuse, confuse, and entertain you.
- Mexican Cooking
- Señora Martha Favela de Valdepeñas is the mother of 8 and the grandmother of 19. She lives in Lerdo, Durango in north-central Mexico. Generally, quantities are not given because she does not measure things. Timing is not reported because she doesn't time things. She goes by look, taste and experience. So these photo essays are not cookbooks, they are visits to a Mexican kitchen.
Mexican Cookbooks
The Young Chef's Mexican Cookbook (I'm the Chef)
Simple recipes and fully illustrated cooking directions make the books in this series extremely user friendly. Even an adult could use them!
Cutural Lessons
music and dance in Mexico
Perhaps you would enjoy some entertainment while you eat?
ALEGRES DE TERAN
ALEGRES DE TERAN EN RANCHO DE LOS HERMANOS CARDENAS
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Our tour guide recommends these websites
if you'd like to learn more about the music and dance of Mexico
Then make a minibook to add to your scrapbook.
- Music of Mexico
- Wikipedia
- Music In Mexico- A brief introduction
- A narrative by June Summers
- Mexican Traditional Music
- The history of traditional music in Mexico as we know it today starts with the Mexican son, ranchera and maricahi orchestras.
- Mexico: National Geographic World Music
- Explore the music of Mexico at National Geographic World Music. Discover key artists, albums and genres from Mexico at the online home of world music.
- The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago
- Music and dances
- Mexican Children's Songs- Mama Lisa's World
- Children's songs and nursery rhymes from all over the globe presented both in English and their native languages. Many include sound clips and sheet music.
Cultural Lessons
the arts and crafts of mexico
coming soon!
Project Ideas
more things you can do to learn about Mexico
Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present (Kaleidoscope Kids)
This book has a variety of simple projects to help you learn about Mexico, including grinding corn and making tortillas, making Mexican hot chocolate, making a pinata, and lots more. It even includes a "gringo friendly" recipe for menudo, minus the intestines. Even without the project ideas, it would be a great additon to any study of Mexico. It is full of fun facts which are informative and easy to read.
Project Ideas On the Internet
- Maracas
- Maracas were originally made from the dried shells of gourds with beads or beans inside that rattled around.
- Ojo de Dios
- The " Ojo de Dios" or God's Eye is an ancient symbol made by the Huichol Indians of Mexico. The central eye was made when a child was born. Each year, a bit of yarn was added until the child turned five at which point the Ojo was complete.
- Fiesta Table Decorations
- A Mexican Fiesta is great way to explore Mexican history and culture. Here are directions for making a sombrero centerpiece and woven placemats.
- Ristra
- In a typical Mexican market, you can commonly find as many as 20 varieties of chili peppers, ranging in flavor from subtle to fiery hot. Available in many sizes and colors, they are often strung together into a decorative ristra and hung on doors.
"Living Books" About Mexican Artists
Frida (English Language Edition)
A story about world-renowned painter Frida Kahlo, wife of Diego Rivera.
The Pot That Juan Built (Pura Belpre Honor Book. Illustrator (Awards))
A story about noted Mexican potter Juan Quezada.
Tour Mexico Through Literature
stories from or about Mexico
- Mexico
- by Margaret Duncan Coxhead
- The Story of Mexico
- by Charles Morris
- Mexico, The Country
- Free Elementary talking ebook on Mexican symbols, Mexican Religion, Mexico history, Mexico's Geography - Mexico, the country.
- The Story of Colors/La Historia de Los Colores
- Free from Wowio
- Tell Me a Cuento / Cuentame un story
- Free from Wowio
- Estrellita de oro / Little Gold Star: A Cinderella Cuento
- Free from Wowio
- Our Little Mexican Cousin
- by Edward C. Butler
Storybooks About Mexico You Might Enjoy
Send Me A Postcard!
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Hi! Please let me know what you think about this lens. And if you appreciate the work I've put into creating it, please take a few minutes to scroll back to the top and give me some stars. Thanks!
Lensmaster
Robyn wrote
Thank you for all this! We homeschool and are taking a trip to Mexico in May. This will help immensely in making a lapbook on Mexico before we go!
Posted February 10, 2008
Lensmaster
Wendy wrote
I volunteered to teach a unit study on Mexico to our homeschool group's K/1 class. This is all I will need and more--thank you so much!
Posted January 18, 2008
Jimmie wrote...
Wow! Your lenses get better and better! Great job here! I'm ready to don a sombrero and eat some tortillas!
Posted January 13, 2008
