Homeschool Unit Studies: Mexico

______ Reading: Read about Carmen’s life in Mexico: http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212302/mexico.html and tell me 5 things you learn about Mexico.

______ Writing: French forces outnumbered the Mexican peasants nearly 3 to 1 at the Battle of Puebla. The French forces were more experienced at war and far better armed. But the rag-tag Mexican forces under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza were fighting to protect their homes and families.

If you were a Mexican peasant about to enter into a battle in which you knew you were greatly outnumbered and outarmed, how would you feel? Write a journal entry describing your feelings right before the attack.

The 6,000 French troops approaching Mexico City had anticipated no resistance. How do you think they felt when they were confronted by -- and lost to -- a far smaller army? Write a second journal entry from the perspective of a French soldier after the battle. –from http://www.theholidayzone.com/cinco/cinco-de-mayo-language.html (there are more Cinco de Mayo language arts ideas on the web page as well)

______ Math:

Learn to count to 10 in Spanish (uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez)
Practice your measuring skills by making your own flour tortillas: http://www.theholidayzone.com /cinco/cinco-de-mayo-recipes.html#flour Have an adult help you cook them.

______ Science: Watch this video about Monarch butterflies: http://video.kids.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/kids/animals-pets-kids/bugs-kids/monarch-butterflies-kids.html

______ Service: Grandparents are revered in the Mexican culture. Make a treat or do a chore for one of your grandparents.

______ Vocabulary/Spelling: Write each word 10 times and use each one in a sentence- Mexico, monarch, Pacific

______ Health: Beans are one staple of the Mexican diet. As a vegetable, beans offer more protein and fiber than any other vegetable. They are also a good source of iron, magnesium, folate, and potassium. The My Pyramid food guide recommends that we eat 3 cups of beans each week. Choose one of the following recipes and make it:

- Refried Beans (no-fat, slow-cooker) http://thingsdanielleloves.blogspot.com/2010/03/crock-pots.html

- Chili: http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/swap/detail.aspx?ID=116

- Black Beans http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Black-Beans-with-Pico-de-Gallo/Detail.aspx

______ Social Studies:

Be able to locate Mexico on a world map and to identify the capital (Mexico City) and the bodies of water on either side of it (Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west)

Print this page: http://www.nickjr.com/printables/flag-of-mexico-coloring-page.jhtml and color the Mexican flag

Watch this short video to learn about Cinco de Mayo: http://www.history.com/videos/cinco-de-mayo#cinco-de-mayo

______ Language Arts: Discuss the differences in titles for people in both English and Spanish. Men are usually addressed as Mister/Mr. in English and as Señor in Spanish. Married women are addressed as Mrs. or Ms in English and as Señora in Spanish. Single women are addressed as Miss in English and as Señorita in Spanish.

______ Domestic Arts: Make a piñata to use on Cinco de Mayo or for a future celebration: http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacpinat.htm

______ Art: Make a God’s Eye: http://www.makingfriends.com/godseyes.htm an craft made by the Huichol people of Mexico.

______ Music:

Read the introduction about maracas and then make your own set following the Method Two instructions: http://www.kinderart.com/sculpture/maraca1.shtml