Mexico Webquest for First Graders

Introduction
A new family from Mexico has moved in to your neighborhood. One of the children, Diego, is your age and his birthday is in a couple of weeks. You want to make him feel at home and to have a birthday party for him that reminds him of birthday celebrations in Mexico.

Task
You want to have an authentic Mexican celebration for Diego's birthday. Your task is to find out about the customs and traditions of Mexico using a web site and books from the library. Then you will help create a mural illustrating the party. Everyone will learn about all 3 topics.

Process
1. The group numbers will be placed in a piñata. One child will break the piñata. Your planning group number (1, 2 or 3) will be written on the piece of candy that you get from the piñata.

2. Your group will work together to research each topic. The topics are food and music, Decorations and Activities and Gifts and Favors.

3. Find out as much as you can about your topic using books, cassette tapes, and the Internet.

4. Work together with other members of the group to complete the activities for your topic. Decide what you will include in your party. Create an object to add to your mural.

5. To present your information you will create a Diego Rivera-type mural with your group.

Research and Create
Food and Music
Listen to traditional Mexican music as you plan a comida. Include an appetizer, a main course and a dessert. Don't forget something to drink. 

Each person in your group will use construction paper to create a different food. Make a bowl or plate to put the food on. Make a table and table cloth out of construction paper. Use traditional Mexican colors and designs in your table cloth and containers.

Books:
A World of Recipes, Mexico by Julie McCulloch (4 copies in classrooms)
Food and Cooking, Latino Life by Tracy Clavin (394.1 CLA)
Festivals of the World-Mexico, Gareth Stevens (972 BER)
A Taste of Mexico by Linda Illsley (972 ILL)

Let's Go Traveling in Mexico, Robin Krupp (Becky)
Food and Recipes of Mexico,  Theresa M. Beatty (Becky)

CD:
Gracias, Juan Gabriel! Mariachi "Arriba Juarez" (CD 780 CAM)

Decorations and Activities
Learn how to make papel picado. Find out the songs Mexican children sing and the games they play at their birthday parties. What activities you would like to do at your party - a song, dance, game?

Each person will make papel picadousing tissue paper.  Use the cardboard cutouts to draw yourself participating in the activities your group chooses.

A Kaleidoscope Kids Book-Mexico, Susan Milord (972 MIL 2 copies) page 28
Mexico Culture Kit by Linda Scher (4 copies in classrooms) pages 21-23
Mexico-The People, Bobbie Kalman (972 KAL)
Mexico-The Culture, Bobbie Kalman (972 KAL) 3 copies
Holidays and Celebrations, Latino Lifeby Ruth Goring (392.26 GOR) page 8

Gifts and Favors
What gift could you give from Mexico?  Click on Zoom School-Mexico. Then click on "Hola Spanish". Write down the name of a gift in English and Spanish. Click on these links and decide which favor you will give to the guests at your party. Candy    Games     Toys

Draw your gift inside the "package". Decorate the package with ribbon. Each person can choose a different favor or you can all decide to give the same thing. Make a pinata to put the favors in. Draw the favors.