Mexico & Central America: A Fiesta of Cultures, Crafts, and Activities for Ages 8–12 - Softcover

Turck, Mary C.

9781556525254: Mexico & Central America: A Fiesta of Cultures, Crafts, and Activities for Ages 8–12

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556525257 ISBN 13: 9781556525254

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2004

This multicultural activity book celebrates the myriad cultures of Mexico and Central America and their shared ancient Aztec and Mayan roots. For each country, a brief introduction is provided that includes illustrated maps and facts about population and geography. More than 40 projects and three dramatic play scripts explore the interconnectedness of these countries and help children experience aspects of daily life throughout the region including school, work, home, art and poetry, food and agriculture, and special holidays. Activities include embroidering Mayan designs, painting in the Salvadoran style, creating an ofrenda for the Day of the Dead, crafting political puppets, cooking chocobananas, and making pi�atas. Engaging sidebars throughout the book provide children with an introduction to the Spanish language. Also included are tips for teachers who want to use the activities in the classroom, complete with more specific age ranges and suggested modifications.

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About the Author:

Mary C. Turck is an educator and the author of many books for children, including The Civil Rights Movement for Kids.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-7–Beginning with a historical overview of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations, this book provides a wealth of information about the Latino cultures originating in Mexico and Central America. Mayan math and art designs, floating chinampa gardens, language, traditions, and the calendar of the Aztecs precede a quick summary of facts about each country and a description of culture (art, holidays, schools, and games) by geographic location–the mountains, Atlantic coast, and borderlands. Thirty-five activities, from short plays to art projects, allow children to explore bits of everyday life, but so many activities in separate boxes often interrupt the narrative, forcing readers to turn pages to look for the next sentence in the continuing text. Age-appropriate art and cooking activities reveal the region's diversity, but the book also includes discussion of the dangers inherent in illegal border crossings and the existence of sweatshops amid a discussion of employment and needs of Mexico's citizens. Information about unions, the creation of political puppets, a play about striking workers, a listing of Web sites that support union ideals, and an emphasis on undocumented Latino immigrants to the U.S. are placed in chapters entitled "Going to School," "Art and Poetry," "Daily Grind," and "La Frontera: Borderlands." As a teacher resource, this book includes unique and entertaining activities; however, the political nature of some topics indicates an audience of older students not included in the front-cover advisory. An additional purchase.–Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
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