Among Mexico's most original traditions is the holiday dedicated to honoring the dead, Dia de los Muertos, November 2. This tradition combines aspects that define the national spirit. At the same time that it is a solemn festivity to remember the dead, it becomes a fiesta in its own right. Death, more than a thing to be feared, becomes the motif…

Six Chicano anthologies, five novels, and one poem written between 1959 and 1979, selected for their usefulness as texts for a Chicano literature course, were investigated for occurrence of folk beliefs and legends. The 1959 novel "Pocho" contained one reference to a belief. In the 1967 poem "I Am Joaquin" were references which…

Compared to mental health professionals, curanderos were more reluctant to label psychiatric or folk-medical disorders in hypothetical case histories as "mental illness." They perceived people as less seriously ill and less dangerous to others or to themselves. Curanderos perceived the disorders, their causes, and appropriate treatments…

Presents survey data on the unique needs of the Spanish-speaking community for bilingual services and culturally reinforcing materials. The survey provides hard data on the level of awareness of library service by a sizable Mexican American population in southern California. (RAA)

This booklet accompanied a 1991 exhibition of migrant arts, mounted by CAMPS (Creative Artists Migrant Program Services) and an ongoing program of collection and documentation research on migrant folk arts at the BOCES Geneseo Migrant Center. There are four passages in migrant lives: through historical time, through space, through the seasons of…

The field of Mexican American studies has come of age only in the past 15 years. This bibliography represents a core library collection of works in Mexican American studies and the Mexican American experience. Works significantly influencing Chicano scholarship are also included. The bibliography is weighted to reflect the historical period from…

Developed as part of a multicultural research project in the San Diego Community College District, this booklet presents the findings of a 10-member research team about various elements of Mexican-American culture. The areas covered are: (1) historical background on the Mexican heritage of the United States from pre-colonial times to the present…

This packet of six lesson plans highlights Mexican-American life on a Texas cotton farm in the early 20th century. Each lesson provides a lesson overview; states educational objectives; cites materials needed; details the procedure for classroom implementation; offers a closure activity; and suggests an extension activity. The packet is divided…

Results of a study to determine the effects of strong family orientation on elderly Chicanos' knowledge of and participation in government work-training programs suggest that familism is a critical component of Chicano culture and that it limits the elderly Chicanos' awareness of, but not enthusiasm for, government programs. (Author/SB)

Describes the impact of a multi-ethnic, multicultural program, designed to immerse students in Mexican culture as a means of combating ignorance of and violence against members of ethnic groups at Fairfield University. Interviews, pretests and post-tests, and participant observations are used to determine whether the training program was…

Describes a proposed comprehensive model for recruiting and retaining Mexican-American students at Iowa State University. Presents the academic and cultural issues facing Mexican-American students, as well as how Hispanic cultural values could be addressed in the comprehensive recruitment and retention model. (Author/EV)

Investigated Mexican American cultural traits displayed by young children during sociodramatic play in a bilingual preschool classroom. Cultural traits identified as funds of knowledge include language, values, beliefs, ways of discipline, household care, and value of education. Findings underscore the inadequacy of representing cultures through…

This curriculum presentation outlines how to celebrate five Mexican holidays in the classroom: Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, Fiesta, Las Posados, and Three Kings Day. The goal is to help children learn through hands-on activities and real-life experiences. The format for each holiday celebration includes a brief history with ideas for…

This curriculum unit helps teachers and students explore important murals by Mexican American artists in Los Angeles (California), examine murals from the past, and work together to make their own murals. The unit suggests questions to be considered in the classroom: Why do people make murals? Why does Los Angeles have more murals than any other…

Examines the role of discourse in the leadership of Cesar Chavez and Reies Tijerina in the Chicano movement. Demonstrates that their commitment to rhetorical discourse flowed not from their conviction about the innate power of words but from a deeper belief that God infused their words with an irresistible force. (JMF)