This curriculum guide is intended: (1) to expose students to the people and customs of Michoacan, Mexico; (2) to explore the meaning of traditional Day of the Dead customs through hands-on experiences; and (3) to build the self-esteem of second language learners of Mexican descent. During the study, students whose primary language is Spanish read…

This packet shares general impressions and interpretations of Mexico offered by a participant in a 5-week Fulbright-Hays Seminar. Included are suggestions on how to use this information to open up communication between the school and Mexican students and their parents. In addition to the background information and statistics, the material also has…

These lessons on Mexico have been taught in an integrated fashion within a sixth grade language arts and social studies classroom. Lessons are intended to be easy to pick up and use by any teacher. The material includes: (1) Rationale; (2) "Lesson 1 - I'll Bet You Can Map the Western Hemisphere in a Minute!"; (3) "Lesson 2 -…

This bibliography was compiled to help solve the problem of finding a variety of books about Central and South America and the Caribbean Region for Hispanic sixth graders. The bibliography includes both nonfiction books appropriate for use in a social studies research component and fiction books appropriate for a reading program. One video is…

Self-contained activities that will help social studies or Spanish foreign language students in grades 6-8 learn about the history and culture of Latin America are provided. Following an introductory unit, the activities, ranging from easy to complex, are organized by the following countries and areas: Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean,…

This curriculum guide presents materials for teaching about Central America and emphasizes the concepts of environment, culture, interdependence, and citizenship. The guide is designed to integrate the study of geographic, economic, historic, political, and social features of Central American nations. The major theme of the document deals with how…

Designed to provide a historically accurate look at contemporary political refugees in Nebraska, this teacher's guide traces the life of the Martinez family from their native home in Latin America, through their difficult journey to the United States, to their settlement in Omaha, Nebraska. By focusing on a fictitious family representative of…

These curriculum materials were designed to assist sixth grade teachers in the delivery of the world regions component of the grade six social studies. Activities engage students in thinking, analysis, and speculation with a blend of process and product exercises. The book is divided into five sections. "Introductory Activities" include:…

This unit on Ancient Rome (covering a time period from 753 B.C. until A.D. 476) contains the following elements: a list of documents, with a description of each document and a brief synopsis of its historical significance to the unit's theme; the documents; and a set of activities. The unit's documents are grouped under the five categories listed…

Intended for teachers of grades 5 and up, this unit on ancient Rome introduces students to a variety of primary sources, all chosen with the idea that they can be used to form an accurate and informative picture of what it was like to be a Roman during ancient times, and the similarities and dissimilarities between life then and today. The unit…

Informed US citizens recognize the importance of neighboring South American countries. Few teachers, however, have the time to teach about each Latin American country. One approach to instruction is to focus on a few important countries. Suggestions to help middle school students learn about Argentina, Brazil, and Peru are presented. (RM)

The work of 20th century Latin American artists is featured in this curriculum, which is intended for use with students in grades 6 to 12. These materials are designed to introduce the arts into the social studies curriculum, and to show Latin American artists to be as intellectually and aesthetically sophisticated as their European and North…

Maintains that, as socioeconomic systems fail to address inequity, the power and wealth of the rich increase at the expense of the poor. Discusses social inequities and violations of human rights in Guatemalan society. Describes a simulation based on Guatemalan textile factories. (CFR)

Designed to supplement an established language arts and social studies program, this books deals with the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas of Latin America. All of the "Story Starter" books are intended to give a variety of vocabulary and story ideas to help with the writing process. Each of the books is divided into four main sections: (1) an…

This curriculum unit, incorporating an art specialist's experience and knowledge gained in Mexico as a participant in the Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars Abroad Program, focuses on the creation of a ceramic shrine by 75 fifth graders. The ceramic shrine described in the unit uses clay, paint, varnish, collage materials, and tin for…