We use an ecclectic, Unit-style, Charlotte Mason-ish (story based) approach, with lots of scope for the children to pursue areas they become interested in. For our family, both the children and myself appreciate a framework for our learning. Rather than finding this framework restrictive, the children enjoy having a structure to guide them along. I think the key is to make sure the structure is flexible and serves them, not the other way around.
We will use Galloping the Globe (G the G) as a spine, particularly the Literature suggestions, activites, and map-work. We will use The Story of the World, Vol.2 (Chapter 32 & 33) as the spine for the History section as well as The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia.
Some activities (like colouring) will suit Amy (Kindergarten) and Lili (Year 2) more than Nathan (Yr 6). Some of the reading and research suits Nathans level better.
The children will use this blog post to choose what they will learn about, in whatever order they like. They will most likely use a notebook to record what they are doing, and I will also take photos and record all of our activites on another blog post.
Most of the books we are using were purchased from https://www.bookdepository.com/
Here's the outline we will use:
General
Research the colours and coat of arms of the Mexican flag.
Colour the flag (G the G).
Do the mexican flag puzzle at http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/1712004174C?z=6&m=A9C9000F
Locate Mexico on the globe, in the atlas and on the North American map (G the G).
Learn about the capital city, population, type of government, currency, religion etc. Fill in the info chart on the Mexican map (G the G).
Learn about the landscapes, geography and native plants of Mexico. Using a map of Mexico, draw in where volcanoes, mountains, rivers etc are. Add animals and plants for each area eg desert, forest etc.
See http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/mexico/
and http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212302/mexico.html
and http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/mexico.html
Info about plants and animals http://www.vivanatura.org/index.html
Do a cactus art work (look at our story books for inspiration on Mexican style and colours).
Volcanoes
Learn about why volcanoes happen.
Watch http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/231-how-volcanoes-work-video.htm
Read more info here http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-volcano.htm
Short news clip about a recent eruption of Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/may/15/mexico-popocatepetl-volcano-erupts-video
Watch http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/forces-of-nature-kids/volcanoes-101-kids/
Video of an underwater volcano erupting http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/volcanoes/west-mata-submarine-volcano-vin/
Look at the atlas to see where volcanoes exist worldwide.
Read Hill of Fire by Thomas P. Lewis, based on the eruption of Paricutin volcano in 1943.
Learn about the Paricutin volcano- one of the few times people have witnessed the "birth" of a volcano. See http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Paricutin.html - this website more for Nathan to read on his own. Includes an eyewitness account.
See photos of Paricutin here http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_paricutin.html
Map showing Mexico's volcanoes http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Mexico/Maps/map_mexico_volcanoes.html
Try the volcano quiz here http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/puzzlesquizzes/quizyournoodle-volcanoes/
History
The Mayans
Listen to The Story of the World Chapter 32
Read Kingfisher History Encylopedia pages 86 & 87
Do the Mayan activity pages from The Story of the World
The Aztecs
Listen again to Chapter 32 if you want to.
Read Kingfisher History Encylopedia pages 196 & 197
Spanish Conquistadors and Hernando Cortes
Listen to The Story of the World Chapter 33
Read Kingfisher History Encylopedia page 220
Do some of the activity pages from SOTW
Mexican Independence from Spain
See http://www.inside-mexico.com/featureindep.htm
Read Cactus Soup by Eric A. Kimmel
Language, Art, Music, Sport and Culture
Learn to count to ten in Spanish (G the G).
Do the "Counting in Spanish" crossword (G the G).
Try adding and subtracting in Spanish.
Learn the other Spanish phrases at the back of The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote by Tony Johnston.
ReadThe Tale of Rabbit and Coyote by Tony Johnston- a Mexican folkstory.
Read Borreguita and the Coyote by Verna Aardema.
Write your own Mexican style folktale, perhaps with Coyote or Rabbit as characters. These types of stories usually try to explain something (like why Coyote howls at the moon) and/or have a moral. What will your story try to explain?
Read Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola.
Look at/read Mexican Art and Architecture by Anna Carew-Miller
Bullfighting
Watch the video about bullfighting here (Note: has some graphic bullfighting scenes)
Read The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Do you think bullfighting is OK? Why or why not?
Mariachi Music
Watch some Mariachi Music here and here
Make some Castanets
or Marracas
Make a Mariachi puppet
Holidays and Celebrations
Find out about the following Mexican special days and celebrations.
What do they celebrate?
Why is that day important? What is the origin of the celebration?
When do they happen?
How do they celebrate? What special foods, activities and decorations are part of the celebration? Are there any special symbols?
- El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
See http://www.celebrate-day-of-the-dead.com/day-of-the-dead-facts.html
Draw and decorate a Day of the Dead skull - see here and here and here
Make Papel Picado paper art http://www.teachkidsart.net/mexican-papel-picado/
more instructions and templates here
Turn a photo of yourself into a Day of the Dead sugar skull at http://www.picmonkey.com/# like this
Do a print artwork like this
- Mexican Independence Day
See http://www.inside-mexico.com/featureindep.htm
What is a "fiesta"?
Make "Fiesta Friends" paper dolls from here
Make a newspaper sombrero
- Navidad (Christmas)
Watch the story about The Legend of the Poinsettia here
Read about Las Posadas http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/christmas/posadas.htm
Hola, cena! (Hello, dinner!)
Read Huevos Rancheros, A Mexican Tale by Stefan Czernecki and then cook Huevos Rancheros.
Choose recipes from the cookbooks to make and eat.
