In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to expand their global perspective by comparing life in their country to the lives of children in Mexico. Students will be shown a series of artifacts and products, found on the TIDES website, and will make guesses about where the objects came from or where they were made. The lesson will conclude with a writing project about life in Mexico, which will then be compiled into a book for the class to share.

Created by Jenny Willmer, October 2006

Goal: Children will learn about social functions such as education, production, consumption, communication, and transportation.

Objectives: To expand children's global perspective and compare their culture to that of a different community.

Learn similarities and differences of the lives of children in Mexico, compared to the lives of children in Michigan/United States.

To gather the interests of the class, bring in a collection of artifacts/objects from Mexico (suggested items: art work, coins, flag, hat, souvenirs). Tell the children you will show them the items one at a time and see if they can solve the mystery--what country are the artifacts from? As you add the artifacts one at a time, provide children with the opportunity to guess. Do their answers change as more items are displayed?

After sharing, tell them they are going to learn about Mexico. What do they already know about that country? Show them a map and invite them to locate Mexico. How far away is it from their own home? Invite discussion about how we would travel there and how long would it take. Chart what the students want to know about Mexico.

Share the Children of Mexico clip. Use a Venn Diagram to illustrate the similarities and differences of the lives of the children in the video clip compared to their own lives.

At this time, share other pictures including homes, transportation, and signs. Add information to the Venn Diagram.

Focus: Children will learn what products may come from Mexico.

Lesson: Bring in items made from different parts of the world (Japan, China, United States, Taiwan…). Ask what they think might be made in Mexico. Show them the picture of cocoa beans and discuss what it might be. Provide a chocolate sample for the students and watch the video clip of cocoa beans. Why are cocoa beans grown in Mexico but not in Michigan? Next, show the students the video clip of rug weaving. What is the difference from making things by hand or in a factory? What are some things we produce in our country/state? Show children pictures of the market. Discuss the differences between their shopping experiences.

After discussion of these two lessons, provide the children time for a writing activity. Each child will write three or more sentences on what they now know about life in Mexico and how it compares to his/her own life. Each child will write one question stating what he/she still wants to learn about Mexican culture. Compile the writing and assemble as a class book to share.

After viewing the video clip of rug weaving, try a weaving project in the class. Use cardboard and string as a loom and demonstrate how to weave yarn in and out.

Have the children pretend they are interviewers. Invite them to generate questions they would ask a second grader from Mexico.

Refer back to the picture of the little girl selling flowers to help earn money for the family. Facilitate a discussion on how they contribute/help their families. Explain that small children in our country don't earn wages but that there are other ways they can be helpful. Allow each child time to complete the helping hands writing

Lesson Materials:

Mexico market pictures Mexico pictures (daily life) Children in Mexico (daily life) Helping Hands worksheet Children of Mexico Power Point (Right Click to save as a PowerPoint) from the 2006 Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminar Abroad Program (Mexico) Venn Diagram Vea esta lección en Español aquí.

Links to Related TIDES Art Activities:

Spanish AlphabetDay of the Dead Coloring Activity Paper Flower Chain