Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present (Kaleidoscope Kids) [Paperback]

Susan Milord (Author), Michael P. Kline (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Kaleidoscope Kids

The book is meant for ages 9 to 12 years. Kids experience firsthand the customs, traditions, and cultures of Mexico as they carve an ancient Olmec head, sing in a Mariachi band, build an Aztec step pyramid; concoct Day of the Dead sugar skulls (then eat them!), construct a topo map alive with mountains, valleys, and volcanoes; whip up an authentic meal of home-made tortillas, salsa verde, and Mexican hot chocolate; Ask important questions about poverty, pollution, feeling safe, education, and rural versus urban lifestyles; Discover how art served the needs of ancient peoples, and see how the past collides with the present every day in Mexico; Meet Aztec ruler Moctezuma II, mural artist Diego Rivera, political leader Benito Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla - the 'father' of Mexican independence, and Spanish colonialist Hernando Cortes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7-Milord provides an amazing amount of information about Mexico, ranging from ancient history through the Spanish conquest to contemporary life. Activities include such standards as making an Ojo de Dios and a pi?ata, but there are also directions for creating marzipan skulls for the Day of the Dead celebration, as well as recipes for salsa, tortillas, and hot chocolate. Maps show the present-day Mexican states, the location of pre-Hispanic cultures, and the areas annexed to the United States. Also included are a list of Spanish words and phrases with phonetic pronunciation, a Spanish game, an explanation of the Maya numbering system, and sidebars giving brief biographical information about famous Mexicans from Emperor Moctezuma II to Carlos Fuentes. Reproductions, drawings, and lively cartoons of children doing the activities appear throughout. Yvonne Y. Merrill's Hands-on Latin America (Kits, 1997) has some of the same projects as well as cultural information; however, since it covers a larger area, there is less information on Mexico. This is also true of Judith H. Corwin's Latin American and Caribbean Crafts (Watts, 1992), which contains mostly projects without cultural information. Florence Temko's Traditional Crafts from Mexico and Central America (Lerner, 1996) is for younger children and has fewer crafts. This is an excellent starting point for students investigating this culture.
Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Finally, a book about Mexico of which Mexicans themselves would say '¡Bravo!'" -- ForeWord Magazine

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Pub (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593228
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593221
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 10 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Children's Books > History > Mexico
  • #24 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Mexico
  • #33 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Central & South America

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource for Teachers!, March 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

This book is great! I highly recommend it for teachers looking for resources to teach Mexico! It is suitable for 1st-5th grades (yes, it spans that many!) It's packed with information as well as hands-on activities your students can actively engage in and learn! Excellent!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Packed with Informatiaon, August 17, 2007

By 

B. Buddenhagen "nature & nurture" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

I bought this book because I teach Spanish to preschoolers and I'm always looking for more resources. It is best for older children, 1st-5th grades. I got it because I was interested in the information myself and figure the teacher can never be too well informed! It is like an encyclopedia on México. A bit of information on a variety of topics. It leaves me wanting to find out more!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book around for studying Mexico with elementary age students, May 22, 2008

By 

Cindy Brewer "Bookmama" (Charlotte NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

After looking at many books to get ideas and information for teaching a week-long study on Mexico to elementary age students, I found this to be the very best one around. It is practical and gives great, kid-focused information on Mexican history, language, families, food, music, crafts, religion and more. A real treasure! Cindy in Charlotte NC