Mexico & Central America: A Fiesta of Cultures, Crafts, and Activities for Ages 8-12 [Paperback]

Mary C. Turck (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

This multicultural activity book celebrates the myriad cultures of Mexico and Central America and their shared ancient Aztec and Mayan roots. For each country, a brief introduction is provided that includes illustrated maps and facts about population and geography. More than 40 projects and three dramatic play scripts explore the interconnectedness of these countries and help children experience aspects of daily life throughout the region including school, work, home, art and poetry, food and agriculture, and special holidays. Activities include embroidering Mayan designs, painting in the Salvadoran style, creating an ofrenda for the Day of the Dead, crafting political puppets, cooking chocobananas, and making piñatas. Engaging sidebars throughout the book provide children with an introduction to the Spanish language. Also included are tips for teachers who want to use the activities in the classroom, complete with more specific age ranges and suggested modifications.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7–Beginning with a historical overview of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations, this book provides a wealth of information about the Latino cultures originating in Mexico and Central America. Mayan math and art designs, floating chinampa gardens, language, traditions, and the calendar of the Aztecs precede a quick summary of facts about each country and a description of culture (art, holidays, schools, and games) by geographic location–the mountains, Atlantic coast, and borderlands. Thirty-five activities, from short plays to art projects, allow children to explore bits of everyday life, but so many activities in separate boxes often interrupt the narrative, forcing readers to turn pages to look for the next sentence in the continuing text. Age-appropriate art and cooking activities reveal the region's diversity, but the book also includes discussion of the dangers inherent in illegal border crossings and the existence of sweatshops amid a discussion of employment and needs of Mexico's citizens. Information about unions, the creation of political puppets, a play about striking workers, a listing of Web sites that support union ideals, and an emphasis on undocumented Latino immigrants to the U.S. are placed in chapters entitled "Going to School," "Art and Poetry," "Daily Grind," and "La Frontera: Borderlands." As a teacher resource, this book includes unique and entertaining activities; however, the political nature of some topics indicates an audience of older students not included in the front-cover advisory. An additional purchase.–Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. This hands-on introduction to the eight countries of Central America has plenty to offer: tidbits of historical and geographic fact, easy crafts projects, simple recipes, and glimpses of daily life. The author introduces the Garifuna, Miskito, and other Central American minority groups; talks about yummy ethnic dishes such as fried plantains (one of the required ingredients is a rubber hammer!) and "chocobananas"; suggests approaches to creating a mural (why think small?); takes readers inside a (fictional) maquila (sweatshop); and provides scripts for several short plays. She caps all this with lists of stories and resources related to each topical chapter, and standards-linked suggestions for teachers. Though in some chapters the main narrative and the side activities run together confusingly, children who catch Turck's infectious enthusiasm will come away with a wealth of insight into Central America's diverse cultures, history, and issues. Finished art not seen. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556525257
• ISBN-13: 978-1556525254
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Central & South America

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