Cinco de mayo cultural activity
Grade Level(s): 9,10,11,12
Subject(s): Spanish I
Lesson Title: Cinco de mayo
Topic(s): Cinco de mayo and celebration vocabularySkills Targeted: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Culture
Duration: At least two class periods of 50 minutes
Description: In this lesson, students will be exposed to Cinco de Mayo and what it is. Students commonly mistake Cinco de mayo as Mexico’s independence day, but it is not. Students will learn the background of Cinco de mayo, where its celebrated and how, and they will make piñata.
Materials
1. “Cinco de mayo” clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srYi5eUZ1xI) or you can use your own since numerous clips are available.
2. “How to make a piñata” guide (http://www.chevroncars.com/learn/fun-games/how-to-make-pinata) or you can use your own.
3. “How to make a piñata” clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srYi5eUZ1xI) or you can use your own.
4. Supplies for making piñatas, candy, and bats
FLL Standards
Standard 1.1 Interpersonal Communication
Standard 1.2 Interpretive Communication
Standard 1.3 Presentational Communication
Standard 2.1 Cultural Practice & Perspective
Standard 2.2 Cultural Products & Perspective
Standard 3.2 Culture Comparison
Illinois Learning Standards
28.A.1.a – recognize basic language patterns
28.A.1.b – respond to simple commands given in the target language
28.B.1.a – respond to and ask simple questions with prompts
28.B.1.b – imitate pronunciation
29.D.1 – recognize celebrations
Objectives:
After given information about Cinco de mayo, the high school Spanish I students will write a half-page letter telling a friend about the celebration in as much of the target language as possible with grammar accuracy of 80%.
Procedure:
Introduction Day Day 1
The teacher will greet the students and discuss the day’s lesson in the target language. The teacher will ask the student’s what they know about Cinco de mayo. (5 minutes)
Main Activity Day 1
1. Students will watch a short clip about cinco de mayo from youtube.com. The teacher will have students compare what they thought they knew versus what they just learned. The teacher will fill in on any information they want the students to know that may not have been in the video clip. (10 minutes)
2. The teacher will pass out the “how to make a piñata” guide. Students will work in groups to make a piñata. The teacher will have students read the directions and then watch the “How to make a piñata” video. (10 minutes)
3. Students will begin to make their piñatas. (25 minutes)
Closure Day 1:
The teacher will ask if the students learned any new words and what the new vocabulary means in English. Any last minute questions will be answered. (3 minutes)
Introduction Day Day 2
The teacher will greet the students and discuss the day’s lesson in the target language. The teacher review what the student’s remember about Cinco de mayo. (5 minutes)
Main Activity Day 2
1. Students will finish their piñatas. (15 minutes)
2. While students are waiting for their piñatas to dry, they will show their understanidng of cinco de mayo, students will write a half-page paragraph addressed to a friend that doesn’t know about cinco de mayo. The letter should be in as much of the target language as possible. (20 minutes)
3. Students will fill their piñatas with candy, hang them up in the classroom or outside, and celebrate Cinco de mayo. (10 mintutes)
Closure Day 2:
The teacher will ask if the students learned any new words and what the new vocabulary means in English. Any last minute questions will be answered. (2 minutes)
Follow Up Lessons / Activities
Project: Students will create a display that shows what Cinco de mayo is and how it is celebrated.
Assessment
For learning – The teacher will walk around while the students are working on their letters and offer scaffolding and positive feedback.
Of learning – The letter to a friend will be collected and checked for grammar and spelling but graded for accuracy of information.
