On the Friday before Thanksgiving break, Middle School students visited a “Museum of Mexico” without ever leaving the Colorado Academy campus. The museum was created by students in the Grade 6 Core class of Liz Estacio in conjunction with their study of the novel Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz. Core combines the study of English and social studies.
The students brainstormed areas of interest and then narrowed the scope to focus on specific topics. They researched the topics with the objective of diving deep into one topic, rather than studying an entire country superficially. Some students worked on projects individually, and others worked in teams. All work was done in class in a solely student-centered setting.
The topics included:
- Foods of northern and southern Mexico
- The Conquistador invasion of the Aztec
- The ocean life off the coast of Baja California
- The ocelot, an indigenous species
- The pyramids of the Maya
- Quinceañeras
- Pelota perpechua, an indigenous Mexican sport
- Other ancient Mayan ball games
- Día de los Muertos
- Las Posadas, a religious observance that lasts 9 days
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