Viva Mexico

How It Works:  Viva Mexico is a cooperative project specifically designed to increase an awareness of multiculturalism through the use of the Internet. The major focus of this project is to teach students in grades three, four or five about Mexican culture using technology as its vehicle. It is interdisciplinary as it addresses standards in reading, writing, music, art, foreign language, and technology. The purpose of this project is the integration of these subjects in one theme. Students work collaboratively using project-based learning. Here they learn to work together as a team using decision-making and critical thinking skills. After their research is complete, they present their work to their peers and are judged by them using a rubric.

Standards: 
Language Arts
1. The student uses the reading process effectively. 2. The student uses the writing process effectively. 3. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world. 4. The student uses technology to create, revise, retrieve and verify information. 5. The student selects and uses appropriate technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of communication.

Art
The student understands the visual arts in relation to history and culture.

Foreign Language
1. The student engages in conversation, expresses feelings. The student understands and interprets written and spoken language on a variety of topics. 2. The student acquires information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures. 3. The student understands the relationship between the perspectives and products of the culture studied and uses this knowledge to recognize cultural practices. 

Music
1. The student sings, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. The student performs on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

Estimated Class Periods To Complete:  10 or more

Software Materials Used:  Students need to have access to the Internet. They need a word processing program such as Publisher, Microsoft Office, Word, or AppleWorks to copy and paste information, graphics, maps, graphs, etc. to their document. They need a printer and a scanner or digital camera for embedding information brought from other sources. A digital video camera is a must for iMovies. A presentation program such as iMovie, PowerPoint, Inspiration, or the like is needed to produce the final presentation.

Keywords:  Hispanic, Culture, Mexico, Mariachi, Flan, Frida Khalo, Music, Art, Multicultural,

Students:  This project is designed for third, fourth and fifth grade students.

Overall:  The most valuable feature of this project is that students are engrossed in learning a variety of skills while having fun creating, collaborating, and producing authentic projects. When students are involved in hands-on self-motivated activities, self-esteem is raised, consequently increasing student achievement. When learning is meaningful it becomes long lasting. Effective uses of new media include the integration of the latest technologies with the curriculum and replacing sometimes outdated and boring textbooks. The Internet has revolutionized learning to such a degree that through culturally-rich web sites students can learn about different cultures without actually being in that country, making learning exciting and fun.

Tips:  When selecting the groups of students, make sure that each group is heterogeneously comprised of academically challenged and advanced students. Survey the students and see if any are of Mexican descent and if so, invite them to share information known or acquired from their family. Ask Hispanic parents to make a flan for the class. Have the students compare and contrast them. Allow students to come up with their own ideas for the presentation. Acknowledge creativity and uniqueness. Invite parents, community members, and staff to see the presentations.

About the Teacher: Rosa Duarte is in her 26th year in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Holding a Master’s Degree in ESE, she specialized in autism. She was a Staffing Specialist in Region 4 and a District Support Teacher for the Autistic Program. She received her Educational Specialist in Computer Applications and in 1996, became the Technology Coordinator/Computer Teacher at Southside Elementary where she teaches the Academic Excellence Program as well as computers to K-5 students. As Webmaster, she publishes their Southside Express and has been awarded a Success Grant, the Citibank FamilyTech Grant and Disseminator Grant from The Education Fund, and AT&T Grants.

Subjects:  Foreign Language and Art

Grade Levels:  3 through 5

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