6TH GRADE HAPPY-NINGS: A Journey Through Mexico

SSL - INTERMEDIATE C

“TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE IS TO LEARN A NEW SOUL”…. This is how SSL students began the school year. They were immersed in the history, origin, numbers and data related to the Spanish language. Students researched, learned, and reflected that many words from different languages have been adapted to the Spanish language. They learned about anglicismos,(which are words derived from English), galicismos (which are words derived from French), and words derived from Nahuatl. To enhance the learning process students created beautiful posters and orally presented this information to their classmates.
We read biographies of two important historical figures and their contributions to language. This exercise was to analyze the importance of Shakespeare and Cervantes.

Throughout the second unit, students understood the concept that people, through fiestas, legends, and traditions, reveal themselves as individuals and as a culture … and this is true for Mexico. Students learned about Mexican traditions and their national Fiestas such as El Grito.
We also researched the symbolism behind Mexico’s National Symbols such as The National Anthem, the flag and it’s shield. Emphasis was placed on learning about the legend on the Foundation of Tenochtitlan, Huitzilopochitl, the eagle, and the cactus. Students also researched and orally presented the National Symbols of the country of their choice.
Different time periods in Mexican History became alive through discussions on themes of freedom and liberty. For example, we saw the movie ANA FRANK’S DIARY which covers the theme of liberty and freedom.

Legends
Students narrated beautiful Legends in different forms:

Traditions
DAY OF THE DEAD IN MEXICO
After watching videos on how the Day of the Dead is celebrated in different states of the republic, students reflected on the importance of death to Mexicans and how Mexicans observe and celebrate death.

Of course, we cannot forget Halloween as our Anglo American tradition, so students wrote comparative essays on Halloween and Day of the Dead: Día de Muertos

In addition, students wrote letters to a friend to inform them about the Mexican tradition Day of the Dead.

After reading and answering a questionnaire on José Guadalupe Posada´s life, students enjoyed observing and coloring some of his famous drawings such as “La Catrina”.