- Elementary students will be familiar with several Mexican objects you can use for party decorations.Bluemoon Stock/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
As a celebration of Mexico's victory over the French army in 1862, Cinco de Mayo has slowly become a celebration of Mexican-American culture. You can bring this cultural holiday into your classroom by making a Cinco de Mayo party for your elementary students. - Students can make Mexican flags as decorations to hang on the walls using large pillowcases or pieces of posterboard and other art supplies. They can also hang sombreros on the wall, decorated with string and puffy paint. They can lay out red, white and green tablecloths across a row of desks to look like the Mexican flag, and some of them might want to get together to create a large banner that says "Welcome to Mexico!" on it. Don't forget a pinata or two, as well as a bit of Mexican music in the background. The kids also can be encouraged to dress in Mexican clothing. Make sure to give out pictures of people in traditional Mexican garb, as well as the costumes traditionally worn on Cinco de Mayo, as models for how they should dress at the Cinco de Mayo party.
- Many kids are unfamiliar with the large variety of Mexican foods, but you can use this party to introduce them to interesting ones that they might enjoy. Students may enjoy a platter of tortilla chips with various types of salsa, as well as black bean dip, guacamole and nacho cheese dip. You also can make quesadillas, cut into wedges, and served like small finger sandwiches. Another kid-friendly food for a Cinco de Mayo party is Mexican pizza, which is essentially pizza made with a tortilla rather than with pizza dough. Tone down some of the naturally spicy foods, and make sure to put out plenty of drinks.
- There are no real traditional activities for a Cinco de Mayo party, but you can make up a few of your own. Let kids play Mexican charades, using words related to Mexico, such as "sombrero," "cactus," "maize" and "chihuahua." Students may enjoy some traditional Mexican dancing, possibly with some maracas that they have made themselves. (They can easily make these maracas by gluing together two foam cups with raw beans inside). You can help them compare and contrast Mexico and the United States, and have any students with Mexican ancestry talk about the various ways in which they celebrate their culture.
