There are many fantastic topics that can help make a fun and full Mexico Unit Study. Also, you’ll love these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies and my Meso-America Unit Study and Lapbook.
And I have a lot of topic ideas to get you started on your way and exciting activities to go along with it.
Besides ideas for fantastic activities to get your learner excited, and information on some subtopics for Mexico.
I also have a tutorial for a fun easy floral headband.
It’s like the style Frida Kahlo is known for that is also worn in celebrations and has become part of the traditional costume.
There is much to learn about this amazing country that is just south of the U.S. bordering California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
It is rich in culture and history that spans way back to the Mayans that began as early as 1500 BCE.
You can cover flora, fauna, history, geography, artists, special days, food, and more.
Additionally, you can explore present and ancient Mexico through hands-on activities and engaging books that open the culture of another land.
Books for Kids About Mexico
First, I like to use a living book or even picture book if I can to begin our unit study.
Then I add reference books to add to our learning.
10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To
Add some of these books to your home library about Mexico. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.
The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.
Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.
Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.
Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!
Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.
Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.
In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .
. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.
Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.
Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.
Mexico Unit Study
Geography Ideas About Mexico
One thing that is important to include in your unit study of Mexico is the geography of the country.
Mexico is a country with extreme landforms from high mountains to deep canyons located in the center to deserts in the north, and even thick rainforests in the south and east.
- Mexico is a country that is part of North America.
- The country’s name came from the Aztec word Mexica (mesh-EE-ca).
- Also, the ancient Maya’s and Aztecs lived in the country of Mexico.
- There are some great free printable maps on this page to color, print, labeled or to label.
- The Rio Grande River is the border between the United States and Mexico.
- Mount Popocatépetl is one of the highest volcanoes in Mexico.
Mexico is bordered on the north by a 2,000-mile stretch of the United States.
Guatemala and Belize are found on the southeast; the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea are on the east; the Pacific Ocean is on the south and west.
The climate varies greatly because there is a great distance from north to south.
Language Arts Ideas About Mexico
Next, here are some language art ideas.
- Learn this list of 20 Spanish words.
- Reading. Choose one or more of the books above. There are different levels and I have something for every age.
- Here are some vocabulary words which also explains some of the culture of Mexico.
- sombrero: a large, wide brimmed hat
- poncho: a blanket with a hole in the center for the head to go through
- serape: a blanket woven from colorful yarn
- fiesta: a party
- pinata: large container normally an animal shape filled with candy used at parties
- Most areas have a Mexican supermarket. Visit the store and have your child write down the names of foods from Mexico.
- Read a Mexican folktale and role play. Young children love this and especially dressing up and playing the part of one of the animals. For example, look at Senor Coyote and Rabbit.
Math Ideas About Mexico
Additionally, here are a few ideas for fun math.
- Explain that the currency in Mexico is pesos.
- Try to explain the value and then convert it to dollars.
- Play games about money and learn about money from Mexico and other countries on Math is Fun. Click on money. Play Make the Amount but first look at Currencies of the World to be familiar with the coins of Mexico.
Moreover, add some of these science ideas.
Science Ideas about Mexico
Besides learning about the rainforest, learn how chocolate is made.
- Look at my rainforest lapbook and unit study.
- Rainforest Amazon Activities for Kids
- Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity
Ancient Mayans- Of course if you are studying these ancient people you will want to dig into the pyramid of Chichen Itza.
Also, learn about the contributions the Mayans made – The Mayan Calendar, Filtration systems, rubber, chocolate, and medicines.
Here is a book recommendation that goes along with the unit as well as a fun LEGO build for the pyramid- Geronimo Stilton Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft).
LEGO is a fabulous manipulative to incorporate.
Monarch Butterflies- Monarchs travel up to an incredible 3,000 miles to the forests of central Mexico in a great migration to winter in the warmer climate.
This is a great science topic to include in your lesson on Mexico, learning about the Monarch specifically as well as the life cycle of a butterfly. Add this Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids to you quick study.
Music, Food, and Art of Mexico
Also, more topics to learn about are about the music, food, and art of Mexico.
First, La Cucaracha in Spanish phrase means “the cockroach” and it is a Mexican folk dance. This is fun to learn and do with a group like in a co-op or with other family members.
Mariachi music is performed by a band playing as they stroll and the Mexican Hat Dance is the national dance of Mexico.
Here is another fun video showing the Hat Dance. I love it because it’s quirky, but also your child can hear both the music and see the dance.
Too, the instructor gives tips for each age on how to vary the dance. So much fun to do at home or in a co-op.
Too, corn, chilies and chocolate come originally from Mexico.
Tacos- Especially Tacos el Pastor- or “ Shepherd Style” tacos that are made with seasoned and marinated pork. They are very different from the typical fast food or Tex Mex style restaurant tacos that you have probably had.
In addition, learn about tamales and how to make tortillas.
Frida Kahlo- One of the most celebrated Mexican artists is Frida Kahlo. She was a painter who was known for portraits, especially self-portraits in a naive folk art style. She is also identifiable with her large colorful floral headbands like the one below.
More Unit Study Ideas
- Free Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas
- South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
- Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
- France Unit Study and Make Easy French Bread
- US Westward Expansion Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
Finally, look how to make this fun easy Mexican floral headband.
Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband
You will need:
- A wide headband
- Variety of silk flowers
- Hot glue
To keep your cost low try to find an inexpensive variety of flowers on a single stem, Dollar Tree is a great resource for this.
You might also find some at a thrift store or in your own supply stash.
Pull the flowers themselves off the stem or cut them off close to the underside of the flower if they are attached.
Lay your headband flat and arrange the flowers loosely around the band to get an idea of how you would like to place them.
Hot glue a few pieces of greenery to the headband.
Now you can begin hot gluing the flowers around the headband. I like to start with one large flower and put it in place.
Then I work my way down to smaller ones, finally filling in with the smallest ones. Be sure to make it full on either side.
You will want to hold each flower in place until the glue sets firmly.
Once the glue has set your headband is ready to wear.
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