hola!
The first day of our class begins tomorrow. We will begin with introductions and a general overview of the class. Be ready to start making a pinata.
Hasta manana! Mrs. siqueiros
Day One
Today, we learned the names of some Spanish games, toys, and objects at our "work table ." We played a game of Loteria which is played similarly to Bingo. We learned the legend about the eagle found in the center of the Mexican flag (see if your child can tell you about it). We made folders for our journals and handouts and decorated them with the Mexican flag. We also started work on our pinatas. Please remember the following things:
1. We will do a lot of messy things during this class. Please have your child dress accordingly or bring a paint shirt.
2. Project Seek's "Strike It Rich" class sells food for snack everyday. Prices start at $.25 and go up to a dollar. Your child may also bring a snack if s/he prefers.
Tomorrow, we will begin learning about the Huichol Indians and do two craft projects that the Huichols still do to this day. We will also continue work on our pinatas--we still have a long way to go!
Today, we learned the names of some Spanish games, toys, and objects at our "work table ." We played a game of Loteria which is played similarly to Bingo. We learned the legend about the eagle found in the center of the Mexican flag (see if your child can tell you about it). We made folders for our journals and handouts and decorated them with the Mexican flag. We also started work on our pinatas. Please remember the following things:
1. We will do a lot of messy things during this class. Please have your child dress accordingly or bring a paint shirt.
2. Project Seek's "Strike It Rich" class sells food for snack everyday. Prices start at $.25 and go up to a dollar. Your child may also bring a snack if s/he prefers.
Tomorrow, we will begin learning about the Huichol Indians and do two craft projects that the Huichols still do to this day. We will also continue work on our pinatas--we still have a long way to go!
Day Two
Today we watched a short video clip about the Huichol Indians and learned that they are descendants of the Aztecs, a powerful group that we will learn more about next week. We learned that the crafts they create and sell today are an adaptation of their connection to the universe. We saw that their crafts involve colorful beadwork and yarn drawings called molas. We also found out that the art of making Ojos de Dios (God's eyes), came from them. See if your child can tell you how and why the Huichol father of a new baby begins the "Eye." They should also be able to tell you what it means when the color of the yarn changes. On Monday, we will complete one more project representing Huichol art and begin learning about the amazing Mayas. Until then, enjoy your weekend!
Today we watched a short video clip about the Huichol Indians and learned that they are descendants of the Aztecs, a powerful group that we will learn more about next week. We learned that the crafts they create and sell today are an adaptation of their connection to the universe. We saw that their crafts involve colorful beadwork and yarn drawings called molas. We also found out that the art of making Ojos de Dios (God's eyes), came from them. See if your child can tell you how and why the Huichol father of a new baby begins the "Eye." They should also be able to tell you what it means when the color of the yarn changes. On Monday, we will complete one more project representing Huichol art and begin learning about the amazing Mayas. Until then, enjoy your weekend!
Day Three and Four
Monday: We made our final Huichol Indian project, which was a beaded mask. The Maya Indians were introduced with the legend, "People of Corn." We then proceeded to learn about Maya math, which is based on 20. Place value is achieved by moving up rather than across. We painted our looms for backstrap weaving and began preparing paper for our codices (this is the name for Aztec and Maya books).
Tuesday: We strung our looms in preparation for backstrap weaving. Next, we learned about the ancient art of dyeing cloth red through the use of cochineal bugs. We spent some time at the "work table," which has a selection of toys and items from Mexico. We also reviewed Maya math. Hopefully, we will be able to begin weaving tomorrow.
Please be aware of the upcoming event:
Our field trip will take place this coming Thursday. Your child should have brought home a notice about this today. We will go to El Burrito Mercado in West St. Paul. There, your child will participate in a scavenger hunt for Mexican items that we have discussed in class. We will also shop for items to be used for our cooking days. We will eat lunch at their restaurant at a discounted price of $5.75 (choice of taco, burrito, or quesadilla with a side of rice and beans). We will arrive back in North Branch at 2:30. Their market place has a selection of Mexican toys, candies, and decorations; your child may bring extra money if s/he is interested in buying something. If your child has a Project Seek t-shirt from this year or any other, it is suggested that s/he wear it for the field trip.
Monday: We made our final Huichol Indian project, which was a beaded mask. The Maya Indians were introduced with the legend, "People of Corn." We then proceeded to learn about Maya math, which is based on 20. Place value is achieved by moving up rather than across. We painted our looms for backstrap weaving and began preparing paper for our codices (this is the name for Aztec and Maya books).
Tuesday: We strung our looms in preparation for backstrap weaving. Next, we learned about the ancient art of dyeing cloth red through the use of cochineal bugs. We spent some time at the "work table," which has a selection of toys and items from Mexico. We also reviewed Maya math. Hopefully, we will be able to begin weaving tomorrow.
Please be aware of the upcoming event:
Our field trip will take place this coming Thursday. Your child should have brought home a notice about this today. We will go to El Burrito Mercado in West St. Paul. There, your child will participate in a scavenger hunt for Mexican items that we have discussed in class. We will also shop for items to be used for our cooking days. We will eat lunch at their restaurant at a discounted price of $5.75 (choice of taco, burrito, or quesadilla with a side of rice and beans). We will arrive back in North Branch at 2:30. Their market place has a selection of Mexican toys, candies, and decorations; your child may bring extra money if s/he is interested in buying something. If your child has a Project Seek t-shirt from this year or any other, it is suggested that s/he wear it for the field trip.
Day 5
Busy day! Today we began with a few video clips about the ancient tradition of Maya weaving. We learned that the backstrap looms are portable so the weaving can be done almost anywhere. We saw that symbols for everything from butterflies to volcanoes can be woven into the cloth. We also went to the computer lab, where they each practiced maya math. If you have a chance, let your child show you their skills at the following website: maya.nmai.si.edu/maya-sun/maya-math-game (or if you would rather, typing in maya math should bring the website up). When we returned to the room, we did our backstrap weavings and also began our Maya rollout vases using real Mexican terra cotta clay. We will discuss how they were used by the Maya when they are dry enough to paint.
I mistakenly gave the children the impression that we were meeting at the high school for baking on Monday. I have done this in the past with classes that have not been bussed in. It will not work for Project Seek! Your child should arrive at the middle school the same way as usual and we will walk over. Class will end at 12:00 as usual.
Once again, a brief reminder about tomorrow's field trip: We will leave immediately after taking attendance and a bathroom break. We will return by 2:30. Please remember the cost of the field trip is $10.00 with an additional $5.75 for lunch at the Burrito Mercado restaurant. A Project Seek t=shirt to identify us a group would be a good idea. The field trip should be a lot of fun, as well as being informative.
Busy day! Today we began with a few video clips about the ancient tradition of Maya weaving. We learned that the backstrap looms are portable so the weaving can be done almost anywhere. We saw that symbols for everything from butterflies to volcanoes can be woven into the cloth. We also went to the computer lab, where they each practiced maya math. If you have a chance, let your child show you their skills at the following website: maya.nmai.si.edu/maya-sun/maya-math-game (or if you would rather, typing in maya math should bring the website up). When we returned to the room, we did our backstrap weavings and also began our Maya rollout vases using real Mexican terra cotta clay. We will discuss how they were used by the Maya when they are dry enough to paint.
I mistakenly gave the children the impression that we were meeting at the high school for baking on Monday. I have done this in the past with classes that have not been bussed in. It will not work for Project Seek! Your child should arrive at the middle school the same way as usual and we will walk over. Class will end at 12:00 as usual.
Once again, a brief reminder about tomorrow's field trip: We will leave immediately after taking attendance and a bathroom break. We will return by 2:30. Please remember the cost of the field trip is $10.00 with an additional $5.75 for lunch at the Burrito Mercado restaurant. A Project Seek t=shirt to identify us a group would be a good idea. The field trip should be a lot of fun, as well as being informative.
Day 6
Today I am so grateful for seven children who were on their very best behavior on our field trip. In spite of rain and a teacher who managed to leave the camera on the bus, they completed their scavenger hunt, said a lot of Spanish words, rolled their Rs, and showed excellent manners at the Mexican restaurant. I can only hope that they had as much fun as I did! When we returned, we each had a "Manita de la Suerte" sucker that provides you with both sugar and a fortune. Tomorrow we will use some of the supplies that we purchased as we make our tamales and sample some of the Mexican sodas that we bought.
Today I am so grateful for seven children who were on their very best behavior on our field trip. In spite of rain and a teacher who managed to leave the camera on the bus, they completed their scavenger hunt, said a lot of Spanish words, rolled their Rs, and showed excellent manners at the Mexican restaurant. I can only hope that they had as much fun as I did! When we returned, we each had a "Manita de la Suerte" sucker that provides you with both sugar and a fortune. Tomorrow we will use some of the supplies that we purchased as we make our tamales and sample some of the Mexican sodas that we bought.
Day 7 and 8
On day 7, we started learning about Mexican foods and cooking. First, we started our "tamalada." This is a tamale making party, and each participant has at least one designated job. While the tamales were steaming, each student had the opportunity to grind corn using a metate and mano, which is a grinding utensil made of basalt stone that was used by both the Maya and the Aztecs. Most of the ingredients we used were items that we had purchased at El Burrito Mercado on field trip: corn husks, powdered lime, dried corn, and masa harina (corn flour).
On day 8, we walked to the high school to use the kitchen facilities for our baking day. We baked pan dulce (sweet bread), which we will eat with Mexican hot chocolate tomorrow. Your child has the recipes for both the tamales and the pan dulce.
On day 7, we started learning about Mexican foods and cooking. First, we started our "tamalada." This is a tamale making party, and each participant has at least one designated job. While the tamales were steaming, each student had the opportunity to grind corn using a metate and mano, which is a grinding utensil made of basalt stone that was used by both the Maya and the Aztecs. Most of the ingredients we used were items that we had purchased at El Burrito Mercado on field trip: corn husks, powdered lime, dried corn, and masa harina (corn flour).
On day 8, we walked to the high school to use the kitchen facilities for our baking day. We baked pan dulce (sweet bread), which we will eat with Mexican hot chocolate tomorrow. Your child has the recipes for both the tamales and the pan dulce.
Day 9
Today we talked about the tradition of the baker in the small towns of Mexico. This was considered a very honorable job. The students learned that the baker would rise very early to bake pan dulce (sweet bread) to sell in the town. Once the pan dulce was baked, he would walk or ride a bike through town, balancing a basket on his head. We also read a legend explaining how the Mexican people first received chocolate to use as a drink that, at the time, was only for rulers. We sang a simple song about hot chocolate and beat our real Mexican chocolate, purchased on our field trip at El Burrito Mercado, with a wooden stirrer called a molinillo. The pan dulce that we made yesterday was delicious! Our introduction to the Aztecs involved the following: a comparison of their number system with that of the Maya; a look at their glyphs and the 20 day names in the 260 day calendar of 13 months (the Aztec also had a 365 day calendar). If you have a chance, look for the Aztec day signs on this website: http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/flash/mexkids.html. We tried this out in the computer lab today.
Please note: It would be fun to teach your child about cascarones. For these, we would need a hollow eggshell. I demonstrated to the children how to do this when we made our pan dulce. If you carefully puncture each end of the egg, it is possible to remove the contents by shaking or blowing on one end. The openings can be as large as a dime.
Open House! Open House will take place this Thursday from 5:00--7:00. This is such a great time for your child to show all of his/her projects, and also to have helping hands to carry them home! Hope to see you then!
Today we talked about the tradition of the baker in the small towns of Mexico. This was considered a very honorable job. The students learned that the baker would rise very early to bake pan dulce (sweet bread) to sell in the town. Once the pan dulce was baked, he would walk or ride a bike through town, balancing a basket on his head. We also read a legend explaining how the Mexican people first received chocolate to use as a drink that, at the time, was only for rulers. We sang a simple song about hot chocolate and beat our real Mexican chocolate, purchased on our field trip at El Burrito Mercado, with a wooden stirrer called a molinillo. The pan dulce that we made yesterday was delicious! Our introduction to the Aztecs involved the following: a comparison of their number system with that of the Maya; a look at their glyphs and the 20 day names in the 260 day calendar of 13 months (the Aztec also had a 365 day calendar). If you have a chance, look for the Aztec day signs on this website: http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/flash/mexkids.html. We tried this out in the computer lab today.
Please note: It would be fun to teach your child about cascarones. For these, we would need a hollow eggshell. I demonstrated to the children how to do this when we made our pan dulce. If you carefully puncture each end of the egg, it is possible to remove the contents by shaking or blowing on one end. The openings can be as large as a dime.
Open House! Open House will take place this Thursday from 5:00--7:00. This is such a great time for your child to show all of his/her projects, and also to have helping hands to carry them home! Hope to see you then!
Day 10
Today we talked about the Days of the Dead (el dia de los muertos) that are celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd every year. We saw two video clips about its celebration: one was a traditional honoring of the dead in a small village that is very much tied to the arrival of the Monarch butterflies; the other showed a celebration in Oaxaca with parades and fireworks. We saw various objects that were created for the holiday that are meant to convey the idea that death is not to be feared. We began masks. We ended our morning with a play presented by the Shakespeare--superior acting and lots of fun!
Friendly reminder: Open House will take place from 5:00 to a7:00 tomorrow. Hope to see you then!
Today we talked about the Days of the Dead (el dia de los muertos) that are celebrated in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd every year. We saw two video clips about its celebration: one was a traditional honoring of the dead in a small village that is very much tied to the arrival of the Monarch butterflies; the other showed a celebration in Oaxaca with parades and fireworks. We saw various objects that were created for the holiday that are meant to convey the idea that death is not to be feared. We began masks. We ended our morning with a play presented by the Shakespeare--superior acting and lots of fun!
Friendly reminder: Open House will take place from 5:00 to a7:00 tomorrow. Hope to see you then!
Day 11 and 12
It was so nice to see all of you at Open House last night. Your children are amazing--I have so enjoyed having them in my class for the past 12 days. We prepared for Open House on Day 11 and discussed Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 15 and 16. On our last day, we discussed the origins of el cinco de mayo, and las Posadas (the traditional 8-day celebration of Christmas). We then proceeded on to the highlight of the day--the breaking of the pinata! Upon our return to the room, we had one last craft project, which was the making of cascarones, which are used during Easter. This is what we needed our blown out eggs for; they are stuffed with confetti and covered with craft tissue. Then the fun begins! They are meant to be broken over the head of some unsuspecting person. Beware! Again, I so enjoyed working with your child. I hope that the class was fun and full of learning. Enjoy your summer! Mrs. Siqueiros
It was so nice to see all of you at Open House last night. Your children are amazing--I have so enjoyed having them in my class for the past 12 days. We prepared for Open House on Day 11 and discussed Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 15 and 16. On our last day, we discussed the origins of el cinco de mayo, and las Posadas (the traditional 8-day celebration of Christmas). We then proceeded on to the highlight of the day--the breaking of the pinata! Upon our return to the room, we had one last craft project, which was the making of cascarones, which are used during Easter. This is what we needed our blown out eggs for; they are stuffed with confetti and covered with craft tissue. Then the fun begins! They are meant to be broken over the head of some unsuspecting person. Beware! Again, I so enjoyed working with your child. I hope that the class was fun and full of learning. Enjoy your summer! Mrs. Siqueiros