Mexican American Experience in Kansas
Traveling Resource Trunk - available through May 2012
Grades four through six
This trunk is an exploration of a bi-cultural community - the Mexican American community in Kansas. Through photos, objects, maps, documents, and oral histories this trunk examines the concept of culture, the Mexican heritage of Mexican Americans, immigration, societal relations, and ways Mexican culture and traditions are passed along to new generations of Kansans.
The twenty-two lessons in the teaching manual provide fourth through sixth grade teachers a wide variety of teaching materials to choose from. The concept of being bi-cultural is introduced in the 'Experiencing Culture' section. The 'Mexican Roots' section introduces the heritage of Mexico with lessons that range from exploring the Maya using math to creating a personal Aztec calendar to reading a book. Mapping international land claims to Kansas and using primary sources to research immigration are some of the lessons in the 'Immigration' section. Primary sources are used to explore discrimination and stereotyping in the 'Societal Relations' section of of the manual. Food, language, and celebratory traditions can be found in 'The Heritage Continues.'
The items in this trunk make it a great program addition in non-classroom settings. Youth groups find it useful in meeting badge or project requirements. The objects and photos bring additional meaning to programs offered by libraries, museums and many other organizations.
What borrowers of this trunk are saying:
"Ridgeview Elementary School, in Olathe has many "sub-groups" of Hispanic, ELL, Title I, and families living in poverty. The kids felt proud learning about the early immigration from Mexico. It also gave them the rare opportunity to share some prior knowledge with other students in the class. Thanks for making this special hands-on type of learning available."
Jennifer Cutler
Ideas for using this trunk with other ages and youth groups.
Kansas Curricular Standards Connections
Contents of Trunk
Trunk Manual
Trunk Specifications
Weight: 60 lbs.
Dimensions: 31" x 22" x 9"
Insure for $500 when shipping
