Cinco de Mayo Activities
This elementary school packet of Cinco de Mayo Activities is designed to help students learn about the traditions of Cinco de Mayo.
How to Teach Elementary School Students about Cinco de Mayo
Teaching Cinco de Mayo to elementary school students can be fun and interactive. Start with a lesson about the holiday's history, focusing on the Battle of Puebla and its significance. Then, introduce traditional Mexican culture and customs, such as music, dance, and food. Follow up with this packet to learn more about the holiday’s significance while having fun in the classroom!
Remember to emphasize the importance of respect and appreciation for other cultures.
Cinco de Mayo Activities in this Packet
This themed packet includes 4 fun Cinco de Mayo activities: Make Musical Instruments, Bean Math, Talking Tacos, and Fact Sheet Hat. It also includes extensions and a brief history of the holiday.
School or Home Learning
This packet is created for use both in the classroom and at home.
For parents to complete the Cinco de Mayo activities attached, they will need a few key supplies, a little patience, and a lot of creativity! Don’t forget to suggest they set aside time to enjoy a Mexican feast as a family. Allow all to help out in the kitchen while awesome festive tunes are played.
It is always nice to expose your students and their families to a new and interesting culture and traditions.
About the Author
This Cinco de Mayo activities packet is authored by Heather Aulisio (B.S., M.S., Ed.). Heather is a 5th-grade math and science teacher. She has been teaching in a public school setting for 19 years. Heather has previously taught 3rd grade (all subjects) for 13 years, 4th grade for one year (English-Language and Social Studies), and gifted support for 2 years in a K-12 setting. In addition to a B.S. in Elementary Education, Heather holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary and Professional Studies, in which she pursued a principal certificate.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
On May 5th, 1862, Mexico defeated France during the Franco-Mexican War at the Battle of Puebla. The holiday not only celebrates this victory, it honors Mexican culture and heritage, bringing awareness, and an open invitation for all to acknowledge and enjoy! This pack of Cinco de Mayo activities for elementary school students will help teach them about the holiday.
Although still observed in Puebla state, the holiday is more popular in the United States than Mexico, and has become a celebration of Mexican-American culture. It is sometimes mistaken by non-Mexicans for Mexico's independence day, which is September 16.
Extension Cinco de Mayo Activities
Use this list of fun Cinco de Mayo activities to further your celebration in the classroom after completing the activity packet.
1. Color Mexican flags
Drawing Mexican flags is a fun and engaging activity that introduces students to the national symbol of Mexico, deepening their understanding of Cinco de Mayo.
By coloring the flag, students learn about the importance of the flag's three colors and the emblem in the center. This activity can be complemented by a discussion about the flag’s meaning and its relevance to Mexican culture and history.
2. Learn to introduce yourself in Spanish
One fun extension activity for Cinco de Mayo is to teach your students to introduce themselves in Spanish. If your school has a Spanish teacher, ask them to come in and help the class with this activity. Alternatively, use an informative YouTube video.
3. Learn about famous and historic Mexican citizens
One effective way to teach your elementary school students about famous Mexicans for Cinco de Mayo could be by dedicating a lesson to prominent figures in Mexican history and culture.
You can introduce them to artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, explaining their contributions to the world of art and their influence on Mexican culture. You can also include historical figures like Benito Juárez, the first indigenous president of Mexico, and discuss their impact on the country.
This can be supplemented with engaging activities like creating art inspired by Frida Kahlo or, if your students are older, writing short essays on the lives of these individuals.
4. Learn the Jarabe Tapatío
The Jarabe Tapatío, also known as the Mexican Hat Dance, is the national dance of Mexico. It’s a fun and lively traditional Mexican dance that dates back to the 19th century.
The dance is full of energy and involves a fun game of passing a sombrero, which is a type of hat, between the dancers. The name "Jarabe" translates to syrup, which represents the sweetness of love, and "Tapatío" is a name for people from Guadalajara.
5. Read a book about Cinco de Mayo
Reading a picture book is an excellent way to teach elementary school students about Cinco de Mayo. Visual aids can facilitate understanding and engagement, particularly for younger students. Picture books can bring the story of the holiday to life in a way that's accessible and enjoyable for children.
For example, Marco's Cinco de Mayo by Lisa Bullard and Cinco De Mouse-O! by Judy Cox provide vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling that can help students better understand and appreciate the holiday's significance.
