MEXICOby

Ramona Atkins and Jessica Forgety

ESLP 4100 Inquiry Research

Culture Selection:

Off We Go to Mexico! is a children’s book that briefly explores places that might be interesting to visit in Mexico. The pages are full of brightly colored pictures showcasing the traditions and history. At the end of the book is a brief history of Mexico, a map of Mexico, a facts page of Mexico today, and several Spanish phrases with English translations.

Krebs, Laurie. (2006). Off We Go to Mexico! An Adventure in the Sun. Cambridge, MA. Barefoot Books, Inc.

Culture: Mexico’s culture reflects the traditional past and is a combination of native tribe, Spanish, German, and French influences. We chose to learn more about Mexico’s present government and education system. We also researched Mexico’s transportation system, popular fiestas, and ancient pyramids.

Inform knowledge: Our research gave us deeper insight into what Mexican culture was like in the past and what it is today. We are now more informed about Mexico and can see how this country is making progress in modern technology, education, and efficient transportation. We gained knowledge on how a republic government controls most of the decisions in education and how it still favors the wealthy. We learned about the ancient preservation of the pyramids and how South America was first populated. It helped us to see the importance of culture and heritage and how it affects the choices we make today and what we will do tomorrow.

Gaining Knowledge of Mexico

Why we want to learn about Mexican culture . . .

We want to learn about Mexico’s culture because we are a part of a global society. Within our region of the United States, the Hispanic population is growing rapidly. We must know the history, and customs of our potential students in order to be effective teachers.

Click the picture above to see a video on places you might see if you were to visit Mexico.

What is the main means of transportation for the majority of Mexicans?

What do I want to know

about Mexico?

What is the average size of a Mexican family?

What is a Mexican Fiesta?Are there

still pyramids in Mexico?

Is Mexico’s government similar to the United States government?

Does Mexico require all children to attend school?

Research Topics

TransportationSchoolFamilyGovernmentFiestasPyramids

GOVERNMENT

TRANSPORTATI

ON

FAMILY

PYRAMIDS

FIESTA

SCHOOL

HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT MEXICO?

INTERNET

ENCYCLOPEDIA

MAGAZINEBOOKS

INTERVIEW TRAVELER

I CAN RESEARCH MEXICO BY...

Native W

eb

CultureGrams

Reading about its culture in Off We Go to Mexico! An Adventure in the Sun by Laurie Krebs.

Searching onlin

e

Exploring an Encyclopedia like

This is what I discovered about Mexico:

?

Does Mexico require all children to attend school?

Does Mexico require all children to attend school?

Yes. Compulsory Basic education is required for grades 1 – 9 or for the ages 6 -15. The government decides on the entire curriculum. Only 37% of the children will graduate high school. All children must wear a school uniform. (Krebs, 2006)

What is the main means of transportation for the majority of Mexicans?

The Metro subway transports over 8 million passengers daily. The microbus or minibus transports people from the secondary roads to the Metro. Very few own their own cars. (Krebs, 2006)

Is Mexico’s government similar to the United States government?

Mexican families typically include three children or more. A household will often include aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents. Mexican people hold their family members of high importance and take respect and responsibility for them seriously. (Brigam Young University, 2010)

What is the average size of a Mexican family?

What is Mexico’s Government like?

Mexico is a federal republic. It has 31 states and one federal district. They have a president that leads the country. He can only lead one six-year term. Voting is considered a duty, but it is not enforced. (Brigam Young University, 2010)

This is what I discovered about Mexico: Mexican fiestas are festivals full of

dancing, music, and mariachi bands. Similar to a parade in the United States, dancers will stroll down the streets in full traditional Mexican bright colored dresses. There is plenty of good food. Three of the most popular celebrations or fiestas are Semana Santa, Guelaguetza, and Dia de la Independencia. (Krebs, 2006)

What is a Mexican fiesta?

Traditional Dance

Are there still pyramids in Mexico?

Yes, there are still pyramids in Mexico. The Aztecs and Mayans built the pyramids. The Aztec civilization was advanced. They had a government, business, and agriculture. Many of today’s Mexican citizens are decedents of the Aztecs. The pyramids were built as government centers and places of worship. There are many pyramids that you can visit if you go to Mexico. (Amanda Belzer)

This pyramid is called Palenque, and is Mayan. It is reminiscent of the structure of Asian pyramids.

http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/palenque.html

This pyramid is called El Castillo , which means castle in Spanish. It has 365 steps. It is Mayan, and the Mayan’s are credited for our modern calendar and time system.

http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/chichenitza.html

This pyramid is called Avenue of the Dead. It was created by the Toltec people.  It was one of the largest cities in the world. 

http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/teotihuacan.html

This is what I would still like to learn about Mexico:

•What kind of dancing would I find in Mexico?

•What languages do most Mexicans speak?

•What do people from Mexico prefer to be called?

•What kind of food does the typical family eat?

•What kind of economic disparity is there in Mexico?

Mexican Lexicons

Water el aqua

Food la comida

Friends los amigos

Music la musica

Sunshine la luz del sol

Flag la bandera

Home la casa

Thank you gracias

Please por favor

What is your name?Como te llamas?I don’t understand.No entiendo.

REFERENCES Amanda Belzer, K. C. (n.d.). Native

Webs. Retrieved 2010 8-Febuary from Welcome to The Pyramids of Mexico: http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/chichenitza.html

Brigam Young University. (2010). CultureGrams World Edition (Vol. 1). Provo, Utah, United States: ProQuest LLC.

Krebs, L. (2006). Off We Go to Mexico. Cambridge, MA, United States: Barefoot Books.

IMAGE REFERENCESAllison. Missionary. (n.d.) “ Education in Mexico.” Mexican school children. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 2, 2012 from: http://chief-cities.org/Culture_Education.html

Al Sidra Media LLC. Photographer. (2011). “Drug Cartel, Mexico.” Mexican government palace. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 3,2012 from: http://www.7days.ae/article/news/global/web-threat-mexican-cartel-29638

Belzer, Amanda. Publisher. (n.d.). “Palenque.” “Chichenitza.”.“Teotihuacan.” Pyramids. [images]. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2012 from: http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/palenque.html

http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/chichenitza.html http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/teotihuacan.html

Cash, Kerry. Photographer. (2007). “Mexican Bus Stop.” Bus stop. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 2, 2012 from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerrycash/525071508/

Dutta, Vishal. Photographer. (2009). “Minibus.” Mexican transportion. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 2, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39809462@N05/3719031793/

Khachatoorian, Travis. Blogger. (2007). “Mexican Family.” Mexican family generations. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 2,2012 from: http://tkhachatoorian.blogspot.com/2011/04/mexican-familygovernment-manifestation.html

Kane, Kristen. Travel Guide. (2012). “Mariachi at a Mexican Fiesta.” Mexican entertainers. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 3, 2012 from: http://gomexico.about.com/od/beachesandresorts/ig/Los-Cabos- Photos/Mexican-Fiesta-Mariachi.htm

Martinez, Zarela. Chef. (2012). “Fiestas and why Mexicans Love to Party.” Mexican paraders. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 3, 2012 from: http://www.zarela.com/2010/fiestas-and-why-mexicans-love-to-party/

Mexico map. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 3, 2101 from: http://www.pageinsider.com/map

“National Geographic.” (2007). [image]. Retrieved Feb. 4, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkfeelgrow/3588692609/

Ortiz, Laura. President and Artistic Director. (2005). “Jalisco.” Mexican dancers. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 3, 2012 from: http://www.quetzales.org/html/repertorie.html

Rafael. Author. (2010). “It’s Just a Simple Life.” Mexican welcome. [image]. Retrieved Feb. 2, 2012 from: http://rafaelsos.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/15-de-septiembre/