Regions of Mexico
Submitted by Nancy Schrank
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Standards:
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Unit Timeframe:
Two 50-minute periods
Unit Overview:
During the course of this unit, students will explore three major regions of Mexico: the border, the beach region, and colonial cities. As a means to ultimately understand what makes a country what it is, students will investigate the topics of geography, history, and economics / politics before concluding with a look at the richness of contemporary life in these distinct regions. They will learn about the impact that geographical features ultimately have on a people's degree of isolation, economic opportunity, and representation in the Mexican government. The devisiveness regarding the recent Presidential election will serve as an entry point to discuss the disillusionment of the poor and the underrepresented in Mexico.
Context:
This unit is the first indepth study of a Latin American country that these students have done. Mexico is a logical choice because of the geographical proximity, the high number of Mexican immigrants in the Twin Cities area, and students' level of contact with travel to Mexico.
This unit is relevant to student at Hudson Middle School because many students have vacationed in Mexico and most have the perception that Mexico is little more than a vacationland created for their diversion. While they are aware that the U.S. - Mexican border is a troubled one, they know little beyond this. Finally, they know even less about the interior of Mexico, an area that is full of colonial gems and an ecclectic mix of pre-Spanish cultures and European influence.
Coming into this Unit students know how to conjugate regular -AR verbs, the difference between SER and ESTAR, and how to use the expression "hay" to describe the world around them. They have learned the expression "me gusta(n)," but they have not practiced with it for a while. They are inexperienced with comparing two things in terms of what they have or what there is in each. They have just begun learning vocabulary regarding land features, as well as the names for the four cardinal directions.
Connections to other disciplines: Geography, History, Political Science, and Art (murals as education of the masses as well as a rallying call).
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Lesson 01: