Judy Cox

Put on a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

You and your class or family can celebrate the fifth of May with a Mexican-style fiesta.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over the French in the Battle of Puebla, Mexico in 1862. The holiday has expanded from a regional celebration to a opportunity to honor Latino traditions in much the same way that St. Patrick's Day honors the Irish.

A great way to start your fiesta is with decorations. You can make great sombrero centerpieces out of paper plates and foam cups. The directions are on http:/​​/​​crafts.kaboose.com/​​mini-sombrero.html. Giant tissue paper flowers are also appropriate and fun to make. Use hot colors like pink, orange, red and yellow. Tissue paper can also be used to create cut paper banners.

Music makes any fiesta more fun. Search for contemporary Latino artists as well as traditional music. Children can play along with homemade maracas (fill two clear plastic cups with beads or beans and tape them together). You can find directions for The Mexican Hat Dance on the internet.

Mexican food is delicious. Foods mentioned in Cinco de Mouse-O! include familiar favorites such as burritos, tacos, tamales, chorizo, and flan, but an internet search will uncover recipes for more elaborate and authentic dishes. Salsa and guacamole are fun and easy for children to make as well.

Last of all--don't forget the pinata! You can make your own pinatas by inflating small balloons. Cover the balloons with squares of bright tissue paper dipped in either a thin flour and water mixture, or a thin white glue and water mixture. Let the pinata dry thoroughly. Cut a hole in the bottom and fill with candy. Reattach the cut piece with tape. Hang the pinatas from a clothesline. They make great decorations, or you can play the pinata game. The pinata game is a traditional party activity at Mexican fiestas.

Congratulations to the winners of TailsDrawing book giveaway!

Charlotte McNeary MO
Angela Carballo TX
Barbara Spencer TX

These teachers each won an autographed set of the first two books in The Tails of Frederick and Ishbu.

And congratulations to the Grand Prize winner:

Ryan Brown VA

Ryan has won an autographed set of books AND a set of globe keychains for his class!

I hope you and your students enjoy the adventures! Please drop me a note on my discussion page to let me know how your students liked the books.

Everyone--The book giveaway has been so much fun, that I plan to do others. Check this site often for more chances to win.