Cinco de Mayo is coming soon. 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!

Que Felicidad!

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