Oaxaca People & Ethnic Groups Lesson

Oaxaca Culture
Day of the Dead Celebration

Flora and Fauna

Turtles

Create a Travel Brochure

Oaxaca People and Ethnic Groups

Objectives:

To learn about the different ethnic groups that inhabit the state of Oaxaca.
To learn about the different bonds that hold the groups together.
To learn how the terrain affects the different cultures.

Suggested Resources/Materials:

Paper and pencil
Detailed maps of Oaxaca showing its physical characteristics
Watercolors or tempera paints
Colored markers
Chart or heavy duty paper
Web sites (See Links below)

The lesson:

Before beginning the study of the people and ethnic groups of Oaxaca, have the students complete a KWHL Chart. K= What Do We Know; W= What Do We Want To Know; H= How Do We Find Out; L= What We Learned). This activity can be done as en entire class or in small groups. If done in small groups, the groups will share their charts with the class as a whole.

questions:

What are the names of the different ethnic groups that inhabit the state of Oaxaca?
How many different languages do they speak?
How does the terrain of the state affect how the people live?
What is the largest ethnic group in Oaxaca? The second largest?
What types of bonds hold the different groups together?

suggested activities:

Create a map showing where the predominant concentrations are of each ethnic group and the physical characteristics of the countryside that divide them.
Make a list of the types of bonds that your community shares.
Pick an ethnic group and research them on the Internet. Create a mural showing interesting aspects of the group (for example, show people dressed in traditional clothing, if they are farmers show them at work, if they make pottery, show the types of pots, etc.)
Use the recipes shown on this website and create traditional foods. If possible, use traditional methods. (Recipes)
Research the ancient city of Monte Alban and choose a building to recreate in paper mache.

assessment:

In addition to paper and pencil tests, teachers could use individual or small group projects, oral reports, mental maps or structured overviews for assessment.

Vocabulary Search (search box)

Oaxaca web site links