Understanding Cinco de Mayo: More Than Just Avocados and Guacamole
I was doing a little research this week on the history of Cinco de Mayo, and I learned a few things …
The first “gasp” worthy factoid is that according to the California Avocado Commission (who knew we had that?) Americans will consume around 80 million pounds of avocados on May 5th. 🥑
If you still need to buy your avocadoes, better RUN (don’t walk) to your favorite grocery store and load up your cart. They’ll need a few days to get ripe! Or be like me and buy the little tub of guac and hide it in the back of the fridge so your kids don’t see it in there and eat it when your back is turned! 😅 Just me?!
The second big “aha” was that Cinco de Mayo is more of a US celebration than a celebration in Mexico.
Apparently, we can attribute that in part to the California Avocado Commission pushing all those avocadoes on unsuspecting Americans, and a large bit falls on the shoulders of the big tequila producers since they estimate people in the US to consume 126 million liters on Cinco de Mayo each year. 😂
I’m not all about the guac and spirits, though. I was looking for a way to represent more of the culture of the Mexican-American students in my class and grade level with activities that connected to their history. Sometimes the best way to do that is to dig right in and do some research.
Many of your Mexican-American students do not know the history, and may not have ever celebrated Cinco de Mayo. This is a great time to build the class’s understanding of the holiday and the portrayal of the battle of Puebla as an example of the resilience of the people of Mexico.
I want my students to feel seen, and to see themselves in the books we read, the activities we focus on, and the discussions we have. Educating myself on their culture and traditions helps me better understand how to do that.
Bridging the Gap: Connecting with Mexican-American Students
As educators, it’s crucial to create an inclusive classroom environment where all students feel seen and heard. For our Mexican-American students, connecting with their cultural heritage can foster a sense of belonging and pride. Here are three simple yet impactful ways to make meaningful connections:
- Embrace Cultural Representation in Education:
Include books, stories, and activities that showcase the rich heritage of Mexican-American culture. Introduce diverse literature with Mexican-American characters, explore the deeper historical context of Cinco de Mayo, and highlight the important achievements of Mexican-Americans throughout history. By incorporating culturally relevant content into our lessons, we validate the experiences and identities of our students. - Celebrate Traditions and Festivities: Encourage students to share their family traditions and experiences tied to Cinco de Mayo. Throw classroom parties where students can share traditional Mexican music, dance moves, and tasty dishes. Create chances for students to make Mexican-inspired crafts like papel picado or tissue paper flowers. When we celebrate these cultural traditions, we respect the diverse backgrounds in our classroom and help students feel proud of their heritage.
- Foster Cross-Cultural Understanding:
Encourage students to talk openly and respect each other’s backgrounds. Lead conversations about why Cinco de Mayo is important and what it really means, clearing up any misunderstandings or stereotypes. Invite students to share their own cultural traditions and celebrations, so everyone can understand and appreciate each other better. When we promote understanding between different cultures, we make our classroom a welcoming place where everyone feels like they belong.
Empowering Cultural Learning with Cinco de Mayo Activities
As we approach Cinco de Mayo, let’s seize the opportunity to deepen our students’ understanding of Mexican-American culture. Introducing my Cinco de Mayo activity pack—a resource designed to engage students in exploring the history, language, and traditions of this vibrant holiday. From a comprehension reading passage with a quiz, a vocabulary-rich word search, or an interactive game of Bingo with Spanish vocabulary, this pack provides a bite-sized glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Cinco de Mayo.
Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a passionate learner, let’s continue to celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and empower our students to embrace their unique identities. Together, we can create classrooms where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
How do you connect with your students? I’d love to hear how you help them feel seen and heard – sharing great ideas makes us all stronger teachers!
Below is my Cinco de Mayo activity set, if you are interested in sharing the history, language, and culture of this exciting holiday (in a bite-sized chunk) with your students.
🇲🇽 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! 🇲🇽
❤️ Happy Teaching!
~Beth
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