ALEX Classroom Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

This clip explains the history behind the holiday known as Cinco de Mayo and dispels misconceptions that the holiday celebrates Mexican independence.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

This clip discusses the history of the Christmas holiday and some of the misconceptions surrounding it. It also explains how the modern form of the holiday came to fruition with its cards, gifts, trees, and icons such as Santa Claus.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

This learning activity provides a reading passage about Cinco de Mayo, vocabulary support, and comprehension questions. The reading level is 2nd grade, so it is best to read the text aloud to the class instead of independent reading. Cinco de Mayo means the 5th of May in Spanish. Many people think that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican Independence Day. But it isn’t. Mexico actually celebrates Independence Day on September 16th. On that day in 1810, Mexico declared independence from Spain. They decided the people in Mexico would have their own government instead of being ruled by the Spanish government. 

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   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT (0) 6 :

6 ) Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Examples: celebrations, food, traditions

[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

In this learning activity, students learn about Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture by creating their own Carnival mask.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT (0) 6 :

6 ) Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Examples: celebrations, food, traditions

[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

[SS2010] USS6 (6) 7 :

7 ) Identify changes on the American home front during World War II.

Example: rationing

•  Recognizing the retooling of factories from consumer to military production

•  Identifying new roles of women and African Americans in the workforce

•  Describing increased demand on the Birmingham steel industry and Port of Mobile facilities (Alabama)

•  Describing the experience of African Americans and Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II, including the Tuskegee Airmen and occupants of internment camps (Alabama)

[ARTS] VISA (0) 1 :

1) Engage in self-directed exploration and imaginative play with art materials.

a. Use motor skills to create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Finger painting, watercolors, paper collage, and rubbings.

b. Use motor skills to create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Rolling, folding, cutting, molding, pinching and pulling clay.

[ARTS] VISA (1) 2 :

2) Explore and experiment with a range of art materials.

a. Create two-dimensional art.

Examples: Family portrait or gadget printing.

b. Create three-dimensional art.

Examples: Pinch pots or found-object sculptures.

[ARTS] VISA (6) 2 :

2) Formulate an artistic investigation and discovery of relevant content for creating art.

Example: Make, share, and revise a list of ideas and preliminary sketches.

In this learning activity, students make their own Koinobori (fish kite). These kites were an important way of life for Japanese American children in internment camps during World War II.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

[SS2010] CWI (9-12) 7 :

7 ) Identify strategies that facilitate public discussion on societal issues, including debating various positions, using a deliberative process, blogging, and presenting public forums.

This learning activity is an online exhibit that provides students with information about the origins of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Links to online resources and printable classroom-ready resources are included in the activity. Lesson plans for grades K-2 and grades 6-8 are included. There is also a link for an interactive site where students can create their own virtual altar.  

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT (0) 6 :

6 ) Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Examples: celebrations, food, traditions

[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 11 :

11 ) Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Examples: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo

This is a collection of lessons that can be used to help students understand Kwanzaa. Students watch a brief documentary and view images related to the holiday as an introduction to Kwanzaa. Students compare and contrast images of Kwanzaa with images of Christmas and Hanukkah. Students are also asked to view an image and use that image to describe Kwanzaa to someone unfamiliar with the holiday. Be sure to click "Read More" at the top of the collection to view the lesson that can be used with this collection.