[kmob]

I'm teaching world geography, and as some of you already know, I am developing all of the instruction myself based on the state frameworks for MA. I am following "Mapping the World by Heart" for my mapping and geography work, for each region of the world I am creating projects. This work is on top of studies of music, culture, geography, and poetry from the nations we are studying.

EX: World Features: 5 paragraph essay about an Indiana Jones type character with specific directions on how many locations must be visited and descriptions

USA: Plan a weekend get a way to a city of your choice, no budget

Canada: using publisher create a brochure on a specific providence or territory

Mexico/Central America: ??

Europe: I'm developing a project as if the student is an ambassador to the assigned nation

Africa: African World Fair model


Any ideas on what I can do for Mexico/Central America....I'm at a loss to come up with a different project...any ideas you can give me (grade 6 btw) would be great.

[maryw]

Pretend the World Tourism and Trade Organization (made up but you could see if there is a real organization if you want) would like to help Mexico/Central America increase their tourism and trade and therefore is sponsoring a contest. They are looking for the best advertisement. You could list the requirements of the contest- includes a map of the area, so many additional facts, interesting places, absolute location, natural resources, population or whatever you are studying.

This project allows students to choose their media- do they want to make a poster, video tape a tv spot, somehow do a neat radio jingle or a flyer for a travel agency or whatever you want them to be allowed to do.

I look forward to see what other ideas are shared.

[MiddlingAZ]

for each region of the world I am creating projects. This work is on top of studies of music, culture, geography, and poetry from the nations we are studying.

I'm not quite clear--you're interested in a project that does NOT involve culture? What would be the focus of the project?

If cultural topics are okay, maybe Then and Now comparing Native American culture before the Europeans with the Modern culture. The Maya and Aztec, such as pyramids, are amazing and represent a high level of civilization--you don't have to get into Aztec human sacrifice! Maybe just Mayan culture because that covers both Mexico & Central America. A lot of Norte Americanos, even kids, have kind of a negative perspective from the news (illegal immigrants, drug wars, poverty, border towns) and it might be nice to look at some positives. Music, art, crafts, dance, literature, festivals/holidays, architecture, foods, tourist areas, etc. are all colorful and vibrant aspects of contemporary culture.
http://www.mayankids.com/
http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/mexico.html
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/Find/Mexico

It sounds like they are doing doing some writing, so maybe making crafts. The sites above all have hands on projects. You could hold a Fiesta or bazaar with food and crafts.
A Spanish/English illustrated dictionary might be fun way to highlight all of those cultural topics, A to Z.
I never taught 6th social studies, so not sure what's too advanced or too elementary. I'm sure you will get some other ideas from PTers who actually do a Mexico unit! It's just an interest of mine after so many trips and being only an hour away, so wanted to help. Have fun!

[kmob]

I do want the projects to include culture, I was just trying to show that I am also covering this in class lessons. I am trying to make this course very hands-on and also to work on research skills. I really enjoy both of your ideas.

My students have Spanish 3 times a week, I will talk to the Spanish teacher and see if we can't make the ABC book as a collaborative project.

I took the Advertisement idea and started to create a project. I still need to figure out a rubric...let me know your thoughts. I don't have enough students to assign all the countries/states listed but I wanted to put a master list...maybe I will let them pick the one they want to research rather than radomly assigning like I usually do.

Thank you for all the help!!!