Have you seen Jimmy Kimmel’s bit where he asks pedestrians questions they ought to know the answers to, and then airs their responses that are often way off the mark? I just keep waiting through gritted teeth for the one that asks, “Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo?”. (Maybe it’s already happened, and I don’t know it?) In any case, I always tell my kids that it’s my job to make sure that if he ever asks them, they can answer correctly and save us both a lot of embarrassment. And yet, the question comes up every year, without fail. “Señora, what are we doing for Cinco de mayo?” So here are my favorite #masquesombreros answers to that question.
If you’re familiar with me, my classroom or my TpT shop, you know I love escape rooms, so of course I have a Cinco de Mayo break out room. It walks students through the story behind Cinco de Mayo, why it is celebrated in the United States, and key vocabulary and terms. They’re engaged from start to finish, and by the time they escape, no student will say it’s Mexican Independence Day.
The message of the real meaning of Cinco de Mayo is significant enough that I’m willing to offer a Cinco de Mayo escape room in English to my first year students. It’s fun, and students feel like we’re doing something special, but they leave my room with a better understanding of history and culture.
For intermediate students who are ready to read and respond in Spanish, I love using a Cinco de mayo virtual field trip. A guided webquest to “meet” important leaders involved with the Battle of Puebla, and get to know Puebla. The viaje virtual explores traditional Mexican foods beyond tacos like mole poblano. Students can listen to mariachi music, then attend parades and celebrations in the United States.
What are your favorite answers to this question? Do you recognize the day or go about business as usual. I’d love to hear from you!
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