Aztec Bracelets

Second grade students learned how Aztec people made red dye from cochineal insects. Students looked at Aztec symbols and jewelry before using mixed media to make their Aztec style bracelets.

Viva La Causa

Seventh grade students watched Viva La Causa, a documentary about Cesar Chavez and the struggle for farm workers rights. Students then examined the work of African American artist Elizabeth Catlett and the Mexican printmakers that she worked with. Students then created their own prints dealing with a social justice issue that the care about personally.

Coconut Masks

Fourth grade students looked at authentic coconut masks made by Mexican Nahua Indian families; half a coconut is used for the base, then seeds and corn and plants are used to add features and hair. Students used balloons as armatures and celluclay to make the features on their 'coconut' masks.

Prickly Pear cactus

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Pre-Kindergarten students looked at images of prickly pear cacti before using mixed media to make their pictures of prickly pear.

 

Self-portraits and Frida Kahlo

Students read about the life and work of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo before creating their own symbolic self portraits with animals.

Paper Weaving

Kindergarten students learned how dye can be made from insects, shellfish and plants. Students created paper weavings using red, purple and blue, the colors created from the substances discussed.    

Hola Portraits

Pre-Kindergarten students have been practicing their Spanish greetings. Students used crayons to draw their "Hola!" portraits.