Fiesta Mats
Paper weaving and crayon designs add color to your Mexican culture classroom celebration.
1. Find out how holidays are celebrated in Mexico. When might woven mats be a part of their festivities? What materials are traditionally used to construct mats? What colors are typical? What symbols are common?
2. Fold a large piece of construction paper in half by bringing the shorter sides together. Measure a line 1 inch (3cm) from the open end with a ruler. Use Crayola® Scissors to cut 4 parallel lines from the fold up to your line. Space the cut lines an equal distance apart from each other and the side of the paper. Unfold your fiesta mat base.
3. Cut a second large piece of construction paper into strips, cutting straight across the paper from long side to long side.
4. Weave strips over and under the slits into the base. Alternate each strip so that where one goes over, the next strip goes under. Weave as many strips as you can. There will be strips left over.
5. Attach loose ends of strips to the mat base with Crayola School Glue.
6. Use Crayola Construction Paper Crayons to draw fiesta symbols in the squares created by weaving.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
- Laminate Fiesta Mats with clear plastic adhesive, such as Con-Tact® paper.
- Create a trait chart comparing several U.S. or other national holidays with traditional Mexican celebrations. Head each column with a different holiday, then list characteristics such as time of year, reason for the celebration, traditional foods, customs, and music.
- Hold a Mexican New Year celebration. Organize a fiesta with authentic food, music, and decorations. Use fiesta mats for place settings while eating.
- Younger students and those with special needs may need help cutting and weaving. Provide assistance or helper partners as needed.
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