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Fiesta Mats

Students will learn about Zapotec weaving and create a woven paper mat.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Ruler

Steps

  • Step 1

    Zapotec weaving is an ancient art form that has been passed down from generation to generation for over 2,000 years. Have students explore the Zapotec civilization of Oaxaca in Mexico. When did it arise? What technological contributions did they make? What was farmed there? Ask students to look at images of Zapotec rugs and mats. Have them note the symbols used. For example, zig-zag patterns represent lightning, geometric spirals represent the cycle of life, etc. Modern examples incorporate other symbols as well.

  • Step 2

    To make a woven mat, have students students fold a piece of construction paper in half bringing the shorter sides together. Ask them to measure 1 inch in from the open ends and draw a line from top to bottom, then cut four equidistant lines from the fold to the drawn line. Now have them cut a piece of construction paper, in a different color, into long strips.

  • Step 3

    Have students weave the strips over and under the slits in the first paper, alternating so that where one strip goes over, the next strip goes under. Glue the ends of the strips to the mat base. Now students can illustrate the squares with Zapotec or other Mexican symbols.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their mats to the class and discuss the meaning and significance of the symbols they used.

Standards

SS: Culture: Through experience, observation, and reflection, identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across place and time.

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Adaptations

Benito Juárez was of Zapotec ancestry and was Mexico's first Indigenous president. He is a national hero of Mexico. Have students learn about his life and some of his accomplishments and reforms, including helping to free Mexico from neocolonialism and working to overcome prejudices against Indigenous peoples.

Have students investigate some symbols of Mexican heritage and culture, including those of some of the civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica. These might include maize (corn), sugar skulls, Cempasuchil flowers, and many others.