Christmas is a magical time of year filled with warmth and celebrations galore! I believe it becomes even more meaningful when students learn about how different cultures celebrate. In my classroom, this looked like setting up chairs in a row, pretending to be on an airplane with a ticket, and traveling the world for Christmas Around the World! The kids loved it! A favorite and often familiar country to my students’ was Mexico. (I believe this is because we were so close living in Texas.) Exploring Christmas in Mexico with your students is a wonderful way to build cultural awareness. Here are four easy-to-use resources that will make your lesson planning a breeze, including a fun poinsettia craft!
This interactive flip-up book is perfect for introducing your students to the traditions and customs of Christmas in Mexico. Each page covers a different topic, such as Las Posadas, traditional foods, and popular decorations. The simple text and engaging illustrations make it accessible for young learners. You can do it together as a class, or a few pages each day.
As your students complete their books, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of Mexican Christmas traditions while also practicing reading and writing skills.
Click here to check out the Christmas in Mexico Flip-Up Book
Looking for a quick and engaging way to introduce your students to the vibrant customs of Christmas in Mexico? This PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation is an excellent resource for a whole-class activity. It’s filled with easy-to-understand information about key traditions like piñatas, the role of family, and the importance of Las Posadas.
The best part?
It’s perfect for a station, or for independent study because I read the slides and share information on each slide! There are even interactive parts!
Click here to explore the Christmas in Mexico PowerPoint and Google Slides resource
The story of The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola is a heartwarming tale that teaches students about generosity. It’s a great way to teach students about the origins of the poinsettia as a Christmas symbol. This Christmas read aloud lends itself to teaching students how to identify the genre. The read aloud lesson comes ready to print and go! It has 4 days of lessons to help you teach about this Christmas in Mexico tradition.
A simple craft for Christmas in Mexico is to have students create a poinsettia. Copy the petals onto red paper and the leaves onto green. You can have them use a yellow crayon to make the center, or copy that part onto yellow paper, too.
If you are reading The Legend of the Poinsettia, then you can have them write on the poinsettia petals. They can write:
It’s a great hands-on way to bring the story to life!
Click here to learn more about The Legend of the Poinsettia Read-Aloud Lesson
Another must-read book for your Christmas in Mexico fun is The Night of Las Posadas, also by Tomie dePaola. This story captures the spirit of community and faith as it teaches all about a traditional Las Posadas procession.
This read aloud is wonderful for teaching students how to identify the author’s purpose. You can easily weave literacy skills into your Christmas Around the World unit. This read aloud and discussion will deepen your students’ comprehension while sparking meaningful discussions.
Click here to explore The Night of Las Posadas Activities
From lively festivals like Las Posadas to the beautiful story behind the poinsettia, there are so many engaging ways to teach your students about Christmas in Mexico. Christmas in Mexico can be an exciting and meaningful experience for your students with these easy-to-use activities that students and teachers love. From interactive books to hands-on crafts and rich read-alouds, these activities will inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the holiday traditions of another culture. Enjoy the joy it brings to your classroom!
I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers. Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!
