Los Estados de Mexico

How familiar are you with the states of Mexico? The world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country can at times be overshadowed by the 50 states of its northern neighbor. Show the 31 Mexican estados with a 3-D geographic display.

• 1.

  Divide into teams to research the 31 (plus one Federal District) Mexican states. Research the history and resources that makes each state unique. Choose visual symbols that tell the state’s story. For example, Yucatan has the famous Mayan ruin of Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The state of Quintana Roo contains many internationally renowned beach resorts.

• 2.

  As a class, determine the scale to be used for a large-scale relief map. Each state must conform to this agreed-upon system of measurement so all state borders fit together to form the country.

• 3.

  For each state, roll out a Crayola® Model Magic® slab for the base. Place these bases on cardboard large enough to hold the entire country of Mexico. Make sure the edges fit properly.

• 4.

  Add each state’s terrain elements and sculpt the dimensional elements (mountains, rivers) with more modeling material to make a 3-D relief map. Use Crayola Scissors to cut shapes from Model Magic compound.

• 5.

  Use Crayola® Squeezables™ 3-D Paints to label each state and to intensify textural aspects of the relief. Air-dry the map for 3 days.

• 6.

  Student teams describe their maps and findings to the class.

Benefits

• Students gain knowledge about the Latin American country of Mexico.
• Students translate information into 3-dimensional symbols representative of each state’s characteristics.
• Students work within an agreed-upon scale to construct a detailed relief map of Mexico.

Adaptations

• Read aloud some of the passages from the works of Octavio Paz and Sandra Cisneros to gain an understanding of life in Mexico in the last century.
• Look at the murals found around Mexico. What aspects of Mexican history and daily life are portrayed in these masterpieces?
• Learn about the neighboring countries to the south of Mexico. What is their relationship with Mexico? What are some of the factors affecting Mexico’s relationship with the United States? With the rest of Latin and South America?
• Assessment: Can students name and locate at least 10 Mexican states? Were the states all built to the same scale? Was the 3-dimensional aspect to the assignment realized adequately?