A Quilt of Texas Cultures

Books to Share

Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley.
Day of the Dead by Tony Johnston.
Families by Ann Morris.
¡Fiesta! by Ginger Foglesong Guy.
The Mouse Bride by Joy Cowley.

Books to Display and Booktalk

Abuelito Eats With His Fingers by Janice Levy.
Father's Rubber Shoes by Yumi Heo.
Our People by Angela Shelf Medearis.
Prairie Dog Pioneers by Jo Harper.

Bulletin Board

Many Cultures, One Texas

Hang a large map of Texas on the bulletin board. Make enough copies of the pattern of the world at the end of this chapter to surround the map. Let the children color the maps and then surround the map of Texas with them. Flags of the world could also be used.

Displays

Texas Cultures

Represent the diversity of Texas cultures with a display of books about various countries and items related to those cultures. For example, include maracas from Mexico, a ribbon stick from China, or small Christmas tree from Germany.

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Decorations

Alternate hanging world flags and the Texas flag on the wall.

Fingerplays

This Big Texan

(By Tina Hager)

This big Texan speaks French, (Hold up one finger)
This big Texan speaks Spanish, (Hold up two fingers)
This big Texan speaks German, (Hold up three fingers)
This big Texan speaks Swedish, (Hold up four fingers)
And this big Texan yells "Yeeha! Welcome home!" (Hold up five fingers and wave)

This Little Cow

This little cow eats grass, (Hold up one finger)
This little cow eats hay, (Hold up two fingers)
This little cow drinks water, (Hold up three fingers)
This little cow runs away, (Hold up four fingers)
And this little cow does nothing
But lie down all the day. (Hold up five fingers then place hand flat, palm side down)

Dikke, Dikke, Dik!

(Traditional rhyme from Denmark)

Brow-bone, (Point to eyebrows)
Eye-stone, (Point to eyes)
Nose-bone, (Point to nose)
Mouth-lip, (Point to mouth)
Chin-tip, (Point to chin)
Dikke, dikke, dik! (Clap hands)

Songs

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

(Add verses substituting the words "all of Texas" and the names of different cultures that make up Texas for "the whole world." For instance, substitute "German Texans," "French Texans," "Spanish Texans.")

He's got the whole world in his hands,
He's got the whole wide world in his hands,
He's got the whole world in his hands,
He's got the whole world in his hands.

The More We Get Together

(Sing to the tune of "Did You Ever See a Lassie")

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, the happier we'll be,
For your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends,
The more we get together the happier we'll be.

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Crafts

Fiesta Mobile

mobile

Materials

Copies of the mobile patterns
Colors
Scissors
Hangers
Yarn or string
Hole punch

Directions

Read the book ¡Fiesta! and make a mobile. Copy the patterns in the back of this chapter for the fiesta mobile. Cut the pictures out and punch holes in the tops of each one. Let the children attach a piece of yarn or string to each picture and tie the other end to a coat hanger.

Game

Na Kozla

This is a game from the Czech culture that is similar to "leap frog." Children get down on their hands and knees in a line. The last child jumps over every one in front of her/him and becomes the first child in line. Repeat until everyone has a turn.

Guest Speakers

Ask individuals from various cultures to speak to the children about their food, customs, and homelands.

Invite a travel agent or flight attendant talk about countries from which immigrants traveled to settle in Texas.

Musical Recordings

"La Cucaracha" on Cantemos Chiquitos #2: More Traditional Songs from South of the Border by Georgette Baker.

Professional Resources

Street Rhymes Around the World by Jane Yolen.
Texans: A Story of Texan Cultures for Young People by Barbara Evans Stanush.

Table of Contents | From City to City

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