Mexico Homework Projects

Sun God Mask

Materials:  piece of cardboard, string or yarn (any color), foil, glue, and scissors, permanent markers, tape, optional - feathers, sequins, raffia, yarn, glitter, etc

Directions: 

1. Draw an oval shape on the cardboard and cut it out

2.  Draw your face design on the cardboard

3.  Glue string over your design. Let it dry overnight.

4.  Cover the mask with foil.  Tape the foil down on the back. Press the foil gently with your fingertips until your design becomes visible.  Be careful! 

5.  Using permanent markers, color your mask. 

6.  Add extras like feathers, sequins, raffia, yarn, glitter, etc.

Aztec Battle Shields

Materials:  paper plates, plain drawing paper, crayons, markers or paint, scissors and glue, scraps of fabric, colored paper, foil, feathers, glitter, beads, yarn, tissue and crepe paper, etc.

Directions: 

1.  Research library and classroom books for some ideas and patterns.  Jaguars, eagles, and serpents were highly respected symbols.  Bright colors, feathers, metals (like gold and silver), and mosaics made from semiprecious stones (like turquoise) were used frequently.

2.  On a piece of plain paper, trace the shape of the paper plate.  Plan your designs, deciding what colors, symbols, and art techniques you want to use.

3.  Using pencil, draw your design on the paper plate.  Add color.

4.  Add extra items like dangling feathers, colored paper cut into mosaic pieces, or pieces of foil.

5.  On the back of your shield, write a paragraph explaining what the symbols and colors you used

Flour Tortillas:

Ingredients:

Directions:

1.  Combine the flour,  baking powder, salt and warm water in a large mixing bowl.  Using wet hands, mix the dough until you can form it into a large ball.

2.  Cover dough and allow to rise for 30-45 minutes.

3.  Wet hands again and shape the dough into 12 smaller balls (about the size of a golf ball).

4.  Put one ball onto a piece of waxed paper.  Place another piece of waxed paper on top.  Roll with a rolling pin until it is about 6 inches in diameter.  Continue for each ball of dough.

5.  Heat the ungreased frying pan to medium-hot.

6.  Peel off the top sheet of wax paper.  Flip over and drop tortilla (paper side up) into the frying pan.  Peel off the remaining paper.  Cook for 30 seconds.  Turn and cook for one minute.  Turn and cook for 30 seconds.  Tortillas should be soft and dry with light brown flecks.

Tooled Metal Design

Materials:   Heavy duty aluminum foil or gold foil, acrylic paint - Black, Sponge, Scissors, Tracing Paper, Ball Point Pen, Colored Paper or Piece of Smooth Wood, Poster board - (if using aluminum foil), Paintbrush, Glue (Tacky Glue recommended)

Directions: 

1.  Make a tracing paper copy of the design (see your hard copy for design).

2.  Place the tracing paper designs over a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil or gold foil.

3.  Carefully outline each design being sure not to break the foil below.

4.  If using aluminum foil, cut a sheet of poster board the same size and glue the tooled metal design in place on the sheet of poster board.  Allow to dry.

5.  Paint the entire surface of the metal design with black paint.  Carefully remove the excess paint with a clean, damp sponge.  This technique will highlight the lines tooled into the metal.  Allow to dry.

6.  Cut a piece of colored paper or a piece of wood measuring 2 inches larger on all sides in relationship to the edges of the finished tooled picture.

7.  Glue the finished tooled metal design to the sheet of paper or piece of wood.

Mayan Glyphs

Materials:   Self Hardening Clay, Craft Sticks, Dull Pencils, Paint, Dough Clay (Click here to download the recipe)

Directions: 

1. Pat or roll a small amount of clay into a 2" X 5" rectangle, 1/4 inch thick.

2.  Use dull pencils and/or craft sticks to trace your glyph patter into the clay.  Make a hole at the tope for threading the pendant on the cord.

3.  Paint the clay after it has been allowed to dry.  String it on a piece of string or yarn and wear it for good luck.

Aztec Restaurant Menu

Directions: 

1.  Fold a 12" X 18" piece of construction paper into thirds.

2.  Decide on a name for your restaurant, like Tehuacan's Eatery or Quetzalcoatl Cafe.  Design a logo using the name you have selected and draw it across the top of the middle section.

3.  Divide your menu into food categories like appetizers, main courses, desserts, salads, beverages, etc., and write those titles.

4.  Create your own dishes for each category, using only Aztec foods.  Carefully write the name of the dish with a brief description of the ingredients, like Teotehuacan Treats: Grilled fresh ants in a delicate chocolate and peanut sauce.

5.  Add colorful illustrations and designs.  For each dish, list a price - in cacao beans!