Students Get a Taste of Mexico
Students Get a Taste of Mexico
by Emily Simmons
Traveling to Omaha, Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 students explored El Museo Latino on Friday, November 21. The students not only learned about Mexican culture, but also had the opportunity to try food at a Mexican restaurant and bakery.
The day started off with a learning experience at El Museo Latino. The students participated in the Dia de Muertos program, which is translated to Day of the Dead. The program honored a Mexican artist who passed away with a la ofrenda. La ofrenda is an altar that contains items that describe the person who passed away. After the presentation, the Pierce students were shown different Huichol artwork throughout the museum. They learned about how long it took artists to create the artwork and what the artwork means. Then they gathered back into the main room to make their own artwork. The students also created papel picado. Papel picado is a popular Mexican artwork, which is displayed during Day of the Dead. It contains tissue paper that has designs cut from it.
After the students left the museum, they walked down the block to a Mexican restaurant called Cabaña de Franco. Several of the students had never tasted real Mexican food, so it broadened their horizons. When they finished eating, the Spanish students walked a few more blocks to a Mexican bakery. All of the students were fascinated with the different kinds of breads and baked goods the bakery contained. The prices were low so many stocked up on goods to take home.
Spanish teacher Esmeralda Martinez said, “I think the trip went pretty well. The kids behaved excellent and represented Pierce High with great pride. I think for some of the kids it was a culture shock because they had never had real Mexican food or been to a Mexican bakery, so I think we all learned a little.”
