Cinco de Mayo History for Kindergarten

Parents and teachers! Discover engaging ways to introduce Cinco de Mayo to kindergarteners and preschoolers with these resources.

Introducing Cinco de Mayo to Kindergarteners

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. The holiday highlights the Battle of Puebla and its historical significance for the United States. This is a bit heavy for kindergarteners, so instead, as parents and teachers, we must view it as an opportunity to learn about cultural diversity and history in a fun way. 

I start by explaining the significance of the holiday in simple terms, focusing on themes like courage, unity, and celebrating differences. Remember, the goal is not for them to memorize the events of the Battle of Puebla. Instead it is to introduce the holiday in an age-appropriate way so that later when they learn about the history behind it, they will recognize the holiday and think to themselves, "Hey! I remember Cinco de Mayo! I learned about that...[last year0]."

Children's Books about Cinco de Mayo

Children's books are my go-to for introducing a new topic. They are a wonderful way to peak interest in little learners. Reading colorful and engaging books about Cinco de Mayo can captivate young minds and spark their curiosity. Here are some titles that are appropriate for early elementary kids. 

• Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: with Fiestas, Music, and Dance by Carolyn Otto
  
  
• Cinco de Mayo (Holidays in Rhythm and Rhyme) by Emma Carlson Berne 
  
  
• Cinco De Mayo (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by Mary Dodson Wade 

Try to avoid books with stereotypical themes on the cover (i.e., sombreros) and instead look for books that truly celebrate the holiday.

 

Printable Resources

But of course, nothing engages young minds like hands-on activities. Printable activities offer hands-on learning experiences that reinforce key concepts. From coloring pages featuring traditional Mexican symbols to word searches and puzzles, there are resources to make learning about Cinco de Mayo interactive and enjoyable.

My youngest loves crafts or coloring pages. So here are a few of the printables I have created with young learners in mind:

And here are a few other printable resources for different ages to supplement classroom lessons or family celebrations at home.

The Importance of Avoiding Stereotypes and Teaching Age-Appropriate History

I look around at all the Cinco de Mayo printables that are available on TpT and the internet and I really cringe at all the stereotypical imagery I see: sombreros, piñatas, maracas, cactus. Oy. They have nothing to do with the holiday.

In my opinion, it's crucial to approach the teaching of Cinco de Mayo with sensitivity and accuracy, avoiding stereotypes and misconceptions. Emphasize the diverse and rich tapestry of Mexican culture, highlighting its contributions to art, music, cuisine, and more. Teach history in a way that honors the resilience and achievements of the Mexican people while acknowledging the complexities of their experiences.

Fostering Cultural Understanding

Cinco de Mayo is another opportunity for us as parents and educators to encourage open dialogue and curiosity about different cultures, fostering empathy and respect among kindergarteners. Use age-appropriate language to discuss historical events, emphasizing themes of courage, unity, and social justice. By teaching history through a lens of diversity and inclusion, you empower children to appreciate the beauty of cultural heritage and embrace differences.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

• Cinco de Mayo Printable Resources
  
  
• Why the United States Should Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
  
  
• Cinco de Mayo Interactive Notebook or Lapbook

Cinco de Mayo Resources

 

We're only two days away from Cinco de Mayo! 

But - PLEASE - say goodbye to the chips and salsa printables. Ugh. Instead, take a moment to learn about the real history with my post, Why the United States Should Celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

If you're in need of a fast and easy, print-and-go activity OR a digital activity that describes the true history behind this often misunderstood holiday, then check out my Cinco de Mayo products on TpT! (Psst! There's a sale starting tomorrow!)

The photo above is the set of Boom Cards that I made last year. Completely digital, if you already use Boom Cards in your classroom, this may be a great resource for you. If you don't use Boom Cards, then be aware that to use them you have to have an account with Boom Learning. 

Otherwise, consider one of these printable packs:

A classroom favorite, this is great for both interactive notebooks and lapbooks.

Same message in different formats.

Fun for younger students.

Best for kids in 4th through 8th grades.

Good in conjunction with any of the other informational texts.

You can find them ALL in my TpT shop. 

Cinco de Mayo Printable Resources

Cinco de Mayo is almost here! Need fast, printable, no-prep materials? Check out these options:

Cinco de Mayo Booklets (2nd - 6th)

Good for larger families with multiple children, you can let them choose the style of booklet they'd like to use: a flipbook, an accordion book, and a booklet. All three are available...

• in black-and-white for coloring in

• with descriptive text or blank to allow students to write inside,

• and in English or Spanish. 

Cinco de Mayo Interactive Notebook (4th-8th grades)

This interactive notebook delves deep into the REAL history of the holiday and the impact it had on U.S. history. This set includes:

• Notebook cover page

• Close reading passage on the history of the Battle of Puebla

• Close reading passage highlighting the biography of General Ignacio Zaragoza

• 4 Information templates & map

• Discussion questions

Cinco de Mayo Coloring Pages (K - 4th)

These 8 coloring pages are an introduction to the REAL history of Cinco de Mayo. From General Zaragoza to Napoleon III, your students will learn about the impact the Battle of Puebla had on U.S. history through brief descriptions in English and Spanish that are easy for young children to understand.

  

The REAL History of Cinco de Mayo Reading Passage (4th - 8th)

A one-page history on the Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo. From Benito Juarez's decision to stop paying foreign debts for 2 years to the significance of the battle on U.S. history, this informational text is written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Includes an 8-question comprehension quiz plus answer key.

Cinco de Mayo Writing Pages (2nd - 4th)

Available in English and Spanish, this set has 9 designs in each language with writing lines for both beginning and advanced writers.

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New Cinco de Mayo Booklets

Cinco de Mayo is only a few days away! This year, I have a new printable. These booklets come in three styles: a flip book, an accordion book, and a booklet. Just choose the one that best suits your needs. These three minibooks are perfect for lapbooks, interactive notebooks, or literacy centers.

My Interactive Notebook delves deep into the REAL history of the holiday and the impact it had on U.S. history. This set includes:
• Notebook cover page
• Close reading passage on the history of the Battle of Puebla
• Close reading passage highlighting the biography of General Ignacio Zaragoza
• 4 Information templates & map
• Discussion questions

My coloring pages are best for younger children. This minibook contains eight coloring pages with text describing the subject matter for parents or teachers to read.

And finally, my bestseller. This is a NO-PREP, one-page history on the Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo. From Benito Juarez's decision to stop paying foreign debts for 2 years to the significance of the battle on U.S. history, this informational text is written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Includes an 8-question comprehension quiz plus answer key. 

You can find ALL of these over on my TpT shop under the Cinco de Mayo label.

Enjoy the holiday~

Free Cinco de Mayo Writing Pages

If you are a subscriber to my newsletter. be sure look for the one that just went out. It has these free writing pages for you to use!

If you haven't signed up yet, I hope you'll consider doing so. You can sign up at the bottom of my shop page, or just wait for the pop up when you click on this link.

Cinco de Mayo is just a week away! Are you ready? Are you looking for quick and easy materials to share with your kids or students? Don't forget that MommyMaestra has several excellent downloads available. Learn all about them here.

Cinco de Mayo Printables

It's hard to believe that Cinco de Mayo is next week! My printables have been selling like crazy, I think it's because they all focus on the REAL history behind the holiday and not just the stereotypical sombrero, piñata, margarita that most people associate with it.

So if you are looking for some fun printables to help your children or students learn about the impact this holiday had on U.S. history, (did you know that the outcome of the U.S. Civil War could have been very different if it weren't for the brave men and women of Puebla?) check out one of my products. They are available for a variety of ages!

Cinco de Mayo Bilingual Coloring Pages - TpT | My Shop

K - 2nd grade

Formerly known as a Bilingual Minibook on Cinco de Mayo, the full-page layout lent itself more towards coloring pages than a minibook, so I changed the name. :)  This packet includes three sets of 8 coloring pages; one in English, one in Spanish, and the other bilingual. Each page is accompanied by text telling the story of the Battle of Puebla and its historical impact.

Cinco de Mayo Interactive Notebook or Lapbook - TpT | My Shop

4th - 6th grade

If you've never used an interactive notebook or lapbook, check it out! They are so much fun because they allow your student to read, write, color, cut, and paste to make the learning experience more engaging so that they'll remember better.

You can see examples of how the notebook goes together here.

The REAL History of Cinco de Mayo 1-Page Reading Passage - TpT | My Shop

4th - 8th grade

Only have time for a quick activity? This is a NO PREP one-page history on the Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo. From Benito Juarez's decision to stop paying foreign debts for two years to the impact of the battle on U.S. history, this informational text is written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Includes an 8-question comprehension quiz plus answer key.

Cinco de Mayo Interactive Notebook or Lapbook

I'm pretty excited about my newest download in honor of Cinco de Mayo. My newest activity is designed to be used with an interactive notebook or lapbook. If you've been homeschooling for any time, you are no doubt familiar with lapbooks. If you are a new homeschooler, or a parent with children in a traditional school setting, then let me briefly explain both.

Lapbooks are a popular way of learning. Children take a manilla file folder and usually fold it in such as way as to create two flaps that open like doors. Inside are educational bits that are visually appealing. You may have maps, pockets with flash cards, drawings, graphs, minibooks, flaps, and accordion books. Facts are broken up into manageable sections for kids to learn and organize.

Interactive notebooks are similar, but instead of file folders, students use their notebooks. Inside, students paste reading passages and graphic organizers that they cut out, color in, write in, or otherwise assemble.

Because my kids really love their interactive history notebooks, I decided to create a set of instructional materials based on Cinco de Mayo. All of the ones I found on TpT, sadly focused on stereotypical images and concepts of sombreros or chips and salsa. Few actually tell the REAL and complete history of Cinco de Mayo and its impact on U. S. history.

So here's what mine includes:

• Notebook cover page
• Close reading passage on the history of the Battle of Puebla
• Close reading passage highlighting the biography of General Ignacio Zaragoza
• 4 Information templates & map
• Discussion questions

This packet comes with all materials available in English AND Spanish. It was designed for students in 4 - 8th grades.

Here are some sample pictures of my kids adding this set of Cinco de Mayo printables to their history interactive notebooks.

If you'd like to use my Cinco de Mayo Interactive Notebook or Lapbook with your own students or children, you can find it in the MommyMaestra Shop or in my TpT store.

Enjoy!!

Printables on the REAL History Behind Cinco de Mayo

If you are looking for fun activities to teach your children about the REAL history behind Cinco de Mayo and the significant impact that the Battle of Puebla had on U.S. history, don't forget that I have a bilingual mini-book coloring book available in my TpT store and here in my MommyMaestra Shop. 

Both this and the next printable are instant downloads, so you don't have to wait around to get the materials. Just purchase, download, and print! 

This book includes coloring pages of items related to the history of the holiday, as well as brief descriptions in English and Spanish that are easy for young children to understand.

Cinco de Mayo Worksheets

For older children, I also have this brief reading passage. It is a one-page history on the Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo available in on TpT and my MM Shop. From Benito Juarez's decision to stop paying foreign debts for two years to the significance of the battle on U.S. history, this informational text is written for students in 2nd - 6th grade. It includes an 8-question comprehension quiz plus answer key.

Other Cinco de Mayo Resources

My other Cinco de Mayo printables include booklets, and interactive notebook, and writing pages.

If you are looking to dive deeper into the history of Cinco de Mayo, check out this children's biography about General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín:

There are a lot of children's books about Cinco de Mayo coming out now. Be careful! Some of them are very bad about spreading stereotypes. Here are the ones that I like:

Here is an informative video for classrooms about Cinco de Mayo, but it does not tell the complete history or explain why the Battle of Puebla was significant for it's impact on the U.S. Civil War. 

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Why the United States Should Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
  
  
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Why the United States Should Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Judging by some of the comments I have seen being left on a FB page about who does/does not celebrate Cince de Mayo and why, I realized that many don't truly understand the significance of this day.

So for those of you who don't really know what all the hoopla is about, here is a brief history on Cinco de Mayo and why I, for one, celebrate this holiday.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is NOT the Mexican Independence Day. Instead, this holiday commemorates the victory of a small Mexican army (estimated to be around 2,000 soldiers) over the French forces, which were considered to be the best army in the world at the time. This is known as the Battle of Puebla, and it occurred on May 5th, 1862.

Let me give you a little bit of background information:

In 1861, Mexico's treasury (and government) was in shambles after years of wars: the Mexican-American War in 1846-48; the Mexican Civil War in 1858; and the 1860 Reform Wars.

General Zaragoza

So in an attempt to begin rebuilding the country, Presidente Benito Juárez issued a two-year moratorium on all foreign debts (he planned to resume payments to the foreign lenders in 1863). But naturally France, Britain, and Spain, did not look too kindly on this and they each sent troops over to Veracruz to demand their money. Juárez negotiated with Britain and Spain, but the French forces forced Juárez and the government to flee. They then began their march towards Mexico City, but encountered a small army in Puebla under the direction of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.

At this time, Napoleon III (not Napoleon Bonaparte!) was the emperor of France and he saw this as an opportunity to establish a French empire in the Americas.

The U.S. Civil War Connection

It is incredibly important that people understand that the U. S. Civil War was happening at the exact same time. Napoleon's plan was to spend a few months invading and conquering Mexico, and then use the country as a base for supplying the Confederate rebels with supplies and weapons to help them win the war. 

Had the brave men and women of Puebla not decided to take a stand against such overwhelming odds - and won! - the outcome of the U. S. Civil War could have been drastically different. And it is for this reason alone, that I personally think that Cinco de Mayo should be celebrated in the United States.

Should it be celebrated in Mexico? Not really. Although this victory was a much needed morale booster for the people and government, Napoleon returned the following year with an army of 30,000 and captured Mexico City, establishing Emperor Maximiliano I as ruler. (You might remember him or his wife, Carlotta, to whom we owe a word of thanks for giving "birth," so to speak, to the tradition of cascarones!)

But his reign was short-lived as, incidentally, after the U.S. Civil War was over, the U.S. provided support to Mexico to expel the French. They were not stupid and had feared France's support of the Confederacy during the war. Afterwards, they were quick to help Mexico give them the boot!

I think that President Lincoln would have wholeheartedly celebrated Cinco de Mayo, don't you?

Printable Cinco de Mayo Resources for Kids

If you'd like to teach this to your students or children, be sure to check out my printable resources on TpT!

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Cinco de Mayo Printable Resources
  
  
• Free May the Fourth Download
  
  
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Con mucho cariño...