Arturo's Awesome World Tour: A Family Journey

A multi-day, hands-on lesson for a 5-year-old to explore the culture, history, and traditions of México, Cuba, and the USA with his family.

Materials Needed

General Supplies:

• A world map or globe
• 3 shoeboxes
• Construction paper (especially red, white, green, and blue)
• Crayons, markers, and child-safe paint
• Child-safe scissors and glue sticks
• Tape
• Books or online videos about México, Cuba, and the USA suitable for children
• A speaker for playing music

Art & Project Supplies:

• Recycled materials: cardboard tubes (from paper towels or toilet paper), small cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, rubber bands
• Craft supplies: star-shaped stickers, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, yarn, streamers
• Fillers for shakers: dried beans, rice, or small pasta
• Modeling clay (optional)

Country-Specific Items:

• For México (with Dad): Pictures of mariachi bands, Chichen Itza, and monarch butterflies. Ingredients for simple guacamole (avocados, lime, salt).
• For Cuba (with Aba): Pictures of Havana's classic cars, beaches, and farmers. Ingredients for a tropical fruit salad (mango, pineapple, papaya).
• For USA (with Mom): Pictures of the Statue of Liberty, bald eagles, and the Grand Canyon. Ingredients for a simple American snack like apple slices with cinnamon sugar.

Lesson Plan: A Three-Part Adventure

This lesson is designed to be spread across several days. Dedicate at least one day to exploring each country before moving on to the final projects. The key is to have fun and let Arturo's curiosity lead the way!

Part 1: A Trip to México with Dad

1. Introduction: "Where in the World?" (15 minutes)

• Find México: With Dad, Arturo finds México on the world map. Talk about how it is a neighbor to the USA.
• Meet the Flag: Look at the Mexican flag. Dad explains the colors: green for hope, white for unity, and red for the blood of heroes. Look closely at the symbol in the middle—the eagle on a cactus eating a snake. Tell the simple Aztec legend about how this symbol told the people where to build their great city.

2. Culture & Celebration (30 minutes)

• Listen to the Music: Play some fun, upbeat mariachi music. Dance around! Look at pictures of the musicians and their special outfits (charro suits) and big hats (sombreros).
• Taste of México: Make simple guacamole together. Let Arturo mash the avocados with a fork. Talk about how avocados grow in México.
• Holiday Highlight - Día de los Muertos: Explain that this is a happy holiday to remember family members who are no longer with us. Look at colorful pictures of sugar skulls and ofrendas (altars) decorated with flowers, especially marigolds.

3. Creative Time (30 minutes)

• Flag Craft: Arturo creates the Mexican flag using green, white, and red paper. He can draw or paint the eagle symbol in the middle or Dad can help him print one to glue on.
• Start the México Shoebox: Get the first shoebox. Arturo can paint the inside a bright color. Glue his new flag to the back wall of the box. He can draw a pyramid or a big marigold flower to put inside. Set it aside to add more to later.

Part 2: A Visit to Cuba with Aba

1. Introduction: "An Island of Sunshine" (15 minutes)

• Find Cuba: With Aba, Arturo finds Cuba on the map. Aba points out that it's an island, which means it's surrounded by water.
• Meet the Flag: Look at the Cuban flag. Aba explains the stripes represent different parts of the country and the red triangle stands for courage, with the white star inside representing independence.

2. Culture & Celebration (30 minutes)

• Cars and Colors: Look at pictures of Cuba, especially the city of Havana. Point out the bright, colorful buildings and the cool, old-fashioned cars. Explain simply that these cars are special to Cuba and have been kept running for a very long time.
• Let's Dance!: Play some Cuban music like salsa or son cubano. Aba can teach Arturo some simple dance steps. The music is a huge part of Cuban life!
• Taste of Cuba: Make a tropical fruit salad together. As you chop the fruits (mango, pineapple, papaya), talk about how they grow in warm, sunny places like Cuba.

3. Creative Time (30 minutes)

• Flag Craft: Arturo creates the Cuban flag using blue, white, and red paper. He can use a star sticker or draw the star in the red triangle.
• Start the Cuba Shoebox: Get the second shoebox. Arturo can paint the inside blue like the ocean. He can glue his flag inside and add drawings of classic cars or palm trees. Set it aside.

Part 3: An Adventure in the USA with Mom

1. Introduction: "Home of the Brave" (15 minutes)

• Find the USA: With Mom, Arturo finds the United States on the map. Point out how big it is and find your home state.
• Meet the Flag: Look at the American flag. Count the 13 stripes together (for the first 13 states) and talk about the 50 stars (one for each state today). Mom can explain the colors: red for courage, white for purity, and blue for justice.

2. Culture & Celebration (30 minutes)

• American Symbols: Look at pictures of important American symbols. Tell the story of the Statue of Liberty being a gift of friendship from France. Look at pictures of the powerful bald eagle.
• Sing a Song: Listen to and sing a simple American folk song, like "This Land Is Your Land" or "Yankee Doodle."
• Taste of the USA: Make a simple, classic American snack like apple slices with cinnamon sugar.
• Holiday Highlight - Fourth of July: Talk about this holiday as the "birthday" of the USA. Look at pictures or videos of fireworks and parades.

3. Creative Time (30 minutes)

• Flag Craft: Arturo creates the American flag. He can use red and white paper strips and a blue square. Use star stickers for the stars to make it easy and fun.
• Start the USA Shoebox: Get the final shoebox. Arturo can glue his flag inside. He can draw fireworks on the walls with bright markers or make a small Statue of Liberty out of green modeling clay to place inside.

Culminating Projects: Show What You Know!

This is where Arturo brings all his learning together in two fun, creative projects.

Project 1: The "World Tour" Shoebox Dioramas

Goal: To fill each country's shoebox with items and drawings that represent what he learned.

Instructions:

1. Gather all three shoeboxes. Brainstorm together what else could go in each box. For México, maybe a small guitar cutout or a monarch butterfly. For Cuba, a drawing of someone dancing salsa. For the USA, a picture of a bald eagle.
2. Arturo uses crayons, clay, and paper to create these small items and adds them to the correct box, creating a 3D scene.
3. The Grand Presentation: Arturo gives his family a "tour" of his shoeboxes. He holds each one up and explains what he put inside and why. This is a chance for him to share his favorite parts about each country.

Project 2: The Family Band Instrument

Goal: To create a musical instrument from recycled materials inspired by the music of México, Cuba, or the USA.

Instructions:

1. Choose an Instrument: Talk about the music you heard. Which instrument would be fun to make?
   • Maracas (México): Fill a small plastic bottle or sealed cardboard tube with rice or beans. Tape it shut securely and decorate with paint and streamers!
   • Claves (Cuba): Find two sturdy cardboard tubes of the same size. Decorate them with paint or markers. Tap them together to create a rhythm.
   • Guitar/Banjo (USA): Stretch several rubber bands around a small, open shoebox or tissue box. Strum them! Glue on a cardboard tube for the neck.
2. Build and Decorate: Give Arturo time to build his instrument with help as needed. The most important part is decorating it to make it his own.
3. Family Jam Session!: Put on music from all three countries. The whole family can sing and dance while Arturo proudly plays his brand-new, homemade instrument!