Mexican cultural traditions: A project-based approach to exploring the humanities and human connection in the classroom

This workshop will empower teachers to experiment with art projects which will motivate students to become informal researchers and cultural anthropologist of their own environment and create connections with other students. Teachers will learn multiple low budget art projects that will inspire students to research about their ethnic background, family origin, language, and traditions. These projects are based on ancient and modern cultural traditions of Mexican art and its connection with other world traditions like day of the dead, trees of life and retablos. We will experiment with a variety of hands-on projects combined with narrative elements, poetry, creativity and problem solving. Our goal is that by cultivating connections, deepening understanding, and exploring our complex human experience we will create more harmonious classroom environment.