Poetry Break - Spring

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alarcon, Francisco X. 1997. Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems = Jitomates Risuenos y otros poemas de primarvera. Ill. by Maya Christina Gonzalez. San Francisco: Children’s Book Press. ISBN 0892391391

INTRODUCTION
Show the students pictures of a Cinco de Mayo celebration or parade. Do not tell them what they are looking at, but rather ask them what they think is going on in the pictures. You may choose to give them a few clues to help the students make more informed guesses.

Cinco de Mayo
by Francisco X. Alarcon

a battle
in some
history books

a fiesta
of music
and colors

a flag
waving
occasion

a flirting
dance
and a piñata

orchata
corn chips
and guacamole

a mango
with some chile
and lemon

a cry
of joy
and spring

yes, summer
vacation is just
around the corner!


Notes below poem:

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrating a victory of Mexican patriots over an invading French army in Puebla, Mexico, the fifth of May, in 1862.

Orchata is a tasty rice drink.

EXTENSION:
Read a short article about Cinco de Mayo (can be found using online encyclopedias or databases). Give the students information about what Cinco de Mayo is and why it is celebrated. If there are any Hispanic students in the class, have them describe how they celebrate Cinco de Mayo. You may also have a student who can read in Spanish (or if you are able) read the Spanish translation of this poem.