Cinco de Mayo

Bloomfield Hills Schools students learned that Cinco de Mayo celebration is actually celebrated more in the U.S. than in Mexico as it has become a day of pride for those of Mexican heritage. Cinco de Mayo is a day that commemorates the victory of 2,000 Mexican soldiers against 6,000 French troops at the Battle of Puebla in Mexico in 1862.

Spanish classrooms across the district celebrated Cinco de Mayo in unique and at varying levels by teaching students popular Mexican recipes, displaying traditional holiday clothing, discovering interesting trivia, studying famous artists, and appreciating the beautiful Mexican culture.  

At BHMS, Spanish teacher Ranin Atassi, decorated the classroom in brilliant colorful colors and dressed festively, creating a fun learning environment as students studied the history of Cinco de Mayo. Jennifer Valbuena showed students how to make delicious salsa, salsa verde, and guacamole prepared in a molcajete. A molcajete consists of a large mortar (cup shaped receptacle) and pestle (a heavy tool with a rounded end)made from volcanic stone. 

Conant 1st grade students found out that 80 million pounds of avocados are consumed on Cinco de Mayo. They enjoyed dancing to traditional Mexican music too!  Conant 3rd grade students studied artist Diego Rivera and his famous piece of art, Flower Festival: Feast of Santa Anita.

Bloomfield Virtual and Way students employed Visible Thinking routine Know-Want-Learn chart activity to study the history of Cinco de Mayo holiday and celebrate Mexican culture. Spanish teacher Susan Farah explored the art of Frida Kahlo and took a virtual tour of her home in Coyoacán, Mexico City. Also discussed was the self portrait painted by Frida Kahlo, and how she painted her beloved Diego Rivera on her forehead. Students then drew self portraits and included someone special in their lives, drawn on their forehead. Many students chose to draw their mothers, and will give their portraits to their mothers on Mother's Day.

West Hills Spanish Club students prepare “chocolate caliente”, which is Mexican Hot Chocolate. Spanish teacher Rachel Salisz teaches students to use “canela” or cinnamon with chocolate using a traditional wooden stirring spoon called a “molinero”.

Thank you BHS Spanish teachers for bringing Mexican culture and traditions to life in the classrooms!