More Fun: Activities, Videos, and Related Content
Cross- Curricular Activities
Math
Create “BaseTen” sticks by gluing 10 beans on a popsicle stick. Children can practice counting by tens or work on one-to-one correspondence.
Study measurement and beginning fractions: 1/2, 1/4, 3/4, etc. then1/2 + 1/2 = 1; 1/4 + 1/4 +1/4 = 3/4, etc.
Science
Demonstrate how sounds change by putting one rice grain in a tube, shake and listen; add more grains, shake and listen; repeat with black beans. What do you predict? Why are the sounds different?
Research “hummingbirds” and look at the many different species. What makes this bird unique in the Cuban culture?
Support student observation and scientific query; pose questions about the physical changes between cooked and raw rice and beans.
Social Studies
Explore Latin America with your students. You can access an interactive map with puzzle games at www.yourchildlearns.com/mappuzzle/central-america-puzzle.html
Practice map skills by locating Cuba on the classroom map or globe. Help students identify the capital, Havana. Explain that Havana is a major port city. What is port? What natural resources are exported out of Cuba?
Have students work in small groups to research Cuban culture. Each student should be responsible for one of the following aspects: customs, music, language, food. Check out these Cuban facts and info!