Integrating Holidays: Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, is a day celebrated in America as a day of heritage and pride. In Mexico, primarily in a town called Puebla, it is a holiday called, El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla).In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is not Mexico's independence day-that is September 16th. Here are a few books you will enjoy to check out.

So what fun literacy things can you and the kiddos do to recognize and celebrate Cinco de Mayo? How about sing about it? Here are some songs you can read and sing along together to familiar children's tunes. And of course, cook up some Mexican food and enjoy a great meal. All Around Puebla (to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel) France invaded Mexico In 1862, Thinking they would march, march, march, march Right into Mexico City. But what they had not counted on Was General Zaragoza Who ordered his men to fight, fight, fight, fight, Fight for their freedom. So all around Puebla The Mexicans chased the French, Until the last French soldier gave up – Cinco de Mayo! Cinco de Mayo (to the tune of Are You Sleeping?) Cinco de Mayo, Cinco de Mayo, The fifth of May, The fifth of May Is the anniversary Of a great victory For Mexico. For Mexico. Today’s a Day to Celebrate (to the tune of London Bridge) Today’s a day to celebrate, Celebrate, celebrate, Today’s a day to celebrate Courage under fire. The Mexican Army, they were poor, They were poor, they were poor, The Mexican Army, they were poor, But that did not stop them. They followed orders and charged ahead, Charged ahead, charged ahead, They followed orders and charged ahead, Routing the French forces. A great victory they did win, They did win, they did win, A great victory they did win In the Battle of Puebla. Today’s the Fifth of May (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell) Today’s the fifth of May, “Cinco de Mayo,” we say, Let’s join hands and sing and play – It’s Cinco de Mayo today.