Lesson Plan: Chocolate, Ceramics, and Colonialism in Eighteenth-Century Mexico

This lesson includes a sequence of three types of activities which can be facilitated by the teacher or assigned to students to complete asynchronously. In sequence, these activities build student engagement from increased awareness, as they observe the work, to understanding of the artwork and artist as well as their cultural and historical context. Students are further encouraged to make connections between the work of art and their own lives and experiences. All activities are framed by the essential question(s) of the lesson, and support student voice and multi-modal learning. 

• Look activities promote sustained observation, active listening, and curiosity. (5-10 minutes per activity)
• Explore activities provide opportunities for students to consider further contextual information, including diverse perspectives, and to challenge their assumptions. (15-30 minutes per activity) 
• Respond activities engage creative expression, self-reflection, and synthesis of ideas. (15-30 minutes per activity)

How has colonialism shaped trade, technology, and culture (or cultural identity/practices)?

This content is adaptable for use by 6th through 12th grade students.

Next Generation Social Science Standards

Human-Environment Interaction: Place, Regions, and Culture

D2.Geo.4.6-8. Explain how cultural patterns and economic decisions influence environments and the daily lives of people in both nearby and distant places.

D2.Geo.7.3-5. Explain how cultural and environmental characteristics affect the distribution and movement of people, goods, and ideas. 

Common Core Literacy Standards  

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7

Draw information from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1

Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it: cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

National Core Arts Standards 

Visual Arts: Responding, Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work

Enduring Understanding: Visual imagery influences understanding of and responses to the world.