I had so much fun researching this post! Learning about Mariachi music is a wonderful way to explore the Mexican culture. I hope you find some resources below that help you teach your students about this unique art form - from the distinctive costumes they wear to the instruments they play.
This post contains book affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, MommyMaestra receives a small commission so I can buy more books for my own kids.
Lesson Plans
- Elementary music educators may love this lesson plan on Música Mexicana.
- Teacher Vision has a nice introduction to Mariachis on their site.
- Kid World Citizen has another nice description of Mariachi music.
- Music Genre of México: Mariachi! (Interactive Lessons) by Nora Hernandez on TpT also looks excellent
- Smithsonian Folkways has a great lesson plan for 9th through 12th grade.
- Also for older students, PBS News Hour has this excellent article on the long, tradition-breaking history of all-women mariachi groups
Printables & Online Learning Materials
- Mariachi Coloring Pages w/short descriptions (K-3rd)
- Mariachi 1-Page Reading Passage w/comprehension questions (grades 4-8)
Activities & Crafts
- Education.com has this great little coloring page
- Coloring Book 4 Kids also has a couple of adorable coloring pages
- If you are just looking for some songs for your students to listen to, here are some free short MP3 samplers
- I absolutely LOVE this Mariachi band out of cardboard paper tubes and tissue paper! The website with the tutorial no longer exists, I think. (At least I can't pull it up!) But I am linking to an image on Pinterest for inspiration. I bet you can figure out how to make them just by looking at it.
- And to make your own Mariachi guitar: This one is in miniature (for older crafters), but Make It, Love It lists 10 different ways to make cardboard guitars.
Books
(affiliate links)
- The Best Mariachi in the World by J.D. Smith
- Los Mariachis by Rita Rosa Ruesga
- La Fiesta y el Mariachi by Marta Arroyo
- The Lost Mariachis by Julie Schoen
Videos
Well, of course, you know I can't put together this post without showing a few videos, especially one of my favorite little charro, Sebastien! Below are three very different Mariachi bands playing in their own unique styles.
And for little children, here's an excellent video, "If I Had a Mariachi" by 123 Andrés:
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
- New Mariachi Video from Disney Featuring Mariachi Cobre
- Mariachi Flor de Toloache
- Vicente Fernández Reading Passage
- Resources for Celebrating Selena Day
- Flamenco Lesson Plans, Activities, and More
