Introduction
Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to outfits and clothing choices. With endless possibilities and combinations, it's not difficult to come up with your own look! Think about how many different styles you and your friends represent on a daily basis, I bet it's a lot!
Many different countries and cultures have their own traditional clothing styles as well as modern styles. Can you think of anything that might be considered a part of a traditional North American outfit? It's important to remember there are many varieties of traditional clothing depending on the culture that you are learning about. What are some of the differences in your clothing choices in comparison to traditional clothing of the United States?
Now that we've learned a little about Guatemalan culture in general, you will work with your group to explore and discover all the parts of a traditional Mayan woman's outfit. Prepare to be amazed with how many variations, styles, secret messages and more you'll encounter!
Task
Your job today is to work with your group to discover all of the different parts and styles of a traditional Mayan woman's outfit. Each person will work their way through the steps of the webquest, sharing information as you go. Make sure to check in with each other as you are working to be sure everyone has all the necessary information!
You'll learn about the different parts of a traditional outfit, the differences in regions and designs.
You and your group will even work as detectives as you decode secret messages hidden in the Huipil!
At the end of the webquest you and your group mates will be experts in the traditional outfit to the point you will even be able to design your own unique version! Each member of the group will be responsible for designing and explaining their own version of a Huipil.
Process
1. With your group, take turns reading the letter "Desde Chichi" (paper copy - electronic version here slide 1) out loud that gives basic information about the parts of a traditional Mayan woman's outfit. When you are finished with the reading, complete the questions sheet on the back.
2. Next your group will research different parts of the outfit and compile the information each of you has learned so that everyone has a completed worksheet. Go to coloresdelpueblo.com, and assign each member of the group a different item to research using the navigation menu on the left: Cintas & Fajas (2 people), Cortes (1 person), Huipil (1 person). Once you have decided on who is researching which part, take notes on your part to share with your group.
3. Explore this site (coloresdelpueblo.com) a little more before you leave. Scroll through the Huipiles page and choose one that you like! Sketch it out on your worksheet (slides 2+3), including color, and write down a few important points about it: what region/area is it from? how much does it cost? what are some of the colors, shapes, animals, designs, etc that are on it?
4. Now it's time to dig a little deeper into the Huipil! Read the article out loud with your group (paper copy - electronic version here slide 4), use a dictionary to look up any unknown word that you can't figure out from context. Complete the comprehension questions with your group when you've finished reading. Are there any colors or designs that stand out to you?
5. Take some time to review the pictures on the slideshow and discuss, in Spanish, with your group all of the items on each slide. Make sure to include colors, designs, materials, personal opinions, etc in your discussion.
6. Last piece of the puzzle is to complete an EdPuzzle with your group! This one is tough so make sure you are working together and using your resources to help you! In this interview, Norma explains a lot about what the colors and designs of a huipil could potentially mean, depending on which region one is from. As a group, watch the EdPuzzle together and complete the questions as you go. You will definitely need to use a dictionary and rewatch sections to get all of the information! By the end of the EdPuzzle you should have a clear idea of what different colors represent in a traditional Huipil. The EdPuzzle is listed as an assignment on Canvas.
7. What's your Huipil like? Now it's time to use all that you've learned to design your very own unique Huipil! Be sure to review the rubric to make sure you've included all requirements. Once you've finished drawing and coloring your Huipil, write a description of it (in Spanish) to describe the colors, animals, designs, etc that you chose and why. Submit your final product on Canvas to be graded.
Evaluation
The Rubric for this assignment is linked to the assignment on Canvas. As you are working keep the following criteria in mind:
1. Group Cooperation - working together to discover and share information in a collaborative and productive way (1-5 on Rubric)
2. Accuracy of Information - making sure your group found all of the correct information for each of the parts of the webquest (1-5 on Rubric)
3. Creativity, Neatness, Final Product - this part of the rubric is individual and will be based on the drawing of the Huipil that you created. Make sure you have followed the individual requirements for this part of the assignment and that your final product is neat, colored in, drawn correctly and is visually appealing.
4. Written Description - this part of the rubric is individual and will be based on the written description of your personal Huipil. You will be graded on the content and descriptions, grammar structures, vocabulary, spelling, accents, elaboration/detail, etc. See the assignment details and rubric on Canvas to refer to as you are writing.
Conclusion
Now that you and you're group have explored and learned about the different parts of a traditional Mayan woman's outfit, take it one step further and discuss these questions with your group after taking a couple of minutes to jot down notes:
- What are some similarities (2-3) and differences (2-3) between a traditional Mayan outfit and the clothing you typically wear?
- What are your thoughts and opinions on the different meanings of the use of colors, shapes, animals, etc in the Huipil?
- Do you know of any other type of clothing that has "hidden messages" embedded in its designs?
- In the EdPuzzle and one of the readings you learned that there are almost an infinite number of possible Huipil designs, why is this true?
Once you have discussed with your group, come back to the whole group to share thoughts, opinions, findings with the rest of the class!
If you are interested in learning more check out this TED talk "The Danger of a Single Story"
Credits
Teacher Page
Don't forget to submit your final drawing and written description on Canvas to be graded!
¡Gracias!