OBJECTIVE

Students will be able to describe the cultural importance of the the Oaxacan festival “Noche de los Rabanos”. They will practice key vocabulary, design and carve or paint a radish.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Why is there a city-wide festival dedicated to radishes in Oaxaca?

MATERIALS NEEDED

Class One:

Noche de los Rabanos slideshow for class

Noche de los Rabanos slideshow with notes
Radish Carving Planning Sheet

Class Two Materials dependent on what students outlined in their planning worksheet. We used: 

• Daikon radishes with leaves attached (around 45 various sizes) a local farm supplied radishes free of charge as it was their cover crop
• Various carving tools (different types of knives, toothpicks, spoons)
• Various types of dried seeds & flowers (beans, lavender, marigolds, etc. ) 
• Paper plates 
• Toothpicks 
• Cutting boards 
• Compost bins for each table/station 

PROCEDURE

Class One: 

Introduction:

Show slideshow & ask class what they think we will be exploring today after looking at the picture & title. Ask students to translate the festival, breaking up the phrase word by word.

Go through the slideshow and use the included notes to explain how the festival is set up and what sorts of sculptures teams create. The slideshow includes images and videos to give context and more detail about this festival. Note: the times for the videos are included in the slide notes.

Activity:

After slideshow, explain that we will be carving our own radishes next class. We need to plan our carvings just like the contestants do.

Project worksheet onto the board & go through step by step what is asked. Go through an example of how you would answer each question. Explain to students that their exit ticket is a sketch and list of materials needed for the next class.

Go around & help students brainstorm. One strategy to engage students is to have them interview each other.

Class Two: 

• Gather students around a central table. Walk them through how to safely carve a radish, modelling with whatever you would like to carve. It’s a good idea to set expectations for using tools & consequences if these aren’t followed. 
• Pass around their planning worksheet to each student so they have a chance to reacquaint themselves with their design. When they are ready, have them come up to the materials table & tell you what they need. Then they can find a spot to begin carving (where cutting board is already set up)
• Supervise while carving. When finished, have them put it on paper plate on display table. Take a picture. Then have students help others if time.
• Gallery walk to end class & tell them to look out for their photo/display in the school!

* If knife use is a concern in the class, then the planning and sculpting can all be done with paint! It is just as effective and students still have an opportunity to share what is important to them through paint.

Wrap up/Assessment
Display radishes and/or photos in the school newsletter, in the hallway or foyer of the school.