Help the children make passport-size booklets using white copy paper and construction paper for the cover. Each day of the unit, focus on a different Spanish-speaking country. For instance, on Mexico day, play mariachi music, talk about Mexican customs (such as the pinata for birthdays -- bring one in if you have one), have children try the Mexican hat dance and have them do a Mexican craft, such as a God's eye yarn weaving. At the end of the day, if children have completed all the activities, put a stamp in their passport for that country.
Have children help you make a simple pinata by placing layers of papier mache (strips of newspaper soaked in a flour and water mixture) over a large balloon. Once the balloon dries, decorate it with strips of colorful crepe paper. Cut a small hole in the bottom and fill the pinata with candy. Have a birthday party for the whole class, and explain that in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, the pinata is the high point of children's birthday parties. Hang the pinata with rope (preferably outside) and let children take turns hitting it with a bat.
Give each child a small water bottle. Have them fill it with a tablespoon or so of beans or rice. Help children fasten the caps securely. Paint the bottles with watered-down glue and then cover them with small pieces of tissue paper in bright colors. Once the bottles are completely covered with tissue paper, have children give them a final coat of watered-down glue. After the bottles dry, play Latin music (mariachi, tango, salsa, merengue) and let the children dance and shake their maracas to the beat.
Explain to the class that May 5, or Cinco de Mayo, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the Battle of Puebla, in which Mexican forces defeated French forces that had occupied the city. Have a burrito bar, with tortillas, refried beans, cooked ground beef, tomatoes, cheese and lettuce, and let children assemble their own burritos. Play musical chairs using Mexican mariachi music. Play bingo, but call it cinco (make the cards beforehand). Have children guess how many beans are in a jar (you have counted them beforehand). The winner gets a prize.