Journal 2007[1]. Coverpage


 

43 

Cinco de Mayo- A pre-K Play 
 

Ana Maria Garcia-Gomez, MA 
 

 CINCO DE MAYO—A PRE-K PLAY (Outdoors or Indoors) 
Cast:  General Zaragoza and 5-15 Mexicanos/as in sombreros:  “Napoleon III” with same 
number of “French Soldiers” in fancy uniforms and Triangle hats. Flag holders may dress as 
Benito Juarez, Maximiliano and Carlota. 
 
Scene:  The battlefield (anywhere), the Mexicanos and the French facing each other in two rows 
about 6 feet apart, the narrator (proud teacher) holds the microphone in front with 2 (shy or quiet) 
students on either side, holding an American flag and a Mexican Flag.  (a third student can hold a 
French flag) 
 
Narrator:  On Cinco de mayo, 1862, a long, long time ago, the French went to Puebla México 
to take over the land.  The French thought that since everyone in Europe said they were one of 
the best with their fancy hats and fancy uniforms, that the Mexican people would be happy to 
have the French rule them.  Do you think the Mexicanos wanted the French to be their boss? 
(Wait for the crowd to respond No!)  This is what happened…These are the French in their 
pretty uniforms.  These are the Mexicanos in their work clothes.  They were tending their crops 
when the French came. (Mexicanos are bent as though they are planting; French take two steps 
closer to the Mexicano row.) 
 
A Mexicano and a French Officer, by pairs, step up to the narrator to say their lines.  After, they 
pass by their respective rows and rotate to the end of the line. 
 
1st. French Officer (dressed as Napoleon III):  We came to rule you. 
1st. Mexicano dressed as Zaragoza: ¡No, nos puede gobernar! 
2nd. French soldier:  Give me your land. 
2nd. Mexicano: ¡No te doy mi tierra! 
3rd. French soldier:  Give me your money. 
3rd. Mexicano:  ¡No te doy mi dinero! 
4th. Pair and so on:  Give me your… house, farm animals, wife/husband, children, 
girl/boyfriend (for a chuckle), toys, clothes etc. (Students may compose their own lines). 
1st. Officer ( Napoleon III) and Zaragoza come back to the Narrator, Officer:  If you don’t give us 
your land then we’ll fight! Zaragoza:  Entonces, vamos a pelear…(Both lines pretend to fight 
without touching; the French fall down, the Mexicanos march around proudly waving their 
arms). 
 
Narrator:  The Mexicanos won!  They showed others that you can’t just take things! 
¡Viva México!  Later, the French came back and did take México but once again they were 
driven away. After that, they made friends with México. (French stand up and shake hands with 
the Mexicanos).  Then, they had a celebration! (all may join in dancing La Raspa/La Molina; 
students march off hand in hand). The end.    
 

 



 

44 

                 CORRIDO A CÉSAR CHÁVEZ 
 

Cuando me dicen -- ¡Viva la Causa! 
Yo les contesto--¡Viva César Chávez! 

Y cuando la causa llega a la lucha 
Yo les recuerdo--¡Viva también Dolores! 

 
Cuando la lucha es pesada y es largo el camino, 

Podemos mirar las flores, 
Gracias a César, los campesinos, 

 y no se olviden de los trabajadores. 
 

1927 nació el Santo en que tanto confiamos, 
1965 fue la marcha que en Delano reconquistamos. 

Es una lucha de justicia, que une a la gente de todas las razas y edades 
Gracias a César--¡Viva la Causa! ¡Seguirás en los corazones! 

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 
BALLAD TO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ 

 
“Long live the Cause!” is the shout I hear,  

Reminding me of my César dear, the Great César Chávez! 
And when the cause gets rough, we’re tough enough  

Because we still have our Dolores.  
 

Though the road winds on for hours, we can still see the flowers, 
Thanks to César and those who work the soil.  

The struggle is hard but the cause is just and very much worth our toil. 
 

1927 he was born, but not so forlorn, for this man he won our trust. 
1965 we marched and although the road was parched, 

Our boycott they couldn’t bust! 
 

The Cause is right so we’ll show our might 
All ages and races united.  

Thanks to Cesar and us, who ban poisonous dust, 
Together we can’t be divided! 

 
___________ 
 
Both pieces, Cinco de Mayo- A pre-K Play and Corrido a Cesar Chavez were submitted by Ana 
Maria Garcia-Gomez.  Ana Maria Garcia-Gomez is now a retired teacher, after working for Head 
Start and LAUSD as a teacher for many years.  Throughout her career as a teacher, Ana Maria 
completed an MA degree in Urban Education-Bilingual and got her National Board Certification as 
a teacher of English as a New Language and Early Childhood.  Ana Maria has also been an active 
member of AMAE for many years and an active member of the East LA community.