Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

July 20, 2022, 11:44 a.m.

Empowering young people to paint murals in public spaces

Summary

Phoenix-based painter and muralist Lalo Cota has made his mark through his vibrant imagery that fuses together life, death, sombrero-shaped spaceships, Mexican folk art and lowrider culture. In collaboration with Alhambra Elementary School District art teacher Candace Greene, Cota has grown his practice in a way that now invites students of all ages to co-create with him in public spaces throughout the Phoenix metro area.

Five Facts

  • Why does Lalo Cota choose to paint skulls?
  • Who is Candace Green and why is she interviewed in the video?
  • How many murals have been painted by Cota and the students?
  • Where is the most recent mural that the kids worked on?
  • What part of the mural is Cota painting throughout the video?

Focus Questions

A lot of what ends up painted on the mural described in this story is up to the students. What are the benefits of letting the students decide? What would be the subject for the mural if you got to decide? What word would you write and what would the theme be? Media Literacy : What did interviewees Hannah and Elijah say was their favorite parts of painting the mural? How did their interviews provide additional insight into the benefits of the mural project?

For More

See this Daily News Lesson on a Phoenix dance Troupe using music to connect to performers' African roots. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/07/how-this-african-dance-troupe-use-performance-as-a-form-of-a-self-care/ See this Daily News Lesson to learn about a dance company founder broke down financial barriers for Latino teens. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/07/dance-company-founder-breaks-down-financial-barriers-for-latino-teens-pursuing-professional-dance/ See this Daily News Lesson to learn about how elementary school students are paying homage to the Native Americans who lived on their land. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/07/how-this-elementary-school-paid-homage-to-local-kumeyaay-tribe-through-mural/
Ella Cohen, a rising junior at Washington-Liberty high school and intern at NewsHour Classroom, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Vic Pasquantonio. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning of the school year. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on today’s lesson.

Recent Daily News Lessons

youth

Daily News Lesson

Youth sports become big business, putting stress on families

Discuss the impact of business on youth sports and how they could be made more accessible for all

afd

Daily News Lesson

Far-right political party win in Germany raises alarm in Europe

Discuss the impact of Germany's far-right party winning elections in the eastern part of the country

economy-1

Daily News Lesson

US jobs market strong despite inflation and global pressure

Discuss how the economy is being shaped by policy and global events

economy

Daily News Lesson

Prolonged Iran war impacts global economy

Learn about the broad impact of the war in Iran on the economy in the U.S. and elsewhere

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward