Bring Hispanic Heritage Month to Life
Celebrate the cultures and traditions of those who can trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. September 15 marks the start of the celebration and is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16, Chile on September 18.
Study the contributions of Hispanic artists and writers, such as Pam Muñoz Ryan and Frida Kahlo. Learn more about holidays celebrations, such as the Mexican Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo.
Share stories of the Hispanic American experience:
- Tales of Latin-American Traditions (Grades K-8)
- Pura Belpre Award 2000s (Grades PreK-12)
- Pura Belpre Award 1990s (Grades PreK-12)
Articles
Instructor Magazine | From Aztec math to Carnival masks, these ideas are easy to put together and offer students the chance to celebrate their own heritage while appreciating the uniqueness of others.
by Marissa Ochoa
Teacher Advisor Marissa Ochoa encourages her ELL students to share cherished items from home that represent their Hispanic culture during this month-long celebration.
by Marissa Ochoa
Teacher Advisor Marissa Ochoa shares activities to commemorate the achievements of Cesar Chavez.
Activity Plan 3-4: La Fiesta!
by Risa Young and Robin Smith
Early Childhood Today |
November ,2005
Children make paper-bag maracas and sing the lyrics to a Spanish song. They also cook tortilla wraps and read books about Latin American cultures.
Puerto Rico
Scholastic News Online |
October 17,2007
According to a 2006 U.S. Census survey, nine percent of the people of Hispanic-origin are of Puerto Rican background. Learn more about culture and history of this island commonwealth.
Hispanic Heritage Books and Resources
A selection of Spanish language books, professional books, Web sites to learn more about the accomplishments and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
Activities
Interactive timelines, scavenger hunts, and other learning fun all about Hispanic Americans. This page includes a link to the Hispanic Heritage Homepage and teacher's guide as well.
Meet the people and explore Argentina, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.
Resources
Build a love of of reading and learning with paired fiction and nonfiction -- online! In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the featured pair is Chato and the Party Animals and Mi Barrio, My Neighborhood.
Suena a Color: Celebrate Latino Heritage
Through reading, writing and art, students will explore the Huichol people of Mexico's views on community and nature. Your class will create a mural that expresses a community vision.
Lesson Plans
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
Students discover the contributions and rich cultures of Hispanics in the United States through a variety of research, discussion, and writing activities.
Magnificent Mexico
by Andrea J. Spillett
Unit plan created from a teacher's experiences backpacking in central Mexico. Includes classroom crafts.
Let's Travel to Mexico!
by Gayle Berthiaume
Kids learn hands on about Mexican culture, crafts, and cuisine in this lesson unit. They even learn to match Spanish words with pictures.
Esperanza Rising Unit Plan
Uses the beloved novel Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan as inspiration to improve student's writing skills. Students use story starters and historical fiction journal writing as a background.
