Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Americans who have ancestry in countries that speak Spanish, including Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. It was started as a way to celebrate the contributions of Americans who have come to the United States from Spanish-speaking countries. Today's blog has ideas and resources* to help educate and celebrate Hispanic Heritage in our schools.
DID YOU KNOW?
There are 62.1 million Hispanic Americans, and this is around 19% of the U.S. population.
Books by Hispanic Authors
- Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra
- Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
- Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales
- Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Miguel Benítez
- The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes
- Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres
- The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
- Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
Share a mini geography lesson on a few well-known Spanish-speaking countries. Whether you take a spin around the classroom globe, pull out a world map, or download maps online, students will better understand Hispanic Heritage Month lessons with visuals of the countries you are referencing. National Geographic Kids also has some great resources about Spanish-speaking countries.
Learn more: National Geographic Kids Mexico; National Geographic Kids Spain
Language
Though the accent and slang may be different, there are 21 countries whose dominant language is Spanish. Show six-minute YouTube Video below to middle and high school students so they can see and hear the differences in these Spanish dialects.
Learn more: Spanish Dialects Around the World on YouTube
Culture
From lawmakers, advocates, and artistic creators to entertainment superstars, Hispanic Americans are making a huge impact in today’s society. Explore the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art online, where students can learn about famous and influential Hispanic Americans.
Learn more: Molina Family Latino Gallery Virtual Tour at the Smithsonian: National Museum of the American Latino
Music
Music sparks enthusiasm and curiosity about a culture. Within Hispanic culture, Latin music is known for its rhythm. Play different types of Hispanic music to teach the various types of music, and give students a foundation for exploring Hispanic music further.
Try it: Classic Spanish Songs You Need to Know from Spanish Mama
Folklórico, also called baile folklórico or ballet folklórico, is a traditional style of dance that originates in Mexico. Women wear colorful long skirts and long-sleeved blouses. Their hair is usually up in braids and accented with ribbons and/or flowers. Show students clips of folklórico dancers or invite folklórico dancers in your community to put on a short performance at school.
Art
Frida Kahlo was an influential, now-iconic Hispanic artist. Tour her house, La Casa Azul, and study her art in this virtual tour.
Try it: Virtual Tour of La Casa Azul
Learn more: The Story of Frida Kahlo from The Art Story
*Most of the ideas and resources above come from We Are Teachers. Below are additional links to consider.
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