TeachersFirst National Hispanic Heritage Month Resources
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, provides an excellent opportunity for educators to highlight the rich cultural contributions and diverse histories of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. This curated collection of resources is designed to support teachers in creating engaging, informative lessons that explore the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic heritage in the United States and beyond. By incorporating these resources into their curriculum, educators can help students appreciate the significant impact of Hispanic cultures on American society, foster cultural understanding, and celebrate the achievements of Hispanic Americans in various fields.
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Latin America - The Kennedy Center
Grades
K to 12tag(s): crafts (90), cultures (269), dance (41), holidays (246)
In the Classroom
Inspired by El Salvador's traditions, students can create simple puppets and act out folktales or original stories, combining art, storytelling, and culture. Watch videos of Bolivian folk dances and discuss the significance of the costumes and movements. Students can then design their own cultural costumes or masks using paper and craft supplies. Introduce students to instruments like the cuatro and maracas. Have them create their own rhythm patterns with classroom percussion instruments and learn a traditional song.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Five(ish) Minute Dance Lessons: Latin Dance - The Kennedy Center
Grades
3 to 12In the Classroom
After each lesson, have students write or draw in a dance journal. They can reflect on how the dance made them feel, list new vocabulary (e.g., basic steps or Spanish terms), and sketch the dance moves. The journals can be created digitally using Book Creator, reviewed here. Watch videos from different Latin dance styles (Salsa, Cha-Cha-Cha, Merengue) and create a Venn diagram using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here or a chart to compare their rhythms, origins, and movement styles. Once students are familiar with a few styles, encourage them to choreograph their own short Latin dance routine using the steps they've learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Flamenco - The Kennedy Center
Grades
3 to 12In the Classroom
Play the Kennedy Center video and have students imitate Alice Blumenfeld's flamenco movements -- clapping (palmas), footwork (zapateado), and posture. Pause frequently to review and practice each part. Explore the roots of flamenco in Spain and its influences from Romani, Moorish, Jewish, and Andalusian traditions. Have students create an infographic using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here or a cultural heritage poster explaining flamenco's origins. Since flamenco expresses deep emotion (duende), have students write a short poem inspired by its movement and mood. Encourage them to present it alongside simple claps or foot taps for dramatic effect.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dancing Bachata - The Kennedy Center
Grades
3 to 8In the Classroom
Watch the Kennedy Center video as a class and follow along with the steps. Allow students to practice in pairs or small groups to build confidence and develop a sense of rhythm. Have students build on the basic steps by choreographing their own short Bachata sequence. They can present it to the class, integrating counts and movement patterns. Introduce traditional Bachata music and analyze its instruments and rhythms. Students can clap, tap, or use classroom percussion to replicate the beats.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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An Ember that Blazes Forever (credit to Justice Sonia Sotomayer) Contributions of Hispanic Amer - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (160), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (269), hispanic (54), holidays (246)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this article as a resource for finding books and classroom activities to celebrate and recognize the Hispanic community throughout the school year. As students learn about Hispanic characters, ask them to use Animate Characters from Adobe Express, reviewed here to easily create a short video telling that person's story. As an alternative to a living wax museum, conduct a gallery walk in your classroom to share the many stories of members of the Hispanic Community. Learn how to create a gallery walk by visiting this TeachersFirst blog post, Using AI to Plan and Implement Gallery Walks, found here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Unveiling Hidden Stars: remarkable Latino contributions in the history of the United States - UnidosUS
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): hispanic (54)
In the Classroom
Create cards with the names of lesser-known Latino figures on one set and their contributions on another. Students can work in pairs or small groups to match them correctly. As a class or in small groups, have students build a visual timeline featuring the historical events and figures mentioned in the article. Use Sutori, reviewed here or Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here and include images, dates, and impact statements. Students can review their current history textbook's index or chapters to see how (or if) Latino contributions are represented. They can compare it to information from the UnidosUS article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Facts about US Latinos - Pew Research Center
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): cultures (269), hispanic (54), population (54)
In the Classroom
Post key statistics from the article around the classroom. Students can rotate in pairs or small groups, reading and discussing each fact. Use prompts like "What surprises you?" or "Why might this be important?" Students write a short argumentative essay using statistics from the article to support a claim such as "Latino contributions are essential to the future of the U.S.". Using the article's breakdown of Latino origins (ex., Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban), students create a U.S. map showing where different Latino populations are most concentrated. Consider completing the map online using Google My Maps, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Celebrating the Culture and Contributions of Hispanic Americans - U.S. Department of Commerce
Grades
5 to 12In the Classroom
Students can continue to investigate the contributions of Hispanics in the United States. Students can interview a Hispanic worker and/or business owner. Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post questions or comments after reading the article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Power of the Purse: The Contributions of Hispanic Americans - New American Economy
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
Students can continue investigating Hispanics in the job market and owning their own businesses. Students can interview a Hispanic worker and/or business owner. Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post questions or comments after reading the article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Coyote Story - Crow Animations
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): native americans (131), stories and storytelling (71)
In the Classroom
Have students retell the story of Coyote and the ducks using illustrations or puppets they create. Encourage them to focus on the sequence of events and the lessons learned. Challenge students to write their own Coyote story, following the traditional format using Book Creator, reviewed here or on paper. Assign students to research the Ojibwe people, focusing on their storytelling traditions, culture, and history. They can present findings as a poster or a multimedia presentation using Canva, reviewed here or Visme, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hispanic Heritage Month - National Education Association
Grades
K to 12tag(s): central america (26), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (269), dance (41), hispanic (54), south america (80)
In the Classroom
Have students select a country from the Hispanic world and research its culture, traditions, and famous figures. They can create a presentation or a digital poster to share with the class, allowing students to explore diverse aspects of Hispanic heritage using a platform such as Canva, reviewed here. Using a large map of Latin America and Spain, have students pin locations based on historical events or contributions of notable Hispanic individuals discussed in class using a resource such as Google My Maps, reviewed here. Invite a guest speaker from the local Hispanic community or arrange a virtual field trip to a Hispanic cultural center or museum. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music and dance styles like salsa, flamenco, or mariachi.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Museum of the American Latino - Smithsonian
Grades
K to 12tag(s): art history (103), cultures (269), hispanic (54), virtual field trips (135)
In the Classroom
Using the Smithsonian Latino Center's digital collections, have students choose a cultural artifact. Examples could be a piece of art, clothing, or an important document. Have students explore the virtual exhibits and collections from the Smithsonian Latino Center. Afterward, they can create a digital or physical gallery walk, selecting their favorite pieces or artifacts and writing brief descriptions. Host a classroom or school-wide event where students explore various aspects of Latino culture, from music and dance to food and traditions. Students can collaborate to create a short performance or video that encapsulates what they've learned or invite local Latino artists or community members to share their experiences.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Famous Latinos and Latinas - National Museum of the American Latino
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
After visiting the website, students can create a Google Slide, reviewed here, or Book Creator, reviewed here about a person that is listed on the site to share. Students can also use School AI, reviewed here to have a conversation with the person. Finally, students can have a classroom debate as to who is the most influential Latino or Latina.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hispanic Heritage Month Art Lesson Ideas - Art With Trista
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): artists (92), central america (26), cross cultural understanding (178), hispanic (54), mexico (50), picasso (4), posters (43), south america (80)
In the Classroom
Although some of the artist summaries include links to purchase lessons, the information on this site provides an excellent starting point for learning about Hispanic artists and suggestions for student art projects. Use Figjam, reviewed here to create a collaborative presentation for students to explore the works of the artists mentioned on this site and others. Include links to videos and articles that provide biographical information on the artists and tell more of their stories. Extend learning by asking students to select an artist and create a work in their style. Share student projects throughout Hispanic Heritage Month to learn more about each artist and the different types of art represented in their works.Comments
Thank you for these ideas! I am an elementary school teacher, and we are celebrating HHM this week. I love the idea of introducing Hispanic artist to students through their style of art.Karla, GA, Grades: 3 - 5
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Hispanic Heritage Month - Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artists (92), central america (26), cross cultural understanding (178), dance (41), hispanic (54), south america (80), women (184)
In the Classroom
Include this site with other resources you use to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Find additional ideas at the TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Hispanic Americans' Contributions to American Culture, reviewed here. As students learn about Hispanic countries, use MapHub, reviewed here to create interactive maps with photos of important locations. Take students on a virtual visit using Google Arts and Culture, reviewed here to learn more about Hispanic locations, culture, and significant members of the Hispanic community using "Hispanic" as a keyword search.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cesar Chavez: Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist Video - PBS Learning Media
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): agriculture (50), hispanic (54), migration (46)
In the Classroom
Create a free PBS Learning Media account to add this video and resources to a learning activity. Then, easily add questions related to the video on a slide presentation that includes the video and other resources from PBS or your device. Assign Learning Media lessons to a class you create, to Google Classroom, or get a quick assign code to share with students to access the lessons without signing in. Creating and assigning a task with several learning activities works well with flipped and blended learning activities. Extend learning by asking students to research and learn about other Hispanic leaders. Ask them to share their knowledge by creating interactive images using Genially, reviewed here, explainer videos using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, or podcast episodes hosted on Buzzsprout, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teaching Central America: Teaching Ideas for Elementary - Teaching for Change
Grades
K to 6tag(s): book lists (160), central america (26), ecosystems (99), hispanic (54), migration (46)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save Teaching Central America as a resource for finding multicultural books and lessons to include in your classroom for Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year. Organize your saved bookmarks using Padlet, reviewed here. For example, create a column that includes your saved ideas for teaching about Central America, another for the Caribbean, and one for South America. Use Google My Maps, reviewed here, either as a class or with groups of students, to create interactive maps of places students learn about in Central America. Add links to your website or a column to the Padlet for class-created activities, informational articles, and videos that extend learning beyond the resources shared on this site. Some of the teaching materials include correlation to standards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Kennedy Center Dance Collection - The Kennedy Center
Grades
K to 12tag(s): chinese new year (4), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (269), dance (41), hispanic (54), jazz (17), native americans (131), poetry (192), stories and storytelling (71)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many free resources on this site to add dance to music lessons and cultural units and enrich topics featuring people and places worldwide. Each resource includes tags, and the lessons include suggested grade levels, use these links to find additional resources for classroom use. As you include information from this site, use an online whiteboard tool such as FigJam, reviewed here, to engage students in learning. For example, add a link to a video from the site about a featured artist and ask students to share their learning or post questions to explore further. Ask students to share their understanding using one of the many tools found Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. For example, ask students to create a website of a featured dance style, while other students create a video sharing dance and cultural information about their chosen group of people or country.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Treks: The Distance Between Us - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 9tag(s): hispanic (54), identity (36), immigrants (49), mexico (50)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many suggested classroom uses for this resource found on the Instructional Guide (PDF). After reading this book and completing the activities found in the Reading Trek, ask students to document their identity using a tool like Odyssey, reviewed here. Use Odyssey to create a map-based story that includes images, text, videos, and photos. Find more ideas for teaching identity at this Discover My Identity Lesson Plan, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Treks: Esperanza Rising - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 6tag(s): 1920s (25), 1930s (40), great depression (32), hispanic (54), immigrants (49), racism (80)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many suggested classroom uses for this resource found on the Instructional Guide (PDF). This book and the suggested activities work well as part of lessons on racism and living conditions in the 1920s and 1930s on Mexican farms. Consider using the historical information and primary sources from the book to have students create timelines of the important events during the story. Find a variety of free online timeline creation tools located here. Use Google My Maps, reviewed here to create and share custom maps. As students conduct research related to life on Mexican farms during the 1920s and 1930s, use Fiskkit, reviewed here as a collaborative discussion tool. Use Fiskkit to share the link of any online article with students, then the site's tools provide the opportunity to highlight and add comments to areas within the article by users.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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