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Book author
See Melania

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Learn language and culture longer-term

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BEANS!- Common beans in various food dishes; compare flavors & foods; cups during lunch to sample (similar to apple activity- sampled, charted in math);

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Indigenous & Afrolatino

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Students love to participate in celebrations of all kinds-and some of the most exciting lessons for kids involve learning about traditions that may be new to them. As we seek to be more inclusive of all cultures, it's important for kids to learn about the patchwork that makes the U.S. one nation with many different cultures.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 through October 15 in recognition of Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society. In areas of education, science, technology, government, and arts and culture-to name just a few-Hispanic influence is innovative and far-reaching. National Hispanic Heritage Month activities for students of all ages allow them to learn about, celebrate, and acknowledge the history and heritage of Hispanic Americans.

A sense of togetherness embodies the Hispanic spirit, which is why Hispanic Heritage Month often celebrates family ties and culture. Family does not just include relatives but also friends and neighbors. Music and food-there are so many traditional dishes to try-also play an important role in the festivities.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a great celebration for all because there's always something new we can learn from one another, and we can appreciate the impact of Hispanic culture on our nation as a whole. Each of us uses words daily that are of Spanish origin-such as tomato, ranch, canyon, and more-often without realizing it.

Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plan Ideas for School

These nine Hispanic Heritage Month lessons and activities enable students to explore Hispanic culture and history in the United States.

Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Elementary Students

Activity 1: Watch and Discuss the Mendez Family

Have your students watch this HISTORY ® video about the Mendez family. Then, conduct a discussion in class. For Grades K-3, you could discuss why it's essential to recognize the Mendez family and the actions they took that made a difference.

For Grades 4-5 students, have them write a short research paper about the relevance of the Mendez family in the fight for ending segregation in schools. They could use the internet to gather relevant information, then produce and publish their writing and share it in class.

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A Celebration of Culture: 9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students

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Use these National Hispanic Heritage Month activities and lesson ideas to honor Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society.

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History of Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the community's history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America.

Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968. With the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction in the 1960s. Awareness of the multicultural groups living in the United States was also gradually growing.

Two heavily Latinx and Hispanic populated areas, the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, were represented by Brown. His aim was to recognize the integral roles of these communities in American history. Observation of Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later extended to a 30-day celebration by President Ronald Reagan, starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law via approval of Public Law 100-402 on August 17, 1988.

September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza or Columbus Day also falls within this month, on October 12.

Hispanic Americans have been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. Their contributions to the nation are immeasurable, and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic-American community has left an indelible mark on the U.S. culture and economy.

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Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the community's history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America. Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E.

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Including Indigenous history in Latin America 

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Including Indigenous history in Latin America 

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Once a month or week (can be all year). Inviting families to learn about different countries, read aloud a book from hispanic authors and/or famous hispanic persons, watch movies etc.

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Movie in Spanish

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Parents and/or staff can cook traditional food for staff luncheon.

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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more.

ELEM/MS/HS activities

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No matter our color, ZIP code, or language, we want all our children to have a public education that imparts honesty about who we are, the integrity in how we treat each other, and the freedom to pursue our dreams.

Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a time for those of Hispanic and Latino descent to celebrate their cultural roots but also an occasion for people from all backgrounds to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Despite efforts by some politicians today to whitewash history, to restrict our freedoms to teach and to learn, throughout our history, Hispanic and Latino communities have left an indelible mark on the fields of art, music, literature, science, politics, education, and countless other domains. Their enduring legacy is not only a source of pride for those who share this heritage but also a source of inspiration for all of us who recognize the power of diversity in shaping our shared humanity.

Through this list of curated resources, books, lessons, videos and activities, we invite you to explore, learn, and celebrate the vibrant heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities to our world.

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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more.

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Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off!
Flag march
Dance group (High School/University)

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Full-Class discussion and learning, exploration of countries, nature, geography

Potential LA/SS lessons for older students

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Teach Spanish phrases over announcements

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Teach Spanish phrases over announcements

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Pull one card per weekday

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4K-5 Movie Night - Invite families for an evening movie night. Also, bring a food truck or ask families to bring authentic food for sale.

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For staff appreciation, we made paper flowers but they can be made for classroom decorations or just as a take home project, also mini piñatas are pretty easy to make, a little messy and may take a full week depending on time.

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Learn how to make tissue paper flowers with the help of this step-by-step photo and video tutorial. This is your ultimate guide to making, hanging, and decorating with tissue paper flowers!

Have you ever made tissue paper flowers? They are such an easy, inexpensive craft and can be used in so many different ways. This article is the ultimate guide to everything you want to know about tissue paper flowers. I'm sharing ALL of the information you need in one place!

How do you make tissue paper flowers?

Instructions

1. Stack several layers of tissue paper neatly in front of you. (Refer to sizing chart below)

2. Starting at the short end, accordion fold 1 inch sections of the tissue paper until the whole length of the tissue paper is folded together.

3. Secure the center using a stapler. Be sure the staple goes through all layers of the tissue paper.

4. Use scissors to shape both ends of the tissue paper. Scroll down a bit to see a chart of different ways you can cut the ends and how the flower will look.

5. Fan out the folds and begin separating each layer. Fluff and shape the flower until it looks pretty.

Just in case any of that was confusing, I've put together a short video tutorial so you can see exactly how to make tissue paper flowers.

How do you make BIG flowers out of tissue paper?

You can easily make tissue paper flowers any size you want by adjusting the starting width of your tissue paper and how many layers you use. The larger the flower, the more layers it needs. Here is a handy reference chart to give you an idea of sizing. The first number is how wide the tissue paper is after you've accordion folded it. The second number is how many layers of tissue paper you should use.

How do you make different tissue paper flower shapes?

It's easy to change the look of your tissue paper flowers by changing the way you cut the ends and how thick you make the folds. I folded tissue paper flowers four different ways below and the four resulting flowers look completely different!

I cut very large petals on the first flower and folded slightly thicker folds and the resulting flower is fluffy and larger scale. The second flower is the very classic scalloped edge. The third flower has pointy edges and the fourth flower has fringe-cut edges.

Another way you can change it up is by folding more than one color of tissue paper together like I did in the last flower example above. Layer a smaller strip of tissue paper over a larger strip to have a different colored flower center or layer different colors that are all the same size for a striped or ombre effect. There are so many different possible variations. Let your imagination go wild!

How do you make tissue paper pom poms?

In my mind, tissue paper flowers are flat on the back and tissue paper pom poms are ball-shaped. There are two ways to make a tissue paper pom pom that is nice and round. You can either make two flowers the same size and attach the flat sides together to get a nice sphere -or- double the number of tissue paper sheets you start with. Sometimes this still leaves the finished shape a little less than perfectly round, so I prefer attaching two flowers together.

How do you hang tissue paper pom poms?

Here are several ways to hang your newly-made tissue paper pom poms:

Before fluffing the tissue paper (between steps 4 and 5 above), tie a ribbon or fishing line around the middle of the folded tissue paper right where the staple is. After you fluff the tissue paper, the string will be accessible for hanging. I love these clear Command Hooks (affiliate link) that are specially made for party decor. I used them to hang the tissue paper flowers and paper lanterns in one corner of my craft room. See the photo below.

Use masking or packing tape to attach flat-backed tissue paper flowers to the wall temporarily.

If you would like to display the tissue paper flowers long-term, use push pins or Command Strips to attach them to the wall. Tape may come undone over time. Just hide the push pins in the fluffy parts of the tissue paper and they won't even show.

Where's the best place to buy tissue paper?

Dollar Tree is my favorite place to buy tissue paper, but if you are planning to make a hundred tissue paper flowers for a wedding or something, I suggest buying it from Amazon because they have the best color selection. There are plenty of different sellers, but the target price you're looking for is about 5-7 cents per sheet. Dollar Tree's tissue paper is 4 cents per sheet, but it comes in limited colors.

How do you decorate with tissue paper flowers?

This is the fun part! There are so many different ways to use tissue paper flowers. Below are a few creative ideas from around the web. Click on the links below each picture for more information about each tissue paper flower project.

See why I love tissue paper flowers so much? They are just so inexpensive and versatile and pack a visual punch! Go ahead and give them a try the next time you have the creative itch.

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Tissue Paper Flowers: The Ultimate Guide - The Craft Patch

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Learn how to make tissue paper flowers with the help of this step-by-step photo and video tutorial. This is your ultimate guide to making, hanging, and decorating with tissue paper flowers! Sizing guides and shape variation ideas are also included!

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All Around This World's classroom and homeschool lessons for kids teach Latin American dances through experience, engagement and FUN.
All of these multimedia lessons are available for purchase through All Around This World's page on TeachersPayTeachers.com or for free for students who take class each week online with Jay.

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Learn Latin dances with your kids -- All Around This World

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All Around This World's classroom and homeschool lessons for kids teach Latin American dances through experience, engagement and FUN. All of these multimedia lessons are available for purchase through All Around This World's page on TeachersPayTeachers.com or for free for students who take class each week online with Jay.

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Inside: Get a free printable map of the 21 Spanish speaking countries. Plus, see a list of their capitals, country flags, how to say the nationalities, and more. The Spanish language spans four continents, as the official language of 21 countries. With close to 500...

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The Ultimate Guide to Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

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Inside: A collection of Hispanic Heritage Month activities and ideas for schools or to celebrate at home. National Hispanic Heritage Month occurs every year in the United States, from September 15th to October 15th. It's a month to celebrate the achievements of famous Hispanic Americans, along with everyday people and families.

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A colorful and clear Spanish classroom set that includes the following:A Rainbow Calendar Kit (for posting the date, weather, season, clothing, etc.)Spanish Classroom Objects LabelsSpanish Question Words PostersSpanish Learner PostersBilingual Schedule CardsSpanish-Speaking Countries Flag BannerCale

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Printable Flag Banner from Spanish-Speaking Countries in Spanish and English

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These bright flags are a simple way to decorate a bulletin board or add some color to your Spanish classroom. **Please note that the flags are a representation of each country's flag, not an exact replica, and are sized two to a page. ...

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LEARN ABOUT THE SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES:FREE Hispanic Heritage Month Project -Country Research Brochure Google Classroom (ELM/MS)

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LEARN ABOUT THE SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES:FREE Hispanic Heritage Month Project -Country Research Brochure Google Classroom (ELM/MS)

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This is an editable outline you can give students to gather basic facts about the country they choose. Includes a detailed rubric!
(English, Upper Elementary and up)

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FREE Hispanic Heritage Month Project -Country Research Brochure Google Classroom

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Looking for a simple and easily accessible project for Hispanic Heritage Month? This freebie includes a brochure template to be filled out after completing research on a Hispanic country’s traditions. Within the freebie, you will have a rubric that students can use to self assess their project and t…

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

The Best Mariachi in the World/El Mejor Mariachi del Mundo

"Everyone in Gustavo's family is in a mariachi band-- everyone except Gustavo, that it. They all play violines, trompetas and guitarrones. They all make wonderful music in restaurants and at wedding parties. Gustavo would love to join the band,... Google Books

Originally published : 2008

Mar 22, 2019 · storytimewithannmarie #TheBestMariachiintheWorld #ilovereading The Best Mariachi in the ...
Duration: 8:06
Posted: Mar 22, 2019

Oct 30, 2020 · UTRGV Story Time: The Best Mariachi in the World ... UTRGV graduate student Uriel Gongora ...
Duration: 5:29
Posted: Oct 30, 2020

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the best mariachi in the world - Google Search

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Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. The Best Mariachi in the World/El Mejor Mariachi del Mundo "Everyone in Gustavo's family is in a mariachi band-- everyone except Gustavo, that it. They all play violines, trompetas and guitarrones. They all make wonderful music in restaurants and at wedding parties.

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all & supportive of sped students: Short wordless films representing or displaying Hispanic cultures

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all & supportive of sped students: Short wordless films representing or displaying Hispanic cultures

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Have students explain what is happening in the video and then lead a discussion about what the class saw in the video

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Can we please work to bring back EL Family Holiday Night? This event had taken place pre-covid. The event took place in December. Our EL families and guests provide a potluck. Santa comes and there are activities for children (usually run by HS clubs). Unfortunately, not many staff members came.

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Back in 2010/2011, there were some events where the college student groups: Latinos Unidos and International Student Association were invited to talk about their culture at the middle school. We also did a dance performance with the high school dance group at the time and performed at the high school during a school wide event. We also did an event at Starin park with the same high school dance group and the EL teacher at the time, Ms. Cervantes. We did traditional folkloric dances. If we wanted to do something like that again, we could involve ISA and LU groups from campus again. I did folkloric dances for 4/5 years so I'm open to teaching kids/staff. :)

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Discovering the World Through My Son's Eyes

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As part of our Discovering Guatemala with Kids Series we made the Guatemalan worry dolls also known as muñecas quitapenas in Spanish. They are traditional Guatemalan toys, and according to legend children tell one worry to each doll when they go to bed at night and place the dolls under their pillow. In the morning the dolls have taken their worries away.

I followed the instructions on how to make the worry dolls from Creativity in Motion. She has a step-by-step picture instructions that was very helpful.

I bought wooden clothespin, colorful yarn, and I already had the pipe cleaners. The kids were indeed excited to make them, but after wrapping the yarn halfway they got tired. (So I suggest this activity for older kids) They each picked a color and made their worry dolls. My son made one with pants because it was a boy, and the girls made theirs with skirts. Cute!

You can also try making the worry dolls entirely of pipe cleaners (chenille stems) click here for the instructions.

We've been having so much fun learning about Guatemala! Our next post in the series is about the authentic Guatemalan dresses!

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Hispanic Inspired Crafts for Kids - Discovering the World Through My Son's Eyes

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Best Children's Books About Guatemala - The Barefoot Mommy

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month | Orlando Parents Family Fun Magazine

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Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 - ALSC Blog

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Kid Made Guatemalan Worry Dolls: Muñeca Quitapenas

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As part of our Discovering Guatemala with Kids Series we made the Guatemalan worry dolls also known as muñecas quitapenas in Spanish.

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LEARN ABOUT THE SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES- VIDEO (ELM)

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LEARN ABOUT THE SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES- VIDEO (ELM)

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Learn the Capitals of Spanish-Speaking Countries.

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Learn Capitals of Spanish Speaking Countries with BASHO & FRIENDS - Paises hispanohablantes

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Inside: Hispanic Heritage Month Music Madness. A music bracket for Spanish class to mix up the fall and celebrate the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.
Why Music for Hispanic Heritage Month?

You all know I have been posting about using authentic music in Spanish class for years. It goes way back to my original ideas of música miércoles & baile viernes in 2014, as well as the very popular yearly March music bracket mania musical.

Early in my career as a Spanish teacher, I realized I need to do a better job celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in my Spanish classes. It is a great time to specifically celebrate the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. I did a post with a lot of ideas for HHM here Hispanic Heritage Month, but was on maternity leave the entirety of September 15-October 15 when I posted it.

One Song From Each Spanish-Speaking County

While on maternity leave in the fall of 2016, I created a popular resource, 1 Song from each Spanish-speaking country. It has 22 songs, one for each of the school days from September 15-October 15. My original idea was to play one song each day of HHM. That would give the chance to specifically focus on each country. But, the next year with I used HHM version 2, I decided to use it as a Hispanic Heritage Month music bracket.

When I posted about my HHM fall Spanish class music bracket on social media, the idea took off. Many teachers started using my 1 song from each Spanish-speaking country slide as a bracket in their classrooms. Since then, I have created a new version each school year including version #3, 2019 version #4 & the 2020 version #5, HHM6 version for 2021, HHM7 for 2022 & The NEWEST 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Music Resource!

Which HHM Music Bracket Set should I get?

Money Saving Bundle - You can now also get all 9 HHM music sets for a deal. This is a growing bundle and the best possible deal if you want diverse music to use all year long. All versions have a mix of classic songs and current hits. But, how do you pick which version to use for this fall?

The 2023 Fall HHM Bracket - The NEWEST 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Music Resource (on TPT) has the most up-to-date music. This will be the version that many teachers will be using for fall 2023. The brackets do not need to be done in any kind of order or start with version 1. You can start this year for the first time with the newest HHM8 version (also available in my store) for the most diverse music selection yet.

Young Students - By request, if you teach younger students or at a more conservative school, check out YOUNG 1 song from each country instead! It has a mix of my most appropriate songs from HHM1-6. Or get all young music brackets together here in this Young Music Bracket Bundle

How can I use this 1 song from each country slideshow for HHM?

Here are ideas of how you can use these songs this year, from the least time commitment to the most.

0 class time - Song of the day Transition for Hispanic Heritage Month

My English teacher BFF next door picks one song each day to play loudly in her room during our four-minute passing time. She writes the song and artist on the board and plays it as soon as the bell to end class rings. As soon as the bell to start class rings (or the song ends), the song is turned off and no instructional time is used. Her students are VERY into it and come to check the song before they even have class. This would work great for Hispanic Heritage Month, playing HHM8 version for 2023 each day. I bet the tradition will continue after October 15 as well 🙂

3-5 minutes - Para Empezar Class Starter

Use the first 3-5 minutes of each class during HHM to play a 1 song for Para Empezar. You can quickly mention where the song is from, using a map to show where in the world it is. Depending on the level, you can also evaluate the song, from a basic "(no)me gusta" in level 1, to a more elaborate critique in upper levels. Or you can use the free voting form to have students self-reflect on the song of the day.

3-5 minutes Cantaninja Brain Break

Using Martina Bex's Cantaninja procedure, you can have a student pick when during each class the song is played. They yell Cantaninja! and everyone stops what they are doing to watch the song of the day. (Usually, that person picks the song, but during this month you could just play the next song). If you would rather have more control over when your brain breaks, just plan to play this song at a good breaking point. If using it as a brain break, I would let students walk around, dance, and move, just as long as they are watching and listening.

6-10 minutes - Country of the day - adding in travel videos too - NEW

By request, in addition to playing a song each day, some teachers wanted to do more to introduce each country of the day. I created slides that have the country, capital, nationality, two maps, flag, and a video for all 22 Spanish-speaking places. You could combine it with your song of the day slideshow to really dig deeper into each place for Hispanic Heritage Month. *Update get the newest 2023 country slides in my shop or on TPT. Learn more about using these travel slides in this blog post.

Or if you want multiple options for each country, you could get the culture slides bundle.

NEW - Chat about Music

If you want to chat about these songs in Spanish, check out the new blog post Talk About Music in Spanish Class. Use these New Music Question Cards to chat about music and to discuss songs you listen to. They would work well in later rounds of your bracket when you want to mix it up.

Country of the day - dig deeper

If you have more time to dedicate to Hispanic Heritage Month, you could go even deeper. In addition to playing your song of each day and travel video each day of HHM could be dedicated to a different country. You could bring in guest speakers, food, research, dance, and use other elements of culture.

One idea is to split up the countries or artists/groups of each song, and have students do some research on the song, artist, country, etc. These could be shared around the room gallery walk style, or even in the hall or somewhere in the school, to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month school-wide.

Hispanic Heritage Month music bracket in Spanish class

How the Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket started

The idea of an HHM bracket credit goes to the awesome Sarah Whisenhunt. When she got version 2, she told me she had a head-to-head playoff/bracket in mind for version 2 songs vs. version 1 songs. So the OG HHM Music bracket idea actually included 44 songs, 2 songs from each country.

Since I was gone during HHM in 2016 on maternity leave in 2017 I decided to do a Hispanic Heriatage music bracket. But for the sake of time only used 1 song per country. The lack of symmetry got the best of me with 22 songs competing. No, it is not an even match for every song. Yes, my board looked like packman. No, I did not allow enough space for this board and everything was crunched.

The OG Fall Music Bracket Bulletin Board

To be efficient, instead of putting all of the song titles as I do during March madness, I just reused Spanish-speaking country signs that I already had in my filing cabinet (yeah hoarding!) that I am pretty sure came from this unit. I wanted it to put more of an emphasis on the songs' related country. The all orange country bulletin board below was the 1st annual Mis Clases Locas Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket.

We watched 2 videos per day and had all classes' votes combined to decide who moved on. We started September 15 and using just one slideshow, there were 20 matchups. The students LOVED the fall music bracket and it became a yearly tradition after that.

How to set up your own Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket Bulletin Board

Above was my bracket for 2018 (& my later versions look basically the same!) I got new country posters from Miss Maestra Cassie, whom she generously shared for all future HHM brackets. The country labels are on the instructions page of each slideshow.

Print the included country labels on colored cardstock. To make it more colorful, I made each page a different color, but you could make them all the same color if you prefer.

Put the country labels up first. I like to use a ruler to try and make things symmetrical.

Make the bracket. Depending on what surface you are putting the bracket on skinny colored duct or masking tape works best. I have also used colored cardstock strips of paper stapled to the board in a pinch to make a bracket.

Print the country labels small (I do 4 sets of 4 to a page) for later rounds. I print them all right away and then have it as a student job in the last class to staple up the winner.

No time or space for a bulletin board?

During fall of 2020 I added a new digital Google Slides bracket to each slideshow. This way teachers could use the bracket for virtual learning. Or you can just project the bracket instead of having to make a bulletin board. This is a great option for traveling teachers without a classroom.

How to use the Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket?

Pick 1 song from each country slideshow to use. Each year I used the newest 1 song from each country slideshow. HHM8 version for 2023 or YOUNG 1 song from each country

The basic idea is to listen to one pair of songs each day. All of my classes always voted together to see who moved on. We typically started class with our songs. On occasions like the day of an assessment, we might have waited and used it as a brain break or at the end of class.

Introduce the 1st song and country. In Spanish, I introduce the 1st country, song, artist, and nationality. Then we watch the 1st video. Depending on how much time we have, we might discuss the song as a class and how we feel about it. (Or some people wait & do more discussion in later rounds)

We repeat this for song two, introducing the song and watching the video.

Vote - We typically just voted by a raise of hands and tally. I do have a free voting form if you need more accountability and each student to write. You could collect votes as a quick exit ticket. I also used Google forms for students to vote while we were Hybrid. Google form voting also works well in later rounds if you run out of time to watch the videos again as a class.

What about later rounds in the Spanish class music bracket?

Many teachers have different variations of what they do each round of a music bracket. For example, I know a teacher whose round 1 only plays the audio, in round 2 play the video, and then in later rounds does other activities with the song like these New Music Question Cards. See this blog post for song activity ideas.

Personally, I always start round 1 with the introduction of the song and the music videos. There is so much culture to be found in a music video. Especially when the goal is learning more about diverse countries and people, I find the videos to be important. The first round always takes me longer, so make sure you allow for about 10 minutes of class the 1st 2 weeks or 10 matchups.

In later rounds, depending on how much time you have, you can either move faster, or you can dig deeper.

If you run out of time, later rounds could consist of you posting a Google Form with videos included for students to watch and vote on their own time or for homework.

If you want to dig deeper pick one of the song activity ideas to do each of the following rounds. For example, if the song has a zumba dance that goes with it, project and dance along. Once you get to the final 4 or championship, hype it up by learning about the artist, or enjoying food from that country. Or New Music Question Cards to support an interpersonal activity or assessment.

Optional Handout - Sra Penaranda created a student handout for students to fill out about each song. You can get it here for free.

If you use my bracket, please share pictures and tag me on social media so I can see who is winning!

How do I get the newest Hispanic Heritage Music Bracket?

Want more details on how to use the Hispanic Heritage Music bracket? Watch this video &/or the Youtube video below about what to do with a song & music brackets.

Want more music? Free Music Slides

Sign up below & they will be emailed to you

This post was originally published on 9.6.17 by Allison Wienhold of Mis Clases Locas and was most recently updated 8.28.23.

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Inside: Hispanic Heritage Month Music Madness. A music bracket for Spanish class to mix up the fall and celebrate the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Why Music for Hispanic Heritage Month? You all know I have been posting about using authentic music in Spanish class for years.

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Install the Google Arts & Culture app to explore virtual reality tours from Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino.

Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Washington, DC, United States

This summer, we will open and operate the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History. The 4,500-sq. ft. gallery will be the Smithsonian's first museum space dedicated to the Latino experience on the National Mall. The Molina Family Latino Gallery is a precursor to the National Museum of the American Latino and foreshadows what a Latino Museum could embody.

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Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino, Washington, DC, United States - Google Arts & Culture

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Install the Google Arts & Culture app to explore virtual reality tours from Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino. Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino Washington, DC, United States This summer, we will open and operate the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History. The 4,500-sq.

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Elementary - Comparing cultural holidays grades 3-5

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Elementary - Comparing cultural holidays grades 3-5

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In this 3-5 lesson, students will explore the holiday traditions, music, and art of Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Students will create an altar in memory of a loved one.

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Photos and information from the follow sources: DC Murals Project, Carlos Arrien, Jorge Somarriba, Ligia Williams, Juan Pineda, Karlisma, Smithsonian Latino Center, Latin American Youth Center, and the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. © Hola Cultura. All rights reserved.

http://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=c3a8b421467c4b47aeec8475d30987d3

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DC Latino Street Murals: A Virtual Tour - Google Arts & Culture

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History, cultural information, pledge in Spanish

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Purchase candy from La Preferida or Wal-Mart Delavan has a great selection. My students LOVED trying new candy!

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Conoce la Historia del Mes de la Herencia Hispana

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Students love to participate in celebrations of all kinds-and some of the most exciting lessons for kids involve learning about traditions that may be new to them. As we seek to be more inclusive of all cultures, it's important for kids to learn about the patchwork that makes the U.S. one nation with many different cultures.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 through October 15 in recognition of Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society. In areas of education, science, technology, government, and arts and culture-to name just a few-Hispanic influence is innovative and far-reaching. National Hispanic Heritage Month activities for students of all ages allow them to learn about, celebrate, and acknowledge the history and heritage of Hispanic Americans.

A sense of togetherness embodies the Hispanic spirit, which is why Hispanic Heritage Month often celebrates family ties and culture. Family does not just include relatives but also friends and neighbors. Music and food-there are so many traditional dishes to try-also play an important role in the festivities.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a great celebration for all because there's always something new we can learn from one another, and we can appreciate the impact of Hispanic culture on our nation as a whole. Each of us uses words daily that are of Spanish origin-such as tomato, ranch, canyon, and more-often without realizing it.

Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plan Ideas for School

These nine Hispanic Heritage Month lessons and activities enable students to explore Hispanic culture and history in the United States.

Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Elementary Students

Activity 1: Watch and Discuss the Mendez Family

Have your students watch this HISTORY ® video about the Mendez family. Then, conduct a discussion in class. For Grades K-3, you could discuss why it's essential to recognize the Mendez family and the actions they took that made a difference.

For Grades 4-5 students, have them write a short research paper about the relevance of the Mendez family in the fight for ending segregation in schools. They could use the internet to gather relevant information, then produce and publish their writing and share it in class.

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A Celebration of Culture: 9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students

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Use these National Hispanic Heritage Month activities and lesson ideas to honor Hispanic American contributions and influences in our society.

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Sharing Our Hispanic Heritage: Ideas for the Classroom & Community

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Sep 23, 2015 - A blog about raising a multicultural child in a very diverse world. Diversity, culture, bilingualism, heritage.

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Hispanic Heritage Month Resources | National Museum of the American Latino

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Explore this collection of resources for Hispanic Heritage Month.

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Colorín Colorado celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with dynamic booklists, classroom activities, and multimedia resources. These are great materials for the curriculum year round!

For more great ideas, see our resource section on "Día," or Children's Day/Book Day ( El día de los niños/El día de los libros).

Booklists & Awards

Booklists for Children and Teens

Our Hispanic Heritage collection features more than 50 booklists for kids and teens, including lots of award winners!

Meg Medina's novel Merci Suárez Changes Gears won the 2019 Newbery Award and Matt de la Pena won in 2016 for the picture book Last Stop on Market Street.

Book awards celebrating Hispanic Heritage

To see additional books that have won other recent major awards, see the following lists:

Meet the Author Interviews

Take a look at the interviews with the following authors, poets, and illustrators in our Meet the Authors section!

Many of their books are available in Spanish or in bilingual formats.

Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans

Resource collections

Grades K-5

Grades 6-12

Multimedia Resources

Related Headlines

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Colorín Colorado celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with dynamic booklists, classroom activities, and multimedia resources. These are great materials for the curriculum year round! For more great ideas, see our resource section on "Día," or Children's Day/Book Day ( El día de los niños/El día de los libros).

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First Question: What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place annually in the United States from September 15th to October 15th. This month-long observation is about "celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America," according to the official government website.

Beginning in 1968, it was originally recognized as "National Hispanic Heritage Week" before being extended to the month-long observation in 1988.

The month also coincides with Independence Day celebrations of several Spanish-speaking countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile, and Mexico.

Many schools and teachers agree it's important to teach children of all ages about Hispanic Heritage Month. Doing so helps children learn about and celebrate different cultures. It also helps them to understand that it's important to respect and appreciate the uniqueness of others.

The Emergence of Terminology: Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx

During the last 50 years, a few pan-ethnic labels have emerged to describe Americans with ancestors from Mexico, Spain, and Central and South America.

The U.S. federal government first used the term Hispanic in the 1970s when asked to collect information of the population by Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups.

The term Latino emerged in the 1990s when there was a movement against the term Hispanic due to its close ties to Spain.

Finally, in recent years there has seen a rise in the term Latinx to describe the population as it's regarded as more inclusive.

However, according to a Pew Research Center study completed in 2020, the majority prefer the term Hispanic, or one based on the country of origin, over other pan-ethnic labels. But this may change over time.

So, how can I help preschoolers celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

There are a variety of things parents and teachers can do with their niños pequeños to celebrate this occasion. We've listed some Hispanic Heritage Month preschool activities below to help you and your children get started.

Twinkl Tip:

Many of these activities are also suitable for older children. Why not encourage them to get in on the fun and learn something too?

1. Learn Some Spanish

Learning a foreign language has many benefits. It can help build communication, critical thinking, and listening skills, to name just a few.

And since young children are like sponges, they're ready to absorb anything and everything.

So, why not introduce them to some Spanish words? You can try familiar phrases, or help them count up to ten. You can even point to something, say what it is in Spanish, and ask your children to guess what the word means.

If you're looking for materials to support your lessons, there are plenty of teacher-made resources available on our website. Simply download and share with your children.

FREE Spanish Immersion Teaching Pack - This little pack of resources has plenty of punch and is a great starting point. ¡Brillante!

Spanish Greetings PowerPoint - Teach your children familiar Spanish greetings with the help of this colorful presentation.

Spanish Numbers 1-10 Posters - Use as a reference when teaching little ones Spanish numbers up to 10.

Los Colores Posters - Help your children learn the Spanish words for different colors, like rojo (red) and verde (green). These printable worksheets can be a coloring activity, too - great for a rainy day or for some quiet time!

2. Read a Picture Book

Reading is a fun activity that you can share with your preschool children on a daily basis. Plus, reading Spanish picture books can be a wonderful way to help children (and adults) learn words, rhythm, sounds, and even culture.

There are many bilingual picture books available that can be purchased or borrowed from the library. Here are a few suggestions you can curl up to and enjoy with your children:

Abuela by Arthur Dorros

¿Qué Puedes Hacer con una Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla

Cuadros de Familia by Carmen Lomas Garza

Cantando De Colores by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein

Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer

Dragones y Tacos by Adam Ruben

3. Make Piragua or Paletas

If you haven't yet tried either of these cold treats, definitely set aside some time to make these with your children.

Piraguas are a type of Puerto Rican snow cone. They consist of shaved ice and a fruit-flavored syrup. Even better, they're a cinch to make.

You can purchase syrup from the grocery store, but it's also fairly easy and delicious to make from scratch. You can use strawberries, cherries, and even lemons!

My daughter loves lemons, and during the warmer months, we make these "slushy lemonades" using shaved ice, lemon juice, lemon zest, water, and sugar. Why not ask your preschoolers which flavor they'd like to try? You can give them a small role too. Many will be happy to "chip in" and help!

If you'd like to try something with a bit more fruit, paletas are just the ticket.

Paletas are a frozen Mexican dessert made with fresh fruits and a creamy or water base. It's similar to a smoothie, but molded, frozen, and served on an ice pop stick instead. You can make any type of paletas - strawberry and yogurt, watermelon with water and lime juice, and more. The options are limitless! Many recipes are available online.

All you need are some ingredients and ice pop molds. And away you go!

4. Try a Hispanic-Inspired Dish

We love Hispanic and Latino-inspired dishes in our household. They tend to be bursting with fresh flavors, well-balanced, and are easy to make. Many dishes also only need one frying or baking pan, which saves from washing multiple dishes when cleaning up. Win-win!

So, throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, why not share a few dishes with your children? Not only can it be a great learning experience, but it's a great way to expand your children's food palate. Young children can even help with making a few dishes. Try our No-Bake Mexican Recipe Booklet for easy inspiration.

Alternatively, below is a list of a few traditional Hispanic foods you can try:

5. Play a Game while Listening to Songs by Hispanic and Latino Artists

Give classic party games like musical chairs or freeze dance a Hispanic twist by listening to artists with Hispanic and Latino roots. Even simply clearing some space in the living room and having a "dance party" at home can be a great way to appreciate music from these artists.

See what fun moves your children (and even you!) can do while listening to the beat. It's a great way to get the heart pumping and the legs moving while having fun at the same time!

Twinkl Tip:
As you listen to the music, why not use this as an opportunity to learn a Mexican folk dance? Or even try some cha-cha or salsa dancing moves? ¡Olé!

6. Make Maracas

If you'd like to take your dance party one step further, why not make some instruments at home and play along to the music?

Maracas, which are a type of percussion instrument, are surprisingly easy to make. And you can use items most likely around the home already.
Materials required include: Directions:
To get started, simply ask your preschoolers to add the pasta, rice, or other dried ingredients to a container. Then tape the container securely shut. You'll be shaking to the music in no time!

7. Get Crafty with Paper Fiesta Flowers

This is another easy project and a great way for young children to develop fine motor skills and patience.
Materials for each flower:

6-8 sheets of tissue paper (I recommend different colors)

stapler with staples

1 pipe cleaner

Directions:

First, lay the sheets of tissue paper on top of each other and cut them into a square. I tend to work with a 10" x 10" square, but it's definitely down to your preference.

Second, have your children fold the tissue paper (sheets should still be on top of each other) like an accordion. Once this is done, staple together in the middle.

Finally, encourage your children to pull each sheet gently towards the middle. And voilà, children can proudly show off their beautiful flowers!

8. Make a Sombrero Out of a Paper Plate and Cup

Here's another crafty activity that's a firm favorite. Your children can proudly display their creations as a decoration, or even wear them once finished.
Materials required include: Directions:
To start, glue the cup to the paper plate and give it time to dry. Once dry, punch two holes in the paper plate on opposite sides.

Next, cut a 12-inch length of elastic cording (this will hold the hat in place on your child's head) and tie on to the hat.

Finally, give the hat to your child to decorate. This is something that both preschoolers and older elementary school children can do together.

9. Make a Piñata

Last craft, but certainly not least, why not make a piñata in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month?

This is quite a messy activity, so it's best to do it outside if possible. Plus, it's also a project that takes a few days to complete. But it's well worth the effort and surprisingly simple to do.

And kids of all ages absolutely love digging in and getting messy - at least mine do!

This is a simple piñata project in the shape of a ball. But you can decorate it in many ways (for example, my daughter made a very round cat a few years ago).
You'll need the following materials: Directions:
First, blow up a balloon to a decent size. Then show your children how to put newspaper strips in the papier-mâché paste - get rid of any excess - and then place on the balloon. I recommend having plenty of newspaper layers to hold the weight of goodies placed inside the piñata.

Remember: Leave a small part of the balloon uncovered so that you can put treats inside the piñata.

When the balloon is covered, give the paste at least 24 hours to dry.

Once dry, encourage your children to decorate the piñata. They can use paint, tissue paper, or even strips of construction paper. You can also attach streamers using glue.

After decorating, pop the balloon and fill the piñata with treats. I used tape to seal the hole, but you can glue cardboard over it too.

Finally, hang the piñata on display. You know what happens next!

10. Play a Game of "I Spy"

If you're looking for a Hispanic Heritage Month preschool activity with minimal prep, this game is just the thing!

Our printable Mexican Heritage I Spy Activity helps you teach your children about Mexican history and culture. Children will learn key terms alongside colorful illustrations. They can then find a particular illustration within a group of images.

I Spy is a great game to play and has many benefits, including enhancing visual discrimination (important for learning to recognize letters and numbers), building spoken language skills, and helping children learn to take turns.

11. Learn about Hispanic Festivals such as Cinco de Mayo

Along with learning about history and culture during Hispanic Heritage Month, you can teach children about other important Hispanic festivals. For example, Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated annually on the 5th of May. On this day in 1862, the Mexican army defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla. While the celebrations are often confused with Mexican Independence Day, this is an important day because it symbolizes the resistance of the Mexican people. The French would eventually leave Mexico in 1867.

You can use many of the activities listed here to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and other Hispanic holidays with your children.

12. Learn about Different Countries that Speak Spanish

As you try many of the above activities, use this as an opportunity to discuss different Spanish-speaking countries with your preschoolers.

Some ideas or topics you may discuss include:

Asking your children to point to a country on a map.

Discussing what the flag of a particular country looks like.

Discovering interesting facts about a country.

Learn about the different foods, music, and art from various countries.

If you're looking for a ready-made resource to help you get started, why not try these Hispanic Heritage Country Fact Cards? These colorful cards include images and key facts from 21 Spanish-speaking countries.

Twinkl Tip:

Learning about different countries and cultures is a great way to teach preschool children how to respect and celebrate the differences between people.

13. Learn about Notable Hispanic People

As your children learn about Spanish-speaking countries, why not introduce them to notable Hispanic individuals?

You can introduce them to famous Hispanic artists like Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo.

Or other individuals like:

Ellen Ochoa - The first Hispanic American woman to go into space.

Lin-Manuel Miranda - American actor and composer who wrote the Broadway hit Hamilton and music for the film Moana.

Sonia Sotomayor - The first Latina Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history.

Cesar Chavez - Mexican American who fought for the rights of farmworkers.

To help your children learn about notable people like the individuals listed above, you can discuss each person's achievements. You can then ask your children why they think those achievements are important. You can use printable resources, such as our Hispanic Heritage Month Notable People Posters, to support you as you talk about these amazing individuals.

14. Get Creative with Hispanic Heritage Month Coloring

Looking for a quiet activity? Why not provide your children with some paper, crayons, and coloring pencils?

You can ask your children to draw what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them.

Perhaps they'll draw their favorite recipe that they've tried or draw a portrait of a Hispanic American that has made incredible achievements. They can even draw a Spanish-speaking country they might want to visit one day.

Alternatively, you can share one of our many Hispanic Heritage Month coloring sheets. For example, children can enjoy getting creative with our Traditional Mexican Clothing Coloring Sheets. Or perhaps color the flags of Spanish-speaking countries or even decorate their own piñata!

15. Throw a Parade

Toward the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, you and your children can throw a parade. It's a great way to recognize the history, culture, and contributions made by Hispanic and Latino Americans. Or host a parade to summarize a busy month of activities.

There are many things you can do during your parade:

At the end of the parade, ask what your children learned throughout the month. Hopefully, they will take away how much fun it is to celebrate differences!

¡Salud!

So, there you have it. Our list of Hispanic Heritage Month preschool activities!

Let us know in the comments below what your children learned throughout the month-long celebration. And, if you think we should include other activities in this list, we'd love to hear from you.

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15 Hispanic Heritage Month Preschool Activities | Twinkl

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Looking for ways to teach young children about Hispanic Heritage Month? If so, you've come to the right spot. Discover our list of Hispanic Heritage Month preschool activities to help you engage and encourage kids to recognize this important month. Mix in a bit of fun and spice, and you're sure to have a fiesta!

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Details

Written by Belinda Elliott

Category: Kids & Family

Published: 24 September 2021

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 and is a time to celebrate Hispanic culture and its influence on history. As you think about incorporating some activities and celebrations into your lesson plans, we have assembled some resources to help.

Here are five easy activities to lead your students in celebrating Hispanic culture.

1. Capture their attention with videos.

Explore the many ways Latinos are woven into the fabric of America. This collection of lesson plans, videos and classroom resources invites teachers and students to explore the history, people and issues chronicled in the PBS series, Latino Americans.

Meet influential Hispanic women: botanist, explorer and environmentalist Ynés Mexía and teacher, journalist, nurse, and civil rights activist Jovita Idar. Part of the Unladylike22020 video series, these short films introduce viewers to unsung women who changed America.

2. Spice up things with a couple new recipes.

3. Get crafty!

4. Enhance reading skills and vocabulary, or introduce a new language!

5. Have students research cultural traditions or famous Latinos.

Looking for more content to engage and inspire your students? is Virginia's Premier digital content library that features SOL-aligned media and content. It is available to all public, private and homeshool Virginia educators free of charge. Access your free account today.

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5 Ways to Bring Hispanic Heritage to Your Classroom

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Details Written by Belinda Elliott Category: Kids & Family Published: 24 September 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 and is a time to celebrate Hispanic culture and its influence on history. As you think about incorporating some activities and celebrations into your lesson plans, we have assembled some resources to help.

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National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2019 - For Teachers

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This Teacher's Guide brings together resources created during National Endowment for the Humanities' Summer Seminars and Institutes, lesson plans for K-12 classrooms, and think pieces on events and experiences across Hispanic history and heritage. Image credit: Image Credit: Latin Jazz stamp. Image provided courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service.

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In this webinar, LFJ Senior Writer Coshandra Dillard and former Teaching and Learning Specialist Stef Bernal-Martinez will share stories and strategies for teaching Afro-Latinx history and doing it justice. Latinx History Is Black History will clarify the confusion between race and ethnicity, provide a historical primer on Afro-Latinx identities and review resources for teaching Elizabeth Acevedo's poem "Afro-Latina," which beautifully illustrates this intersectional identity.
Earn credit: When you complete 95 percent or more of the webinar, a certificate of completion will be available for you to download and print from within the webinar platform. Please note this certificate will not state how long the webinar was or how long you viewed the webinar. Because Learning for Justice is not a credit-granting agency, we encourage you to check with your administration to determine if your participation will count toward continuing education requirements.

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In this webinar, LFJ Senior Writer Coshandra Dillard and former Teaching and Learning Specialist Stef Bernal-Martinez will share stories and strategies for teaching Afro-Latinx history and doing it justice. Latinx History Is Black History will clarify the confusion between race and ethnicity, provide a historical primer on Afro-Latinx identities and review resources for teaching Elizabeth Acevedo's poem "Afro-Latina," which beautifully illustrates this intersectional identity.

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During Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we celebrate the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinx Americans to the United States. September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile, and Belize also celebrate their independence days in September.

This collection includes lessons, videos, artwork, music and many living testaments from diverse Latinx across the United States. The stories embedded in this collection offer students access and perspectives on topics that directly affect them, their families, friends and experiences as a young person in 2018 America. These resources can be incorporated in the lessons you're already teaching during September and through the rest of the school year.

Please note that the files in this collection cannot be downloaded from WeTeachNYC because they link out to an external site.

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During Latinx Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we celebrate the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinx Americans to the United States. September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

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Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual event celebrating the richness of Latino culture and honoring our heritage. Each year from September 15 through October 15, Latino heritage is recognized, along with the achievements of Latinos in history. It's a wonderful time to pass on the beauty of Latino culture to children of Latino descent or expose any child to learning about a diverse group of people and new cultures. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating Latino culture, check out the following hispanic heritage month activities for kids, including crafts and free printables! You can even find some delicious Latin food recipes to help you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your kids!

Free Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Kids and Printables, Plus Ideas for Celebrating Latino Culture!

1. Puerto Rican Güiro Craft for Kids

2. Día de Los Muertos Calavera Craft for Kids

3. Kids Activities for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

4. 12 Resources to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Your Kids

5. Explore Spain Coloring Activity {Printable}

6. Multicultural Crafts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

7. Hispanic Heritage Month Festival of Books

8. How to Make Paper Fiesta Flowers

9. Musical Crafts for Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

10. Puerto Rican Caretas (Paper Maché Mask Craft)

11. Flags of Latin American Countries {Printable Coloring Pages}

12. Hispanic Heroes Trading Cards {Printable}

13. Hispanic Role Models Coloring Pages {Printable}

14. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Interactive Activities

15. Ideas for Musical Activities to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month {Printable}

16. Paco's Passport - an interactive online game on PBS

17. Learn a Mexican folkloric dance - check out these videos to dance with your children!

18. 15 Children's Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

19. Learn about notable Hispanic inventors with these activity ideas!

20. Use a felt storyboard to learn about famous Hispanic leaders. Use this Cesar Chavez storyboard to get you started!

21. DIY Mini Piñata {Craft}

22. Enjoy a week of Latino food! Try this 7 day Puerto Rican food meal plan to get you started.

23. Share a tradition with your children through pictures and storytelling, like the tradition of a Quinceañero (or Quinceañera as known in other Latin American countries).

24. Celebrate with an after-school treat like these Strawberry & Cream Cheese Pastelitos (inspired by traditional Pastelitos de Guayaba) or this Limber de Mango!

25. Let the kids play PBS KIDS' online games in Spanish!

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Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Kids: Celebrating Latino Culture

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Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual event celebrating the richness of Latino culture and honoring our heritage. Each year from September 15 through October 15, Latino heritage is recognized, along with the achievements of Latinos in history.

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Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plans and Activities for Students

Use this curated collection to commemorate the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic-Americans with your students during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. These preK-12 hispanic heritage month activities, lesson plans and classroom resources will help engage your students and bring new ideas to life.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Books

Be sure to check out these fabulous book lists for Hispanic Heritage Month via Colorin Colorado. You may also want to check out these Teaching Central America resources in honor of #TeachCentralAmerica Week Oct 4 - 1, 2021.
Part of Share My Lesson's Back to School #6 Collection of 2020 #1 Collection of 2021 collection.

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Use this curated collection to commemorate the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic-Americans with your students during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. These preK-12 hispanic heritage month activities, lesson plans and classroom resources will help engage your students and bring new ideas to life.

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Printable Hispanic Heritage Month Activities - TeacherVision

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These printables, activities, and lesson plans for Hispanic Heritage Month are perfect for integrating learning about Hispanic heritage across the curriculum.

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Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class - Secondary Spanish Space

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Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class. Ideas to celebrate and recognize Hispanic Heritage Month in your Spanish class.

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Browse this rich collection of picture books for children 3-9 years old. You'll meet writers, artists, musicians, and others who made a difference through their creativity and work. You'll also discover stories about families and everyday life in Hispanic communities, as well as books about joyful festivals and holidays.

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Celebrated from September 15 to October, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the rich cultural heritage and extraordinary contributions of Hispanic Americans from Central and Latin America, Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

This collection of exciting lessons, book ideas, games, songs, and Latin history guides will bring the richness of these cultures alive for young learners. Have a blast learning about the differences between cultures, studying acclaimed authors, and enjoying Hispanic music and food!

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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month With These 20 Colorful Classroom Activities - Teaching Expertise

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Celebrated from September 15 to October, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the rich cultural heritage and extraordinary contributions of Hispanic

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Hispanic Heritage Month starts in September and is the perfect opportunity to study and celebrate Hispanic cultures, from Spain to Mexico to Peru to the Caribbean. We rounded up 25 fun Hispanic Heritage Month activities that honor this special time of year. But first, let's learn about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and why we celebrate it.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Americans who have ancestry in countries that speak Spanish. That includes Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. It was started in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a way to celebrate the contributions of Americans who had come to the United States from Spanish-speaking countries. Back then, it was a weeklong celebration. It was expanded to a month in 1988 by President Reagan.

When is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month starts September 15 (Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and continues until October 15. The month also includes Mexico's Independence Day (September 16) and Chile's Independence Day (September 18).

What does Hispanic mean?

Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or have ancestry from a Spanish-speaking country. Latino, on the other hand, refers to people who are from Latin American countries. There are 20 Hispanic countries, plus Puerto Rico, so 21 countries total.

Why do we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the 62.1 million Hispanic Americans (18.7% of the U.S. population). It's a time to learn about important Hispanic figures, learn something new about Hispanic culture, and join in on celebrations across the country.

What is the 2023 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Each year there is a different theme for Hispanic Heritage Month. Get updates on the theme and resources from the Department of Education's website. The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.

Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students

Ready to educate your students about Hispanic heritage and join in the celebration? Try these Hispanic Heritage Month activities.

1. Read books by Hispanic authors

Discussions about Hispanic heritage don't have to be limited to social studies or history classes. If you're looking for Hispanic Heritage Month activities that expand the learning to your reading classroom, try incorporating books by Hispanic authors. Your students can listen to them or read on their own.

Learn more: Books To Savor During Hispanic Heritage Month

2. Show a video about Spanish dialects

Though the accent and slang may be different, there are 21 countries whose dominant language is Spanish. Show this six-minute YouTube Video to your 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

3. Take a spin around the classroom globe

Give your students 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

4. Try a free language-learning app

Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the United States, so why not incorporate Spanish lessons into your lineup of Hispanic Heritage Month activities? Try Duolingo, an incredibly popular app that allows students to learn Spanish. There's even a free standards-aligned version for schools where you can create assignments and see student progress.

Get it: Duolingo for Schools

5. Take a virtual tour of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's home

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

6. Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of the American Latino

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

7. Play Hispanic 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

8. Bring folklórico dance into your classroom

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.

Try it: Ballet Folklórico Video from PBS

9. Listen to a mariachi band

A mariachi is a small, Mexican musical ensemble composed of a variety of mostly stringed instruments. They are typically male-dominant ensembles that sing a variety of songs, from slow songs of love or grief to high-energy dance songs. Mariachis are a typical form of entertainment at Hispanic events including weddings, holidays, birthdays, and funerals.

Try it: Mariachi Sol De Mexico Performance Video on YouTube

10. Create a menu that celebrates Hispanic cuisine

Like music, traditional foods help students understand and appreciate a country's culture. Many students have heard of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but there is so much more than that in Hispanic cuisine. Have students research recipes like pupusas from El Salvador and western Honduras, pastel de choclo from Chile, and gorditas from Mexico. Students can research how the recipe reflects the country it's from, and then make it and share it.

Learn more: Vibrant Food Celebrated in National Hispanic Heritage Month from OpenTable

11. Taste Hispanic treats

Tres leches, churros, conchas, arroz con leche-all the treats worth trying. Recipes and traditions vary from country to country and region to region. Have students investigate one sweet treat, how it got its name, and how it's incorporated into festivals and daily life. If possible, visit a local panaderia or pasteleria to see which treats you can find.

Learn more: Best Mexican Desserts at Mama Maggie's Kitchen

12. Make papel picado decorations

Papel picado translates to punched or perforated paper. This traditional paper decor is found in a variety of Hispanic cultural events. It is used to decorate during celebrations such as Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and events like birthdays and baby showers, as well as to simply add festive decor to family homes. Papel picado can be purchased online, at stores, or even created as a DIY craft.

Try it: How To Make Papel Picado from Deep Space Sparkle

Buy it: Plastic Papel Picado at Amazon

13. Play lotería

Lotería is a popular game that is very similar to bingo. It uses a total of 54 images on a deck of cards, and each player has playing cards containing only 16 of those images. The caller (or "cantor") reads out the short phrase on each card (in Spanish), and players use beans, coins, rocks, or markers to cover the image if they have a match to the card read aloud. A fast-paced game, the first person who covers a row shouts "Lotería!" to win the game. Try the game out with your students as a fun Friday activity during Hispanic Heritage Month. It's a crowd-pleaser!

Try it: How To Play Loteria from Lola Mercadito

Buy it: Loteria at Amazon

14. Watch a video or assign a research project about El Día de los Muertos

El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday. It is celebrated from midnight on October 31 until November 2. During this time, it is believed that the gates of heaven are open and spirits of people who have passed on can rejoin their families here on Earth for those two days. People gather at cemeteries to welcome back the souls of their relatives with food, drinks, decorations, and celebration. National Geographic Kids has a great starting point to research Día de los Muertos.

Learn more: National Geographic Kids: Day of the Dead

15. Teach students about Las Posadas with poinsettia crafts

Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and most Latin American countries in late December that commemorates the journey Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. During the festival, children and family members dress up as angels, carry candles, play/listen to music, eat food, and decorate with poinsettias. Introduce this topic to your students, create a poinsettia craft as a keepsake, and embrace these Hispanic Heritage Month activities again in December when you discuss holidays around the world.

Try it: Poinsettia Crafts for Kids from Artsy Craftsy Mom

16. Make paper bag luminaries

Luminaries are a traditional decor used in the Hispanic culture. They are typically paper bags (but can be made from other materials as well) that have designs or holes poked through the side, and are lit by putting a candle inside. These are placed in pathways and entrances or are used for decorations at holidays throughout the year.

Try it: DIY Paper Bag Luminaries from Giggles Galore

17. Virtually tour ancient ruins

Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating people who are from countries whose primary language is Spanish. There's a lot of history and archaeology to explore there. Check out one of Mexico's Mayan pyramids, Chichén Itzá. Or take a tour of the historical city of Teotihuacán, also in Mexico. Further south, explore Machu Pichu in Peru, an archaeological site of the ancient Inca.

18. Learn the basic steps of salsa

Salsa dancing is a combination of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Cuban dances from the 1950s. Learn the basic moves with this video:

19. Make paper flowers

Mexican celebrations often involve lots of bright flowers. Use paper and some folding to create bright pops of color for your classroom.

20. Have a paleta party

Paletas are Mexican Popsicles that are often fruit flavored. They're made with water ( paletas de agua) or milk ( paletas de leche). Read Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, a celebration of paletas and the vendors who push carts full of paletas for kids to buy, and try a new flavor of paleta. Here's a paleta recipe to make your own.

Buy it: Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz at Amazon

21. Watch a movie by a Hispanic filmmaker

Movies are a great way to showcase Hispanic culture, and there are wonderful movies by Hispanic directors and with Hispanic actors. Check out this list of G and PG movies, plus this list of movies for middle and high schoolers.

22. Learn about Guatemalan worry dolls

Hispanic countries have different traditions, including those for kids. Worry or trouble dolls ( Muñeca quitapena) are small handmade dolls that originate from Guatemala and are a local Mayan legend. Traditionally, children tell their worries to the doll before they go to bed at night, then put the dolls under their pillow. By morning, the dolls have given them knowledge to take away their worries.

A video about how to make worry dolls:

23. Play Mar y Tierra

The traditional Hispanic game of Mar y Tierra is a favorite playground choice for kids around the world. It's also a great way to learn simple geographic vocabulary while getting kids moving and connecting with each other.

Learn more: Spanish Playground

24. Make hot chocolate

Chocolate originated in Latin America and cacao beans are still cultivated in Latin American countries. For true Mexican hot chocolate, you'll need Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, and milk. Combine the ingredients and whip to frothy with a molinillo, or whisk. Get the recipe at Mama Latina Tips.

25. Make a retablo

Peruvian retablos are a folk art made in the Andes mountains. They usually show religious scenes inside a box with doors, but they can also show cultural, political, or social events. It's 3D storytelling in a wood box. Make your own with cardboard, paint, and other craft materials.

Learn how to make your own retablo at Mommy Maestro.

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25 Fun Activities To Honor Hispanic Heritage Month

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Our favorite Hispanic Heritage Month activities to celebrate the culture, traditions, and history of Hispanic Americans.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the achievements, contributions, culture, and history of Hispanic and Latin American people. The month-long celebration begins on September 15 commemorating the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month: Ideas for Teachers

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National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the achievements, contributions, culture, and history of Hispanic and Latin American people. The month-long celebration begins on September 15 commemorating the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

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16 Classroom Activities, Books, and Historical Figures for Hispanic Heritage Month - Waterford.org

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Teachers, check out these ideas to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in your classroom, including activities, books, and historical figures.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month occurs every year in the United States, from September 15th to October 15th.

It's a month to celebrate the achievements of famous Hispanic Americans, along with everyday people. HHM is also the perfect chance to celebrate Latino culture in general, at home, or as a school.
First, let's take a look at how Hispanic Heritage Month came to be, and answer some common questions.
Then, I'll share a ton of ideas for honoring this special month!
If you are already familiar with the history of National Hispanic Heritage Month and just want to see the activities, click here.
Contents:

1. When Did Hispanic Heritage Month Begin?
2. Why Does HHM Start In the Middle of the Month?
3. Why Do We Have HHM?
4. Why Is It called Hispanic Heritage Month?

Or Jump to: Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

When Did Hispanic Heritage Month Begin?

Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in the United States under President Johnson, and was later extended to a month by President Reagan. California Congressman George E. Brown first introduced the idea.

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as "Hispanic Heritage Week" under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan's term in 1988.
- White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative, Dept. of Education

Why Does Hispanic Heritage Month Start In the Middle of the Month?

You might think it makes more sense to pick one month and declare it National Hispanic Heritage Month. There's a special reason, though, that it starts on September 15th.

September 15 was chosen as the kickoff because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five "Central American neighbors," as Johnson called them-Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Those five nations declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.
- History.com

Other Spanish-speaking nations have anniversaries close to those dates as well. Mexico- our neighbor- declared independence from Spain on September 16th, 1810. Chile did the same on September 18th, 1810.

Why Do We NEED Hispanic Heritage Month?

Throughout U.S. history, Latinx communities have had to struggle for equal rights. The Chicano population (Mexican Americans), especially, has experienced discrimination, and sometimes brutally.

(I detail more of this history in another post, What's the Big Deal About Sombreros?)
Hispanic Heritage Month was established as a way to honor previously overlooked Latinx contributions and highlight new ones, going forward.
President George Bush said in 1989,

"Today, Hispanic Americans are leaders in government, business, education, sports, science, and the arts... Not all of the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to our society are so visible or so widely celebrated, however. Hispanic Americans have enriched our nation beyond measure with the quiet strength of closely knit families and proud communities."
- President Bush, Proclamation 6021-National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1989

As of 2020, the Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. was approximately 18% of the population. ( Census.gov)

Why Is It called Hispanic Heritage Month?

The term Hispanic has starting falling out of popularity-and fairly- due its colonialist connotations. ( Hispanic generally means Spanish-speaking, and refers to people, countries, or cultures connected to Spain.)

People from these 21 Spanish-speaking countries are considered to be of "Hispanic heritage":

It's a little complicated, though, to find a better word that means the same thing.

Many people prefer to say Latino or Latinx Heritage Month, thought that would technically refer to Central America and South America, and include places like Brazil.

Including neighbors makes more sense to me than including Americans whose ancestors are from Spain, but I don't make the rules of course. We'll see if there's an official name change sometime soon!
Free Map Worksheets of the 21 Spanish Speaking Countries
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ACTIVITIES

All of that information is great, but how do we make Hispanic Heritage Month meaningful and accessible for our students and communities?
These lesson plans and activities will give you plenty of authentic, fun, and worthwhile ideas.
One more thing: before you dive in, I recommend reading this resource packet from Teaching for Change. Here's a brief quote from the packet:

Ironically, typical heritage month programs and celebrations may do as much to
reinforce stereotypes as they do to challenge them. It is important to acknowledge marginalized histories, but special events in isolation can affirm stereotypes rather than negate them... Honor Latino/Hispanic Heritage month by providing time for teachers to deepen their own background knowledge and make plans to infuse Latino history into their curriculums.
- Beyond Heroes and Holidays:
A Practical Guide for K12 Anti-Racist, Multicultural Education and Staff Development, by Deborah Menkart
The rest of this post is packed with many meaningful ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month Activities!
To jump to a specific section, click on one of the links below:

Let's get started!
Created by Davis Marret from Cario Middle in Charleston, SC. See the template here.
Activities and Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month

Here are printable lesson and activities for learning about Latino Heritage topics. I do have some paid resources that I recommend, but if you're on the look out for free resources, I have PLENTY for you!

Resources To Introduce What Hispanic Heritage Month is:

1. 10 Free Slides Introducing HHM
These simple and well-designed slides provide a nice introduction to Hispanic Heritage Month for kids. Easy and done-for-you! See it here.
(Elementary and up.)

2. Free HHM Crossword Puzzle
This 1-page Printable PDF covers important vocabulary and facts about famous Latino leaders. See it here.
(English, best for Middle - High School.)

3. 5 Free Leveled Reading Passages
This pack of 5 free readings present the basics of HHM.
(English, for Elementary and up.) See it here.

4. Free Intro Video to Hispanic Heritage Month for Kids
This video also introduces kids to HHM, with colorful illustrations. See it here.
(English, for Elementary and up.)
Keep scrolling for a TON more video suggestions!

Resources to Learn About Famous Latinos:

1. Famous Latinos Free Coloring Pages
For all ages, these free coloring pages feature 30+ famous Spanish speakers. Enter your email above and I'll send them to you!

2. Free Biography Poster Project
Fun for Spanish Teachers describes a really good poster project that includes a QR code where students link to a voice recording. Visit the page here.
(Elementary and up.)

3. Free Lessons on Dolores Huerta
If you want to do a deep dive into the life of a famous Latina leader, Dolores Huerta is a wonderful place to start. I have free editable activity packs you can make your own copy of, right from these links:
4. Slides on Famous Latinos
If you need slides to use all month long, I have a set of Google Slides introducing 36 Latinos who changed the world and made history. These are great for bellringers, posting on a bulletin board, or to incorporate into biographies into your lessons all year. I included more than you need, so you pick the names you wish to highlight.

Here are some ready-to-go resources I have:

Printable Posters and Bulletin Boards for HHM:

1. Free Printable HHM Portraits
Print these full-color posters of Latino writers, activists, leaders, scientists, athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians and others to display for a bulletin board. See them here.

2. Simple Intro Poster
This is one-page bilingual printable with a simple paragraph explaining what HHM is. See it here.

3. Printable HHM Banner
These free printable letters form the phrase "Hispanic Heritage Month" using flags. Very cute! See it here.

4. Printable Quotes from Famous Latinos
These quotes are available in Spanish and English and have zen coloring backgrounds older students will like. Make your own copy here.

Learn About the Spanish Speaking Countries:

1. Color the 21 Country Flags
I have coloring pages for each flag from the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. Make your copy here.

2. Card Games and Printable Maps
Download my free card games and maps for learning and reviewing the Spanish-speaking countries, capitals, flags, maps, and fun facts. See them here.

3. Free Research Project for Spanish Speaking Countries
Printables to guide students as they research different countries and take notes on them. Really nice layout!
(Spanish, Middle School and up.) See it here.

4. Simple Geography Brochure Project
This is an editable outline you can give students to gather basic facts about the country they choose. Includes a detailed rubric! See it here.
(English, Upper Elementary and up)

5. $1 Printable Flags
Simple banner of mini-flags to print and add color to a bulletin board or room!

6. Presentation to Each Country
These slides show where each country is, along with capital and a few photos.

More Activities:

Play Cuban dominoes.

Make an authentic dish from Spain or Latin America! I have a whole post with easy-to-make-in-class ideas, whether you have access to a griddle, a microwave, or no kitchen at all!

More Resources:

Virtual tour of the National Museum of the American Latino.

Latino Civil Rights Timeline with linked Lesson Ideas. (Background for teachers, high school +)

Interactive lesson from PBS on "Latinos Share Their Experiences".
(Middle school +)

The Smithsonian has a large collection of resources as well. I found it overwhelming to navigate, but feel free to browse!

5 Simple Ways To Celebrate HHM for Schools

Some of these are "lighter" ideas and should always be in the context of deeper cultural studies.
We should always be incorporating in-depth culture year-round, through equity-focused curriculum.
1. Do trivia with prizes over the morning announcements

You can see my post with 31 Days of Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia for plenty of school-appropriate questions and fun facts.

These online quizzes on famous Hispanic Americans and Latino Entertainers have info you can use as well.

An alternative could be to have fun little games by the office or in the lunchroom ( idea from the FB group Spanish Teachers in the U.S: "How many frijoles in the jar, flan flavor guessing contest, piñata on the last day, etc.")

2. CELEBRATE LATIN CULTURE WITH MUSIC

This is a great time to expose your students to all different kind of music in Spanish! I have a huge collection of classic Spanish Songs and playlists by genre and themes, or you can browse this list of cultural classics.

Allison from Mis Clases Locas also had the great idea to do a Hispanic Heritage Music Madness bracket.

Select a song from each country, and vote throughout the month until you have a winning song!

3. Drum up Interest with Displays and realia

Set up a bulletin board with artifacts, quotes, or biographies in the background.

Assign a famous Hispanic-American or Spanish Speaker as a project. Some of these could be selected to display in the hall or by the school entry as a way to spotlight Hispanic Heritage Month.

Some schools go big with a school-wide event that features Latin food, music, traditional games, country-themed tables, dancing, a Taco Truck Day, etc. If you have the resources for it, these would be really fun!

4. Involve the Community

Invite community members to talk or share something cultural (a dance lesson, cooking lesson, craft, childhood stories, etc.)

Note: be mindful if you do this! Make sure you are not burdening families or students to educate and share unless you know they are eager to do so.

5. Include All Content Areas

Coordinate with other teachers to emphasize the Hispanic-American community. Talk with the art teacher about incorporating an artisan craft or studying a Hispanic artist like Frida Kahlo (not Mexican-American, but she did spend quite a bit of time in the U.S.)

Another example would be incorporating literature. For example:

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CRAFTS & CULTURE

BOOKS on Famous Latinx Leaders

These books are a great start for learning about famous Hispanic Americans.

I have great lists of famous Spanish speakers and inspiring Latina leaders. They link to posts with quotes, resources, videos, book, and more on each person. If you are working with students, here are some of my favorite high-interest people to teach about:

MOVIES FOR HHM

This is the perfect time to show a movie that showcases Hispanic culture. Here's where to find them!
Movies to show in class:
The Ultimate List of Movies for Spanish Class from Secondary Spanish Space (includes ratings, and a brief synopsis).
Spanish TV Shows for Students
G and PG Movies in Spanish from Spanish Mama
Movies for teachers/adults or need editing for class:
INFOGRAPHS

Here are some cool infographs you can use for Hispanic Heritage Month activities:

6 Famous SONGS in Spanish

Music is an excellent way to share language and culture at the same time. There are so many songs you could use this month! Check out my All-Time Classic Songs in Spanish, or Folk Songs in Spanish for Kids, or choose from the few I've featured below:

LA GOZADERA

Celebrate Latin American countries in this happy song. If the video isn't appropriate for your school, consider using a version that just features the lyrics.

GUANTANAMERA

Expose your students to one of the great classics in Spanish, by the legendary Celia Cruz.

LA BAMBA

La Bamba isn't just one of the most famous songs in Spanish, it features a Chicano artist who bridged Mexico and the US through his life and music.

DE COLORES

A traditional song for children, De Colores is a beautiful and classic Hispanic song that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom

Selena is a legendary example of life as a Mexican-American artist. Despite being born Mexican parents, she only spoke English as a young child and had to learn Spanish later on, for her music.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH VIDEOS

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Google Arts (obviously not all of Frida Kahlo's paintings can be used in every classroom context):

Kids Talk About Hispanic Heritage Month (in English):

Hispanic Heritage Month, as explained by young Disney Stars:

How Pitbull's Cuban-American family came to the U.S:

Mes de la Herencia Hispana

A series of adorable videos where young kids introduce themselves and their Latino roots and culture, in Spanish:

Latino Learning Modules

This one explains the terms Hispanic, Latino, and Chicano

Biographies in Simple Spanish:

A simple introduction to Ellen Ochoa. (This is part of a series introducing famous Hispanics for young children- though I bet you could use it for older students as well! So far there are intros for Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Roberto Clemente, Alberto Baez, and more):

An song intro to HHM and Latin culture from Nickelodeon (preview for Shakira's outfit, hah- up to you!):

Video in English, mostly text:

FOOD AND RECIPES

Pico de Gallo Receta from Mundo de Pepita

Recipes by region: https://www.goya.com/en/recipes/by-region

Image Credits

" Mission Mural - Political Art" ( CC BY-SA 2.0) by fabola

Like it? Pin it!

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The Ultimate Guide to Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

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Inside: A collection of Hispanic Heritage Month activities and ideas for schools or to celebrate at home. National Hispanic Heritage Month occurs every year in the United States, from September 15th to October 15th. It's a month to celebrate the achievements of famous Hispanic Americans, along with everyday people.

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No matter our color, ZIP code, or language, we want all our children to have a public education that imparts honesty about who we are, the integrity in how we treat each other, and the freedom to pursue our dreams.

Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a time for those of Hispanic and Latino descent to celebrate their cultural roots but also an occasion for people from all backgrounds to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Despite efforts by some politicians today to whitewash history, to restrict our freedoms to teach and to learn, throughout our history, Hispanic and Latino communities have left an indelible mark on the fields of art, music, literature, science, politics, education, and countless other domains. Their enduring legacy is not only a source of pride for those who share this heritage but also a source of inspiration for all of us who recognize the power of diversity in shaping our shared humanity.

Through this list of curated resources, books, lessons, videos and activities, we invite you to explore, learn, and celebrate the vibrant heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities to our world.

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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more.

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A lot of my recent Spanish movies and shows lists have been for parents and teachers. Today I'm focusing on more kid-friendly movie options. After the wild popularity of Coco, hopefully producers understand we want more Spanish-language options!

I'm starting with my top picks overall, for watching as a family or using in your Spanish classes. You might have to rent or grab these off of Amazon, but they are great films.

There are of course many popular films with a Spanish-language option, but I've tried to include movies that are either originally written in Spanish, or at least Latino-themed. A few are rated NR, but fall within the family-friendly category. Of course, please preview or check parent content advisories if you're watching with young kids.

Many of these are available on Netflix as well! My post on how to change the language on Netflix might be helpful and also includes quick tips on different searches and adjusting settings.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
I have marked which titles are available on Netflix, though remember that Netflix regularly adds and pulls shows. I do my best to keep updated!

Ready? Let's get started.

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Spanish Movies for Kids: G and PG Rated Titles

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A lot of my recent Spanish movies and shows lists have been for parents and teachers. Today I'm focusing on more kid-friendly movie options. After the wild popularity of Coco, hopefully producers understand we want more Spanish-language options! I'm starting with my top picks overall, for watching as a family or using in your Spanish classes.

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What to Do with Spanish Club 20 Fun Ideas - Secondary Spanish Space

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January 17, 2017 By Catharyn Crane In my time spent teaching Spanish at a large...

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in your Spanish class is great, but sometimes it's fun to take the celebration to the whole school and really share history and culture with the student body as a whole!

Unfortunately, as teachers we have a lot on our plates. Most of us just don't have time to cook up plans for a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month school wide! If that's the case, don't fret! Pick and choose from these ideas for your student body, or they would even be perfect for your Spanish club! Here are some simple ideas for ways to celebrate in your school:
If you're looking for lesson plans for Hispanic Heritage Month in your Spanish classroom, check out my post here!
Ten Activities to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in your School:

1. Invite your student body to volunteer with members of your community that speak Spanish - or any of these other great activities from Sol Azucar!

2. Play music during passing periods, before, or after school Check out these lists from Mundo de Pepita and La Profe Plotts for how to get started!

3. Plan and host a a Wax Museum event, where students dress up as the person they have learned about and hold a "pose", like a Wax Museum, until someone walks up to them and presses the "button" near them. Then students give a short speech about that person's life. Everything you need to get started can be found here!

4. Organize a Food Truck Day for your students!

5. Play a movie after school! Check out this list from Spanish Mama for some ideas of titles you could choose!

6. Play trivia- collect guesses in a Google Form, during homeroom, with their first period teacher.
Here is a set of print and go or post and go trivia questions you can use on a school wide display or to play between classes for a competition.
You could even share the fast play link from this Boom Card set!

7. School-wide music bracket! Check out this one from Mis Clases Locas for a ready to go resource!
8. Make announcements over the loud-speaker about the accomplishments of famous Hispanics. You could even have your students present information from their printable research poster projects!
9. Make a mural as a class or club, then display prominently - in the cafeteria or atrium would be great!
10. Work with your school media specialist to highlight books and novels that celebrate Hispanic culture!

There you have it! Ten ways to hold a school-wide celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! How are you going to recognize it this year?

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Hispanic Heritage Month School Wide Celebrations - Srta Spanish

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in your Spanish class is great, but sometimes it's fun to take the celebration to the whole school and really share history and culture with the student body as a whole! Unfortunately, as teachers we have a lot on our plates.