Celebrated from 15 September to 15 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 your young learners. They’ll have a blast as you engage them in learning about the differences between cultures, studying acclaimed authors, and enjoying Hispanic music and food! Let’s dive in!
1. Compare Cultural Holidays
By understanding how El Dia de Los Muertos differs from Halloween, your students will better appreciate the richness of Latin American Culture. After researching the traditions, music, and history of this holiday you can even engage them in creating an altarpiece to honor their loved ones who have passed on.
Learn More: Parents
2. Discover the Contributions of Notable Hispanic Americans
Have your learners dive into the inspiring contributions made by notable Hispanic Americans with this enlightening activity. From science to sports to politics, they’ll learn about the important impact of people like Lin-Mnaul Miranda, Oscar De La Hoya, Ellen Ochoa, and many others!
Learn More: Twinkl
3. Read and Discuss Poems by Latin Voices
Dive into the world of poetry with this broad and inclusive list of established and up-and-coming Latin poets. Encourage your kids to discuss the language used while immersing them in this rich collection of history, class, and society.
Learn More: Poetry Foundation
4. Learn about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Inspire your class with the story of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic woman of color to join the Supreme Court! Task them with reading and answering the accompanying comprehension questions as they discover how she used the challenges she faced in her childhood to strengthen her ability to be a good judge and lawyer.
Learn More: Education
5. Design A Travel Guide
Take your children on a sightseeing adventure right in your classroom with this travel guide project! Start by allowing them to research a Spanish-speaking country of their choice before you have them use this newfound information to design an exciting travel brochure that highlights all the sites their destination has to offer.
Learn More: Education World
6. Cook up Some Hispanic Dishes: No-Bake Recipe Booklet
Treat your little chefs to a delicious classroom experience with these scrumptious Hispanic recipes. From enchiladas to rice milk, you’ll have them whip up various dishes to celebrate Hispanic culture through the universal medium of food.
Learn More: Twinkl
7. Put Your Own Twist on Classic Loteria Cards
Similar to Bingo, Lotería Mexicana is a game of chance that’s played throughout Mexico and the United States. Let your kids’ creativity run wild as you engage them in reading the riddles and puns for each picture card before letting them interpret each one in their own unique style.
Learn More: Kids Activities
8. Listen and Dance to Salsa Music
Get your little ones moving and grooving with a bit of salsa music! After learning about the history and characteristics of salsa music, you’ll encourage them to practice identifying these rhythmic beats while you guide them in performing simple salsa moves.
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9. Learn About Mexican Holidays
Mexico is home to so many rich traditions and celebrations so it can be easy for your young learners to get them mixed up. With this activity, you’ll help them understand the differences between Dia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Grito de Dolores or Mexican Independence Day, and Cinco de Mayo.
Learn More: EDSITEment
10. Watch Pixar’s Coco
Coco tells the heartwarming story of Miguel, whose dream of becoming a musician is hampered by his family’s ban on music. Steeped in Mexican culture and folklore, your class is sure to be mesmerized by this vibrant movie. After watching, ask them to answer these accompanying questions to help them connect the dots between screen and classroom learning.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
11. Learn About Selena Quintanilla
Gather your young minds around for this vibrant read-aloud that’s packed full of stunning illustrations. Encourage them to listen closely as you tell them the life story of Selena, who began her singing career at quinceañeras and went on to fill entire stadiums with adoring fans.
Learn More: Amazon
12. Watch and Discuss a Video about Sylvia Mendez
Introduce your kiddos to Slyvia Mendez, an American civil rights activist and nurse who was forbidden to attend a public school because it was reserved for white students. You’ll teach them all about her and her family’s valiant fight to end racial segregation in California, paving the way for equality across the country.
Learn More: PBS Learning Media
13. Read Areli is a Dreamer
Here’s another picture book that’s fantastic for immersing your pupils in Latin American culture. They’ll read all about the true story of one young girl’s journey from Mexico to New York. After indulging them in this captivating read, have them discuss the questions in the accompanying guide as you have them address the impact of immigration on Latin American culture.
Learn More: Share My Lesson
14. Make a Paper Mache Pinata
This colorful craft activity is perfect for grabbing your little ones’ attention. They are sure to enjoy making these colorful pinatas as you assist them in crafting a variety of classic shapes using paper mache. All that’s left is to paint them, fill them with candy, then let your kids have at it!
Learn More: Kid Activities
15. Learn South American Geography
Test your children’s knowledge of different cities in South America. Challenge them to look up and research different locations before encouraging them to share interesting facts about each city with the rest of their classmates.
Learn More: Education
16. Create A Self-Portrait in the Style of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was a master of self-portraits, and in this activity, your little artists will design their very own Frida-inspired portraits. Allow them combine to elements of Mexican culture and European artistic traditions to create their unique paintings while engaging them in discussions about her life and enduring artistic legacy.
Learn More: Dreambeast Poems
17. Learn About Latin Music
In this lively activity, you’ll highlight the incredible talent of a variety of Latin artists including Vincente Fernandez and Gloria Estefan. Simply start by playing this kid-friendly video as you immerse them in an overview of popular Latin music that’s sure to prompt a few lively discussions about salsa, merengue, and the bossa nova!
Learn More: Brain Pop
18. Create a Glossary of Spanish Words
Develop your children’s appreciation for cross-cultural influences as you invite them to create their very own glossary of Spanish words. Simply use the template provided or have them use their journals to create a collection of Spanish words and the corresponding translations to celebrate the rich history of both languages.
Learn More: Twinkl
19. Celebrate Mexican Culture with a Flip Book
This hands-on activity is perfect for your younger learners. Task them with putting together this colorful flip book about Mexico as you have them fill the sections with maps, culture, flags, food, and the history of this amazing country.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
20. Write a Folktale
Spark the interest of the budding writers in your class with this imaginative project. After reading and discussing examples of folktales from various Hispanic cultures, they’re sure to be bursting with ideas of their own as you challenge them to create new and unique folktales.
Learn More: Becoming Bilingual
21. Make a Papel Picado
Create a cute paper craft with your kiddos that is loved by many Hispanic cultures. Help your students fold and cut some colorful paper to create this eye-catching craft project that will make for a great display in your classroom. What a great way to decorate for cultural celebrations and holidays!
Learn More: PBS
22. Make a Peruvian Flute
In Peru, these flutes are pretty popular! It’s easy to make your own version with your kiddies using some straws and tape. Your students can then practice playing their favorite songs using their flutes as they learn more about Peru and music culture.
Learn More: PBS
23. Represent Different Countries with Dolls
There are many different countries that value Latin and Hispanic cultures. As your students research them, you can have them create paper dolls to represent each place, then add these to a wall display to create a super visual of their learning!
Learn More: Mung Fali
24. Flag Coloring Sheets
Printing and coloring the different flags for Latin American countries is a great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Peru, Colombia, and many other flags can be found and printed for students to decorate. When they are completed, you can make them into a banner to decorate your room!
Learn More: Twinkl
25. Hispanic Heritage Heroes Poster
As you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it is a great time for students to learn more about Spanish-speaking countries and the people who are heroes there. Teach your kiddies about the people who made an impact on the culture and helped shape their countries and let them create a poster to showcase all the heroes they’ve learned about.
Learn More: Education
26. Dress the Part
Celebrate Latin culture by having your kiddies dress the part. If they don’t have the appropriate attire, fear not, you can make it! They can use paper, glue, markers, and some scissors to create their own ponchos and sombreros. The more color, the better!
Learn More: GMG Art
27. Have a Fiesta
Who doesn’t love a party? Bring in some popular dishes of Hispanic origin, sample some candy from the Latin cultures, and dress the part! Include some books about Hispanic countries and spend some time celebrating languages. What a perfect way to let your learners explore the culture of Hispanic heritage as they participate in a party!
Learn More: Discovering The World Through My Son’s Eyes
28. Explore Hispanic Inventors
Find out about Hispanic people who have made lasting impacts on the world with their inventions! Encourage your kiddos to research some of these famous inventors to learn more about their wonderful inventions.
Learn More: Pinterest
29. Make Some Maracas
It is always fun to create your own instruments! Making percussion instruments and then using them to create music to honor the Latin culture is a great activity for your little musicians. Use some recycled plastic eggs, plastic spoons, and some beans or rice to create these fun maracas!
Learn More: Fun365
30. Fashion Your Own Castanet
Another fun musical instrument to make is a castanet; these are popular in Latin culture to use while dancing along to lively music. Your kids will enjoy this simple craft and then have the opportunity to use it to play along with music or create a rhythm of their very own!
Learn More: Eco Green Love
31. Paper Plate Sombrero
Making a paper plate sombrero is a fun, simple craft for celebrating! This is a must for your class ideas list for your preschool or kindergarten class, but would work well for any age of students! Your kids can wear these sombreros or use them to hold party snacks!
Learn More: Kid Friendly Things To Do
32. Make a Chajalele
Popular in Hispanic and Latin cultures, this traditional toy is easy to make and fun to play with! All your kids will need is a large button and some string. Simply have them thread the string through the button and spin! This is the perfect craft for any age of children!
Learn More: Lucky Little Learners
33. Take a Virtual Tour
This is one you’ll definitely want to add to your collection of resources for Hispanic Heritage Month! Take a virtual tour of different countries or exhibits honoring Hispanic heritage with your kids without even leaving your classroom! Your learners will love seeing artifacts from Hispanic culture and it’s the perfect way to start your month-long celebrations!
Learn More: TPT
34. Mexican Paper Stars
Bring a Mexican dish and make a Mexican craft! These paper stars are a great craft and the result is a load of beautiful decorations to add some color to your space! Simply print off the templates, have your kids color them in, and then fold and stick them to turn them into these eye-catching 3D creations!
Learn More: Happy Thought
35. Paint a Sugar Skull
Sugar skulls are very popular in Hispanic culture and this painting project is great for teaching your class more about Hispanic artists! Using some black paper and some acrylic paints, your budding artists can create these stunning sugar skull paintings! As they paint you can teach them about the significance of this particular painting.
Learn More: Step By Step Painting
36. Mexican Metal Tooling Art
This artisan craft is a lot simpler than it looks! All you’ll need is some aluminum foil, paint or markers, and the end of a paintbrush. Have your kiddies use the end of the paintbrush to push into the aluminum foil, creating a design that is representative of Hispanic heritage, and then add color with the paints or markers.
Learn More: Kinder Art
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