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.

• This "All About Holidays" video details the origins of the holiday.
  
  
• Explore music and dance with this Latin Music Collection.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• PBS.org also published a web page of content featuring videos that highlight Latino culture and celebrity profiles.
  
  
• 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.

• Learn about one of Mexico's tastiest traditional foods--chocolate!
  Includes a video clip from Let’s Go Luna and a recipe to make Mexican hot chocolate for your students, or set up stations to let them make their own. Then you can lead them in a discussion about different cultures and foods.
  
  
• Learn how to make black beans and rice, a dish from Mexico.
  
  

3. Get crafty!

• Cardboard Maracas
  
• Mexican Folk Art
  
• Panpipes - traditional instruments in Central and South America, dating back thousands of years.
  
  

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

• PBS Kids suggests this list of 11 Picture Books Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month that celebrates Latino voices and culture.
  
  
• Teach young children Spanish with Salsa. Salsa is Georgia Public Broadcasting's award-winning Spanish language series for young learners in kindergarten through the third grade. Puppets in familiar stories, digital graphics and animation teach the language.
  
  
• Oh Noah! offers Spanish lessons for children ages 6 to 8 that use animated videos with embedded games to help build vocabulary.
  
  
• Books About Latinos Who Made a Difference - These titles tell the stories of famous Latinos whose legacies we continue to celebrate and discuss. The stories often focus on their childhoods and are sure to resonate with young readers.
  
  

5. Have students research cultural traditions or famous Latinos.

• This resource packet provides background information, facts and myths, quizzes and a list of famous U.S. Latinos.
  
  
• White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics website includes links to facts and figures from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and more.

Looking for more content to engage and inspire your students? eMediaVA 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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