How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Classroom

The U.S. Census Bureau states that Hispanic Americans are America's fastest growing minority, with over 44 million currently living in the United States, and that number is growing larger every year. Each year National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th. Started in 1968 as a week-long celebration of the Hispanic heritage, it was extended into a month by President Reagan in 1988. Help your students learn more about the accomplishments, traditions and culture of the nation's largest minority group by celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month in your classroom.

Things You'll Need

• Spanish-English dictionary
• Books about famous Hispanics
• Ingredients and equipment to make a traditional Latin-American snack

Instructions

1. Create a Spanish-English phrase picture dictionary. Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the United States. Have the students make a picture book, or dictionary, of popular English words or phrases translated into Spanish. Then, share the books with another classroom, having each student teach a partner from the other classroom some Spanish words.

2. Create folktales. Tell the children that folktales are an important part of the Hispanic heritage. Provide students with examples of folktales from Latin-American Cultures (you can find some on the link below). Discuss the characteristics of each folktale, then divide the class into partners or groups and have them work together to write a folktale of their own. When finished, have the students read them aloud to the rest of the class.

3. Create a Famous Hispanic Wall of Fame. Clear a space on your classroom wall or on a bulletin board. Have the students find information on one Hispanic person of their choice who has made a special achievement or contribution, and write about that person. Ask the students to draw a portrait of the person they have chosen, and hang it on the wall next to their writings. See the link below for an online resource for this project.

4. Enjoy some traditional Latin-American food. Have your students whip up some easy foods like Pupusas Con Queso, Tres Leches Cake, or even some classic Mexican hot chocolate. Ask parents to help you prepare the treats. You can find these recipes and more at the link below.

5. Read aloud some stories written by Hispanic authors such as "Family Pictures/Cuadros de familia" by Carmen Lomas Garza, which is written in both English and Spanish, or ask your school librarian if he has any suggestions or books in the library you can read aloud.

Tips & Warnings

• See if you can find a prominent Hispanic American in your community, perhaps a musician, who could come as a guest speaker for your class.

Resources

• Folktales from "Magic Tales of Mexico"
• Famous Hispanics
• Nickjr.com list of Latin-American recipes that kids can make.