5 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Shine a light on the contributions of the Hispanic community with these Edpuzzle Original video lessons and ideas for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with your students!
Illustration by Edpuzzle Staff
Latino history is American history. It is a story of hard work, family, faith, pride, and possibility, and it is proof that there is nothing we cannot do when we do it together.
– A Presidential Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2023
In the United States, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th through October 15th.
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic community, this is for you! From ready-to-go Edpuzzle Original video lessons for Hispanic Heritage Month to ways to immerse your students in the Spanish language and culture, we’ve got you covered.
1. Read and discuss poetry by Hispanic authors
Exploring themes and literary techniques through poetry is the perfect way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! These video lessons come with built-in questions and an SEL component asking for student reflections.
“Ode to My Suit” by Pablo Neruda (Personification, Structure)
In this lesson, students will analyze the use of personification and poetic structure in Pablo Neruda's poem "Ode to My Suit."
"I Am Offering This Poem" by Jimmy Santiago Baca (Repetition, Figurative Language)
In this lesson, students will analyze the use of repetition and figurative language in Jimmy Santiago Baca's poem "I am Offering This Poem."
“Identity” by Julio Noboa Polanco (Figurative Language, Juxtaposition)
In this lesson, students will analyze figurative language and juxtaposition in “Identity” by Julio Noboa Palanco.
2. Bring the Spanish language into the classroom
There are so many ways to introduce your students to the Spanish language! From having your students make bilingual labels to post around the classroom, to listening to music in Spanish, or watching a TV show or movie in Spanish, creating a culturally immersive environment is fun for all students!
3. Explore biographies of Hispanic historical figures
Inspire your students with these Edpuzzle Original video lessons on famous figures from the Hispanic community. You can use these as an intro and have students do further research to learn more!
Dolores Huerta
In this lesson, students will evaluate the efforts used by labor activist Dolores Huerta to advocate for farm workers’ rights.
Mario Molina
In this lesson, students will explore the life of Mario Molina and discover how his research in atmospheric chemistry helped save the planet from an environmental catastrophe.
Ynés Mexía
In this lesson, students will discover the story of Ynés Mexía and explore her lasting impact on the field of botany.
Cesar Chavez
In this lesson, students will explore the life of Cesar Chavez in order to understand the movement for farm workers' rights.
4. Decorate your classroom
From papel picados to Latinx flag art, encourage your students to create art that celebrates Hispanic culture! You can use Edpuzzle to create a video lesson on a specific artistic technique or artist, and then display your students’ artwork around the classroom for a festive environment.
5. Discover Hispanic history and culture
With the collection of Edpuzzle Original social studies video lessons to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, you can give your students a window to Hispanic history and culture. Here are just a few to get you started!
Latinos and WWII
In this lesson, students will explore the experiences of and contributions made by Latinos and Mexican Americans during World War II.
Chicano Movement
In this lesson, students will explain how the Chicano Movement brought about change by exploring their goals, strategies, and outcomes of their work.
Tejanos
In this lesson, students will explore the history of the Tejano people, including their political and cultural contributions to the United States and the world.
Californios
In this lesson, students will explore the history, culture, and legacy of the Californios.
How are you celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with your students? Make sure to let the Edpuzzle teacher community on Twitter know and share your inspiring lesson plans!