Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Engaging Resources for the Classroom
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15 each year, offers an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural contributions made by Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. It’s a time to highlight influential Hispanic figures who have shaped art, music, literature, sports, and more. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate meaningful activities into your classroom, here are some tried-and-true resources that have helped my students engage with Hispanic heritage during this important celebration.
1. 30 Hispanic Heritage Month Mini Biographies
Need a quick, engaging way to introduce notable Hispanic figures to your students? These 30 mini biographies are perfect! Each biography features influential artists, musicians, writers, athletes, and more. From Frida Kahlo to Roberto Clemente, students will learn about figures who’ve left a lasting impact on history and culture.
These biographies are versatile and can be used as:
- Bellringers: Start each class with a short reading about a different person.
- Task cards: Students can rotate through the biographies and answer questions in pairs or small groups.
This resource is perfect for sparking classroom discussions, practicing reading comprehension, and exposing students to vocabulary in the target language.
2. ¡Qué Memoria! Influential Hispanic Heritage Figures Memory Cards
Remember playing memory card games as a child? Now, you can bring that same excitement to your classroom with a fun and educational twist! ¡Qué Memoria! Influential Hispanic Heritage Figures Memory Cards combines a classic game format with learning. For each match, students read a simple description of a Hispanic figure on one card and match it with the corresponding name and image on another.
This activity can be used in several ways:
- Centers: A great addition to your rotating station activities.
- Fast-finishers: Keep students engaged with this interactive option.
- Small group activity: Use it to promote collaboration and critical thinking.
The memory cards are also an excellent tool for review, helping students recall important information while having fun. Plus, it’s distance-learning-friendly, with digital adaptations that allow students to play online.
3. Pasaporte Cultural: Hispanic Heritage Month
Want your students to explore Hispanic culture in an organized way? The Pasaporte Cultural is a great resource to help students document what they’ve learned throughout the month. Each student gets a “passport” to fill out as they explore Hispanic Heritage Month, recording their research on important figures, traditions, and cultural practices.
This tool encourages independent research and can be integrated into a broader unit on Hispanic culture. It helps students stay organized and see the connections between the different aspects of Hispanic heritage.
4. Hispanic Heritage Month Flyer Project
Looking for a creative project that encourages research and presentation skills? The Hispanic Heritage Month Flyer Project lets students explore various Spanish-speaking countries’ culture, history, and traditions. Students design a flyer showcasing what they’ve discovered, focusing on the culture, key traditions, and famous people from these countries.
Not only does this project help students develop their written and oral communication skills, but it also promotes teamwork. As an extension activity, the student-created flyers can be displayed around the classroom for a gallery walk. This way, students can view and learn from each other’s work, turning the project into an interactive learning experience.
5. Hispanic Heritage Gallery Walk
Need a quick yet impactful activity for Hispanic Heritage Month? The Hispanic Heritage Gallery Walk freebie is a fantastic option! It includes four short biographies of influential Hispanic figures, along with comprehension questions and an optional extension activity.
This gallery walk can be completed in one class period, giving students the chance to learn about key Hispanic individuals while practicing their reading comprehension. Did I mention it’s free? You can download this resource from my library by subscribing to my newsletter for exclusive access.
6. Hispanic Heritage Month Digital Escape Room
Who doesn’t love an escape room? This Digital Escape Room is the perfect way to engage students in problem-solving while reinforcing what they’ve learned about Hispanic heritage. In this activity, students work through clues and challenges related to influential Hispanic figures, cultural traditions, and historical events.
The digital format makes it easy to use both in-class and during distance learning. It’s a fun, interactive way to review information and keep students motivated while learning about Hispanic culture.
These resources have made a significant impact in my classroom, helping students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in meaningful and engaging ways. Whether through biographies, interactive games, or creative projects, each activity brings students closer to understanding and appreciating the contributions of Hispanic communities.
Looking to enhance your classroom celebrations this year? Check out these resources in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Plus, don’t forget to download the free Hispanic Heritage Gallery Walk by subscribing to my newsletter for exclusive access!
Have your tried any of these Hispanic Heritage Month resources with your students? Do you want to? Tell me about it and drop a comment below.
If you liked this post…
If you liked this blog post, you may be interested in these:
- Digital Learning Stations in the Spanish Classroom
- ¡Yo tengo! ¿Quién tiene? as a Digital Extension Activity
- How to Assign Boom Cards
Don’t forget to pin this post to check out these ideas for later. 😉
Hasta pronto,
Jade 😁
