I don’t know about you, but I love Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15)! This infographic does a great job breaking down the history of HHM & its origins! However, although HHM is a fantastic time to celebrate, uplift, and affirm our Hispanic familia, one thing I’ve always longed for is the inclusion of more diverse Latino voices and histories in the conversation & classroom. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
In my decade-plus experience in the Spanish classroom, I’ve noticed a lack of representation of Afro-Latino, Indigenous, & Asian voices in the classroom & pop culture. And if we do spotlight certain figures, we tend to focus on the same people year in and year out. Personally, I like to use HHM as a time to talk about the many voices that contribute to our present-day culture. A bright moment for me was when a student made the realization that it was ironic that the culture of the marginalized is what is exported as the national patrimony of many countries (that kid is going places! lol).
So how can you bring more diverse voices into your HHM celebration? It could be a long-term project or a one-day lesson. The goal is to include a diversity of ethnicities, professions, opinions, backgrounds, genders, etc. There are so many options!
You can start with this freebie below, of biography sheets of awesome famous Afro-Latino & Indigenous people with whom kids can connect and learn about!
Or download below ⬇️
Take a look at some more resources below!
Indigenous Peoples:
- Make sure you grab the Freebie above on Famous Afro-Latinos and Indigenous Peoples!
- Check out this infograph on Indigenous populations in Latin America! Maybe you can use it in class!
- Buy this amazing “done for you” resource where students can learn about different indigenous populations across Latin America! ⬇️
- Have you ever shown this video to your chiquis on cumbia? I show it every year–how Indigenous & Afro voices contributed to this now very famous genre! See below. Lots of good material about both Afro & Indigenous influences:
Afro-Latino Voices:
- Afro-Latino Heritage Research Project: Student Essay + Presentation | Bios: Explore the lives of a curated list of over 60+ Afro-Latinos from diverse backgrounds and professions! Students select one person to study, write about, and create a presentation for the class!
- Famous Afro-Latinos Biographies Fill-In Printables in Spanish | Posters: In this easy, no-prep printable cultural activity, students explore the life of an Afro-Latino and answer 3 basic questions: 1) ¿Qué hace? 2) ¿De dónde es? 3) ¿Cómo es?
- Mix Musical: Afro-Latinos #1 & #2: Students are introduced to the music of a mix of highlighted Afro-Latino musical artists.
- What teachers are saying: “I love using music in the classroom. Thank you for helping me do that!”
Diversifying Hispanic Heritage Month
- The Hispanic Heritage Month Culture Project allows students to explore any route they choose. There is a presentational aspect, so students learn from each other! I have had students explore Arab, Asian, and Indigenous influences in Latin America. The projects are amazing!
- Hispanic Heritage Month Project: Student Essay + Presentation | Biographies: students explore the lives of 45 famous Hispanic people from a wide range of fields and backgrounds through an essay/presentation combination project of a person of their choice. (They only choose 1 person)
- Famous Latino Bios Fill-In Printables in Spanish: students have the option of 1 person out of a plethora of diverse Latinos who represent many different fields and ethnicities. This can be done in a class period.
- No-Prep Hispanic Heritage Month Art Project: Students go on virtual art tours and select a Hispanic artist of their choice to explore and write about!
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Any questions? Let me know!
Un abrazo bien fuerte,
Allison
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