Lesson Plan
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage!
Students will learn the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month, recognize diverse contributions, and identify key facts about the celebration.
Understanding Hispanic Heritage Month fosters cultural awareness, appreciation, and respect for the rich history and vibrant contributions of Hispanic Americans to our society. It celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, visual presentation, and reflection.
Materials
- Hispanic Heritage Slides, - Markers or Colored Pencils, and - Large paper or poster board
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Hispanic Heritage Slides and practice the accompanying Teacher Script.
- Prepare markers or colored pencils and large paper/poster board for a group activity.
- Ensure projector and computer are ready for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "When you hear 'heritage' or 'culture,' what comes to mind?" Allow for a brief class discussion.
- Introduce the concept of Hispanic Heritage Month using Hispanic Heritage Slides (Slide 1-2).
Step 2
Explore Hispanic Heritage
10 minutes
- Present slides explaining Hispanic Heritage Month's history, significance, and key contributions (Slide 3-6) using the Teacher Script.
- Highlight diverse countries, languages, and cultural elements.
- Engage students with questions from the Teacher Script after each major point.
Step 3
Group Activity: Culture Connections
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
- Assign each group a different aspect of Hispanic culture (e.g., music, food, art, notable figures, traditions).
- Provide large paper/poster board and markers.
- Instruct groups to brainstorm and draw/write what they know or learned about their assigned cultural aspect. Encourage them to be creative!
- Circulate to assist and prompt ideas.
Step 4
Share & Reflect
5 minutes
- Have each group briefly share one interesting fact or drawing from their poster.
- Conclude with a quick reflection question: "What is one new thing you learned or found interesting about Hispanic Heritage Month today?"
- Use Cool-Down: One New Thing as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage!
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Let's explore cultures, histories, and contributions!
(Teacher: Ask students: "When you hear 'heritage' or 'culture,' what comes to mind?")
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them what 'heritage' or 'culture' means to them. Connect their answers to the idea of celebrating different backgrounds.
When is it? Why do we celebrate?
September 15th to October 15th
Why these dates?
- Many Latin American countries celebrate their independence around September 15th!
It's a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and amazing contributions of Hispanic Americans to our world!
Explain when Hispanic Heritage Month is and why those dates were chosen (independence days). Emphasize that it's a time to celebrate diverse cultures.
A World of Cultures
Over 20 Countries! Many Languages!
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people from:
- Spain
- Mexico
- Central & South America
- The Caribbean (like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
Spanish is spoken by hundreds of millions of people worldwide! Did you know it's the second most spoken language in the U.S.?
Briefly touch upon the geographical scope – over 20 countries. Mention the primary language, Spanish, and its widespread use.
Tasty Traditions: Food!
Food is a big part of culture!
From tacos to empanadas, ceviche to pupusas, Hispanic cultures have given us so many delicious foods!
- What are some foods you know or love from different cultures?
* How does food bring people together?
Show examples of food. Ask students if they've tried any of these or similar dishes. Discuss how food connects us to culture.
Rhythms & Art: Music, Dance, & Art!
Music and art tell stories!
Think about lively salsa, rhythmic merengue, or beautiful mariachi music. Dance is also a huge part of many Hispanic cultures!
Hispanic artists have created incredible paintings, murals, and sculptures that share stories and traditions.
- What kind of music do you like to listen to?
- How does music make you feel?
Discuss music and dance. Play a short snippet of Latin music if possible. Talk about how music tells stories and expresses feelings.
Amazing Contributions!
Hispanic Americans have made HUGE impacts!
- Science & Innovation: Doctors, engineers, and inventors!
- Arts & Literature: Famous writers, painters, musicians, and actors!
- Sports: Incredible athletes in baseball, soccer, and more!
- Leadership: Community leaders, politicians, and advocates.
Every person's unique background adds to the richness of our world!
Highlight a few well-known figures or general types of contributions (science, sports, arts). Keep it positive and inspiring.
Script
Teacher Script: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage!
Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind? (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really special called Hispanic Heritage Month. Before we dive in, I want you to think for a moment. When you hear words like 'heritage' or 'culture,' what comes to mind? What do those words mean to you? Feel free to share your thoughts with a partner, or if you're comfortable, with the whole class."
(Allow students to share. Guide the discussion to ideas of traditions, family, where people come from, languages, food, celebrations, etc.)
Teacher: "Those are wonderful ideas! Our heritage is like the special story of where our families come from – their traditions, languages, and ways of life. Culture is how a group of people lives, what they believe, what they create. And just like we all have our own unique stories, groups of people have shared stories too."
(Transition to Hispanic Heritage Slides - Slide 1: "Celebrating Hispanic Heritage!")
Explore Hispanic Heritage (10 minutes)
(Display Hispanic Heritage Slides - Slide 2: "When is it? Why do we celebrate?")
Teacher: "So, what exactly is Hispanic Heritage Month? It's a special time from September 15th to October 15th each year. Does anyone know why those specific dates might have been chosen?"
(Pause for student responses. Guide towards independence days.)
Teacher: "That's right! Many Latin American countries celebrate their independence around September 15th, so it's a very meaningful time. During this month, we celebrate the incredible cultures, rich histories, and amazing contributions of Hispanic Americans to our world."
(Display Hispanic Heritage Slides - Slide 3: "A World of Cultures")
Teacher: "When we talk about 'Hispanic,' we're talking about people from a huge part of the world! It includes countries like Spain, Mexico, many countries in Central and South America, and parts of the Caribbean like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. That's over 20 countries! It's a vast and diverse group of people. Most people in these countries speak Spanish. Did you know Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S.? It's spoken by hundreds of millions of people worldwide!"
(Display Hispanic Heritage Slides - Slide 4: "Tasty Traditions: Food!")
Teacher: "One of the best ways to experience a culture is through its food! Hispanic cultures have given us so many delicious dishes. Can anyone name some? Think about tacos, empanadas, ceviche, pupusas... the list goes on and on!"
(Allow for student sharing.)
Teacher: "Food often brings people together, doesn't it? It's a way to share traditions and celebrate."
(Display Hispanic Heritage Slides - Slide 5: "Rhythms & Art: Music, Dance, & Art!")
Teacher: "Music and art are also huge parts of Hispanic cultures. Have you ever heard lively salsa music? Or maybe merengue or mariachi? Dance is a big part of many celebrations. And Hispanic artists have created incredible paintings, murals, and sculptures that tell stories and show traditions. How does music make you feel? What kind of music do you like?"
(Allow for student sharing.)
(Display Hispanic Heritage Slides - Slide 6: "Amazing Contributions!")
Teacher: "Finally, and very importantly, Hispanic Americans have made HUGE impacts in so many areas. They are brilliant scientists and innovators, amazing writers and artists, incredible athletes, and strong leaders in their communities and beyond. Every person's unique background adds something special to our world, and Hispanic Americans have truly enriched it in countless ways."
Group Activity: Culture Connections (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Now it's your turn to explore a bit more! I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will get some large paper and markers. Your task is to brainstorm and draw or write what you know or what you've learned about a specific aspect of Hispanic culture. Some groups might focus on food, others on music, or art, or famous people, or traditions. Be creative! I'll be walking around to help you."
(Divide students, distribute materials, assign topics, and circulate to assist.)
Share & Reflect (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, let's bring it back together! Can each group quickly share one interesting fact or drawing from your poster?"
(Allow each group to share briefly.)
Teacher: "Excellent job, everyone! To wrap up, I want everyone to answer one quick question on an exit ticket. What is one new thing you learned or found interesting about Hispanic Heritage Month today?"
(Distribute Cool-Down: One New Thing exit ticket.)
Teacher: "Thank you for celebrating with me today! I hope you continue to explore and appreciate the wonderful diversity around us."
Cool Down
Cool-Down: One New Thing
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
What is one new thing you learned or found interesting about Hispanic Heritage Month today?