Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class

September 6, 2022 Mis Clases Locas by Allison Wienhold

Inside: Resources and ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class. Each year the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage month from September 15 to October 15. As Spanish teachers, this is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the varied cultures, histories, and contributions of Americans with Spanish-speaking heritage. Additionally, see this post for steps towards more equity in class as well. To be honest, in my first years of teaching, I did not do the best job making Hispanic Heritage Month a priority. With the back-to-school hustle and trying to start the year off right, the month of September often flies by. Suddenly it is October and time for Día de Muertos. As Spanish teachers, we know every month should be highlighting and celebrating Latinx voices, but it is also nice to make it a top priority for a month as well. Here are many resources to put culture at the core of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish Class - Shared by Secondary Spanish Space
 

 

Resources & Ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month

What to do during Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class? First, these posts have many resources, links, and ideas to use for Hispanic Heritage Month.

 

Activities for Hispanic Heritage Month

Music in Spanish Class

First, I have found that authentic music is an excellent way to connect with students while getting them engaged in the varied cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. You could play a new song during passing time, at the start of class, as a bell ringer, or use a song as the focus of an entire cultural lesson or unit. Besides these 15 ways to use authentic music in Spanish class, below are more music ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Travel Videos of the Spanish-Speaking World

Students are more visual learners than ever. Grab their attention with short travel videos that show the beauty of the Spanish-speaking world. I created a slideshow that has the country, capital, nationality, two maps, and a travel video for all 22 Spanish-speaking places. Or if you want multiple options for each country, you could get the culture slides bundle. Use these Spanish culture travel videos as a class routine once per week to start each class or as a brain break. Or assign the whole slideshow as a cultural exploration sub-plan.

Films in Spanish Class

Everyone could use and deserves a little break and authentic films for Spanish class do just that. Input in Spanish, while learning about the diverse cultures of the Spanish world is a win-win. First, it all depends on your goals as to what audio and subtitles you use. For upper-level classes, I like to use Spanish audio and Spanish subtitles. For novice classes, I prefer Spanish audio and English subtitles. The only times I use English audio is for culture or maybe early Exploratory class, but with using a culture-rich film. Also, if you are looking for documentaries, check out these 5.  You can find all of my movie guides HERE or my movie guide bundle here. Learn How-To Teach a Movie & here is more info about my 10 fav movies to teach in class. 

Here are a few of my favorite appropriate films for Spanish class sorted by country. 

Or if you teach young students and just want short videos, check out this list of videos for HHM from Mrs. Cabello for lower school.

Art

Also, Art is another cross-curricular way to gain students’ interest. You could read the novel Frida Kahlo by Kristy Placido, do an art unit, or just infuse art by projecting it or using it as decor in your room. Here are other art ideas we well.

 

Reading

Plus, I personally love to use comprehensible cultural readings or novels in Spanish. In my own classroom, I mostly use novels and texts written for Spanish learners. You can see all of my many posts about teaching with novels here. But, if you teach upper levels or heritage learners, this is the perfect time to pull out poetry, short stories, and books written by Hispanic authors. Below are more ideas including authentic infographics, novels, and comprehensible cultural readings.

 

School-Wide Involvement for HHM

Finally, what is better than learning and celebrating HHM in Spanish class? Integrating the entire school and community! You could do something as simple as making a bulletin board in the lunchroom, main hall, or outside your room to help educate the students and educators at your school about this important month. Also, if you want to think beyond school, do a service project, helping those in your community, country, or the world. As a Spanish teacher, you are probably the ambassador of Hispanic Heritage Month in your school. So, if you need more ideas to reach beyond your classroom with HHM, check out the posts below.
Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish Class - Shared by Secondary Spanish Space
 
 
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Typically I have done a song from each Spanish-speaking county music bracket, as well as some cultural readings. Another goal is to take it beyond my classroom. Finally, please share what you are doing in the comments!
 

More blog posts from Allison on Secondary Spanish Space you might be interested in

Comprehensible Input Strategies More Seasonal Posts
 
 
Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish Class - Secondary Spanish Space
 
Originally posted on Secondary Spanish Space by Allison Wienhold  9.12.17 & most recently updated 9.6.22 by Allison Wienhold
Mis Clases Locas by Allison Wienhold

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