TeachersFirst's Hispanic Americans' Contribution to American Culture

This collection of resources celebrates the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to American culture. From literature and art to music and cuisine, Hispanic Americans have played an integral role in shaping the nation's identity, infusing it with vibrant traditions and innovative perspectives. Through historical narratives, educational materials, and multimedia content, this compilation aims to illuminate the diverse voices and experiences that have influenced everything from the civil rights movement to contemporary pop culture. By exploring these resources, we honor the past and recognize the ongoing impact of Hispanic Americans in crafting a more inclusive and dynamic society.

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Unveiling Hidden Stars: remarkable Latino contributions in the history of the United States - UnidosUS

Grades
4 to 12
Read about the significant underrepresentation of Latino achievements in U.S. history education. A joint study by UnidosUS and Johns Hopkins University revealed that only 13% of essential...more
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Read about the significant underrepresentation of Latino achievements in U.S. history education. A joint study by UnidosUS and Johns Hopkins University revealed that only 13% of essential topics related to the Latino experience are adequately covered in current textbooks. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating Latino narratives into the broader American story to provide a more accurate and inclusive historical perspective. It highlights notable figures such as Juan Garrido, the first documented Black person in North America, and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore the West Coast. Educators are encouraged to incorporate these contributions into their curricula to enrich students' understanding of the nation's diverse heritage.

tag(s): hispanic (46)

In the Classroom

Create cards with the names of lesser-known Latino figures on one set and their contributions on another. Students can work in pairs or small groups to match them correctly. As a class or in small groups, have students build a visual timeline featuring the historical events and figures mentioned in the article. Use Sutori, reviewed here or Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here and include images, dates, and impact statements. Students can review their current history textbook's index or chapters to see how (or if) Latino contributions are represented. They can compare it to information from the UnidosUS article.
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Hispanic Heritage Month - National Archives

Grades
3 to 6
The National Archives' Hispanic Heritage Month page offers educators a rich collection of primary sources and historical records to celebrate and explore the contributions of Hispanic...more
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The National Archives' Hispanic Heritage Month page offers educators a rich collection of primary sources and historical records to celebrate and explore the contributions of Hispanic Americans. The site features documents, photographs, and exhibits highlighting influential figures such as Justice Sonia Sotomayor, labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa. Educators can access materials on immigration, civil rights, and cultural achievements, providing students with authentic insights into Hispanic and Latino experiences in U.S. history.

tag(s): civil rights (219), cultures (226), hispanic (46), immigrants (48)

In the Classroom

Introduce students to influential Hispanic Americans featured on the site (ex., Cesar Chavez, Sonia Sotomayor, Dolores Huerta). Read short biographical clues aloud while students guess who is described. Then, show a related photo or document from the Archives. Using images and brief descriptions from the site, students can create a timeline highlighting key moments and contributions of Hispanic Americans in U.S. history. Do this with chart paper, index cards, or a digital tool like Sutori, reviewed here or Timeline, reviewed here. Give students an age-appropriate primary source (photo, letter, or poster). In small groups, they can act as "document detectives" to answer guided questions about who created it, why, and what it tells us about Hispanic heritage.
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9 Resources for Teaching About Hispanic Heritage - International Society for Technology in Education

Grades
3 to 8
The ISTE blog post "9 Resources for Teaching About Hispanic Heritage" offers a curated list of engaging digital tools and platforms to help educators meaningfully incorporate Hispanic...more
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The ISTE blog post "9 Resources for Teaching About Hispanic Heritage" offers a curated list of engaging digital tools and platforms to help educators meaningfully incorporate Hispanic Heritage Month into their classrooms. Each resource highlights the contributions, culture, and history of Hispanic and Latino communities through interactive activities, videos, virtual exhibits, and lesson plans. The article emphasizes culturally responsive teaching and provides teachers with practical ideas to foster inclusivity and deeper student understanding.

tag(s): cultures (226), hispanic (46)

In the Classroom

Students can explore the Latino Culture in the U.S. exhibit on Google Arts & Culture. In small groups, have students select one artwork or artifact and then share what they learned with the class in a mini "gallery talk." Using tools like Google Slides, reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here, students can create a digital story map that highlights the life and achievements of a notable Hispanic or Latino figure. Include images, quotes, and key facts. After exploring resources like the Smithsonian Learning Lab, students can create a collage (digital using Photo Joiner, reviewed here or physical) that represents elements of Hispanic culture--such as food, festivals, music, and language--along with brief descriptions.
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Hispanic Heritage Month for Kids - KidsKonnect

Grades
3 to 7
 
This educational video from KidsKonnect provides an engaging overview of Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting its origins, significance, and the rich contributions of Hispanic and...more
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This educational video from KidsKonnect provides an engaging overview of Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting its origins, significance, and the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to U.S. culture and history. The video explains why the celebration runs from September 15 to October 15, ties it to Latin American independence days, and features notable figures like Sonia Sotomayor, Cesar Chavez, Rita Moreno, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. It is geared toward elementary and middle school learners. It also explores themes such as cultural identity, immigration, and community values, all while incorporating fun trivia--like a spotlight on Dora the Explorer as a cultural icon. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): cultures (226), famous people (28), hispanic (46)

In the Classroom

In small groups, students create a visual collage (paper or digital using PhotoCollage reviewed here) of Hispanic and Latino foods, music, holidays, and famous figures from the video. Students select a Hispanic or Latino figure from the video and, using an "I Am" poem format, write in that person's voice, sharing their background, dreams, and impact. Before watching, introduce 3-5 trivia questions based on the video (ex., "Which cartoon character teaches Spanish while adventuring?"). Students answer as they watch, then discuss in pairs or small groups afterward.
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Influential Hispanic Americans - Biography.com

Grades
4 to 12
The Biography.com feature "23 Influential Hispanic Americans Who Have Made History" offers an engaging overview of prominent Hispanic figures whose achievements have significantly impacted...more
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The Biography.com feature "23 Influential Hispanic Americans Who Have Made History" offers an engaging overview of prominent Hispanic figures whose achievements have significantly impacted American society. The article highlights individuals across various fields, including politics, arts, science, and activism. Notable figures include Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic American on the U.S. Supreme Court; labor leader Cesar Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers; and EGOT-winning performer Rita Moreno. This resource serves as an excellent tool for educators aiming to introduce students to the diverse contributions of Hispanic Americans.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): famous people (28), hispanic (46)

In the Classroom

Create a list of fun facts (ex., "Find someone who won an Olympic medal" or "Find a person who was a Supreme Court Justice") and have students search the article to match each clue with the correct person. Choose two individuals from different fields, such as music vs. science, and have students complete a Venn diagram. The Venn diagram can be done on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. Students write an imaginary interview with a historical figure from the article. Have students create a list of five thoughtful questions and what the person might say in response.
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Facts about US Latinos - Pew Research Center

Grades
6 to 12
Explore up-to-date demographic insights into the Latino population in the United States. When this resource was created, Latinos accounted for 19% of the U.S. population, totaling 63.6...more
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Explore up-to-date demographic insights into the Latino population in the United States. When this resource was created, Latinos accounted for 19% of the U.S. population, totaling 63.6 million people, and were responsible for 53% of the nation's population growth since 2010. The article highlights the diversity within the Latino community, noting that individuals of Mexican origin make up nearly 60% of the U.S. Latino population, followed by Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans, Cubans, Dominicans, Guatemalans, Colombians, and Hondurans. Additionally, it discusses the significant increase in multiracial identification among Latinos, with more than 27 million identifying with more than one race in 2022, up from 3 million in 2010. These findings offer valuable context for educators aiming to incorporate comprehensive and current information about Latino communities into their curricula.

tag(s): cultures (226), hispanic (46), population (51)

In the Classroom

Post key statistics from the article around the classroom. Students can rotate in pairs or small groups, reading and discussing each fact. Use prompts like "What surprises you?" or "Why might this be important?" Students write a short argumentative essay using statistics from the article to support a claim such as "Latino contributions are essential to the future of the U.S.". Using the article's breakdown of Latino origins (ex., Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban), students create a U.S. map showing where different Latino populations are most concentrated. Consider completing the map online using Google My Maps, reviewed here.
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9 National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Students - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Grades
3 to 12
Check out this curated collection of engaging activities designed to honor and explore Hispanic Americans' contributions and culture. Find a variety of lesson ideas suitable for different...more
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Check out this curated collection of engaging activities designed to honor and explore Hispanic Americans' contributions and culture. Find a variety of lesson ideas suitable for different grade levels, such as student-led research projects on influential Hispanic figures, cultural celebrations featuring traditional music and dance, and creative writing assignments inspired by Hispanic literature. These activities aim to foster cultural awareness and appreciation, providing teachers with practical tools to integrate Hispanic Heritage Month into their curriculum effectively

tag(s): art history (108), creative writing (126), cultures (226), hispanic (46)

In the Classroom

Students can use MyLens reviewed here to create a timeline of events leading up to the Grape Strike and boycott. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music genres like salsa, mariachi, or reggaeton. Follow with a discussion or simple dance session to explore how music reflects cultural identity. Read a poem or story by a Hispanic author (e.g., Gary Soto or Sandra Cisneros), then have students write a short piece inspired by the themes, style, or setting of the work.
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The Latin Rhythms of Despacito - Teach Rock

Grades
4 to 8
   
The Latin Rhythms of Despacito lesson plan from TeachRock introduces students to four Latin American music styles- Reggaeton, Musica Jibara, Cumbia, and Salsa- and examines their...more
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The Latin Rhythms of Despacito lesson plan from TeachRock introduces students to four Latin American music styles- Reggaeton, Musica Jibara, Cumbia, and Salsa- and examines their influence on Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's hit song "Despacito." Through video content and musical analysis activities, students learn how producers Mauricio Rengifo and Andres Torres incorporated elements from these genres into the track. This lesson encourages students to identify and discuss the integration of these musical styles within "Despacito" and to explore the broader impact of Latin American music on popular culture.

tag(s): hispanic (46), music theory (47), rhythm (22)

In the Classroom

Play short clips of Reggaeton, Musica Jibara, Cumbia, and Salsa to introduce students to the rhythms discussed in the lesson. Ask students to identify the unique rhythm patterns in each style and discuss how these rhythms are used in modern music. Divide the class into small groups, each assigned to one of the four Latin genres (Reggaeton, Musica Jibara, Cumbia, Salsa). Have groups create a playlist of songs that exemplify the genre and explain why these songs fit within the musical style. Introduce students to the dance styles associated with each genre (e.g., salsa dancing and Reggaeton movement). Discuss how music and dance are culturally interconnected and how they reflect the communities from which they originated. Have students listen to "Despacito" and analyze the lyrics for their cultural references, themes, and storytelling techniques. Students could compare the lyrics of "Despacito" to another popular song, discussing similarities and differences in themes, cultural references, and music styles. Compare lyrics using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram.
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Hispanic Heritage Month - National Education Association

Grades
K to 12
   
The NEA's Hispanic Heritage Month page offers valuable tools and tips for educators to celebrate and integrate Hispanic culture into their classrooms. It includes a variety of lesson...more
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The NEA's Hispanic Heritage Month page offers valuable tools and tips for educators to celebrate and integrate Hispanic culture into their classrooms. It includes a variety of lesson plans, activities, and resources designed to engage students while fostering an appreciation for Hispanic contributions to history, culture, and society. The site covers different grade levels and subjects, ensuring educators have many options. Additionally, it provides guidance on using culturally responsive teaching strategies to support student engagement and create an inclusive learning environment. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): central america (26), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (226), dance (33), hispanic (46), south america (77)

In the Classroom

Have students select a country from the Hispanic world and research its culture, traditions, and famous figures. They can create a presentation or a digital poster to share with the class, allowing students to explore diverse aspects of Hispanic heritage using a platform such as Canva, reviewed here. Using a large map of Latin America and Spain, have students pin locations based on historical events or contributions of notable Hispanic individuals discussed in class using a resource such as Google My Maps, reviewed here. Invite a guest speaker from the local Hispanic community or arrange a virtual field trip to a Hispanic cultural center or museum. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music and dance styles like salsa, flamenco, or mariachi.
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National Museum of the American Latino - Smithsonian

Grades
K to 12
   
The Smithsonian Latino Center website offers rich educational resources focused on Latino history, art, and culture. Explore the exhibits, virtual tours, and multimedia content that...more
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The Smithsonian Latino Center website offers rich educational resources focused on Latino history, art, and culture. Explore the exhibits, virtual tours, and multimedia content that highlight the diverse contributions of Latino communities to the United States. The site provides access to digital collections, lesson plans, and videos that align with various subjects like history, social studies, and art. Engaging tools like the Smithsonian Learning Lab allow educators to create interactive learning experiences. This site is invaluable for integrating Latino culture and history into the classroom, promoting inclusivity and multicultural understanding. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): art history (108), cultures (226), hispanic (46), virtual field trips (131)

In the Classroom

Using the Smithsonian Latino Center's digital collections, have students choose a cultural artifact. Examples could be a piece of art, clothing, or an important document. Have students explore the virtual exhibits and collections from the Smithsonian Latino Center. Afterward, they can create a digital or physical gallery walk, selecting their favorite pieces or artifacts and writing brief descriptions. Host a classroom or school-wide event where students explore various aspects of Latino culture, from music and dance to food and traditions. Students can collaborate to create a short performance or video that encapsulates what they've learned or invite local Latino artists or community members to share their experiences.
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Famous Latinos and Latinas - National Museum of the American Latino

Grades
9 to 12
The website shares information on famous Latinos and Latinas. Scroll down the page to find categories for Activists, Pioneers, Entertainers and Athletes, and others. Upon clicking on...more
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The website shares information on famous Latinos and Latinas. Scroll down the page to find categories for Activists, Pioneers, Entertainers and Athletes, and others. Upon clicking on the hyperlink for each person, you will be directed to a website that will give you more information about the individual.

tag(s): hispanic (46), museums (52)

In the Classroom

After visiting the website, students can create a Google Slide, reviewed here, or Book Creator, reviewed here about a person that is listed on the site to share. Students can also use School AI, reviewed here to have a conversation with the person. Finally, students can have a classroom debate as to who is the most influential Latino or Latina.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Art Lesson Ideas - Art With Trista

Grades
5 to 12
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring the artwork of eleven famous Hispanic artists, both past and present. Information on the page includes a short introduction to each of...more
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring the artwork of eleven famous Hispanic artists, both past and present. Information on the page includes a short introduction to each of the artists, their style of art, and suggestions for student projects. Scroll down the page to find a link to download a free set of four Hispanic Heritage Month posters after signing up for a free newsletter.

tag(s): artists (87), central america (26), cross cultural understanding (178), hispanic (46), mexico (46), picasso (5), posters (43), south america (77)

In the Classroom

Although some of the artist summaries include links to purchase lessons, the information on this site provides an excellent starting point for learning about Hispanic artists and suggestions for student art projects. Use Figjam, reviewed here to create a collaborative presentation for students to explore the works of the artists mentioned on this site and others. Include links to videos and articles that provide biographical information on the artists and tell more of their stories. Extend learning by asking students to select an artist and create a work in their style. Share student projects throughout Hispanic Heritage Month to learn more about each artist and the different types of art represented in their works.
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Hispanic Heritage Month - Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino

Grades
K to 12
 
The Smithsonian Museum shares this website explaining the history behind Hispanic Heritage Month and provides numerous resources for learning more about Latino American experiences....more
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The Smithsonian Museum shares this website explaining the history behind Hispanic Heritage Month and provides numerous resources for learning more about Latino American experiences. Visit the different areas of the site to learn about Latino culture, Independence Days, food, art, and famous Latinos; another portion of the site shares educational resources, including teaching and learning resources.

tag(s): artists (87), central america (26), cross cultural understanding (178), dance (33), hispanic (46), south america (77), women (154)

In the Classroom

Include this site with other resources you use to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Find additional ideas at the TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: National Hispanic Heritage Month Resources, reviewed here. As students learn about Hispanic countries, use MapHub, reviewed here to create interactive maps with photos of important locations. Take students on a virtual visit using Google Arts and Culture, reviewed here to learn more about Hispanic locations, culture, and significant members of the Hispanic community using "Hispanic" as a keyword search.
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Latinx Authors and History - CommonLit

Grades
3 to 12
  
This eighty-one-piece informational text set shares poems, short stories, memoirs, and informational text that explore the experiences of Latinx, Chicano, and Hispanic individuals and...more
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This eighty-one-piece informational text set shares poems, short stories, memoirs, and informational text that explore the experiences of Latinx, Chicano, and Hispanic individuals and movements. The thumbnail view of each text includes a summary, suggested grade level, type of text, and Lexile level. Some texts are available without registration; however, creating a free account on CommonLit provides members access to all available features, including the teachers' guide, related media, and full access to the included activities. Be sure to watch the short video Show Me to learn how to explore a topic with text sets.

tag(s): differentiation (86), hispanic (46), literature (221), poetry (195), reading comprehension (152), Teacher Utilities (202)

In the Classroom

Learn more about the many valuable features and options provided by CommonLit, reviewed here. Assign and include these informational texts as part of a Hispanic Heritage Month unit, non-fiction lessons, or as part of a poetry unit. Differentiate activities based on student interest and reading abilities using the materials included in this text set. Enhance student learning by challenging students to create a concept map using mindmaps, reviewed here, that shares information and key concepts learned from these activities. Extend student learning by asking them to create an interactive map to learn more about the featured Latinx individuals and movements using StoryMaps, reviewed here. Include images, videos, documents, and more to tell the stories of the featured individuals with StoryMaps.
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Cesar Chavez: Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist Video - PBS Learning Media

Grades
3 to 8
   
This four-minute video teaches students how Cesar Chavez established the United Farm Workers union to advocate for farm workers. In addition, this resource includes a lesson plan that...more
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This four-minute video teaches students how Cesar Chavez established the United Farm Workers union to advocate for farm workers. In addition, this resource includes a lesson plan that integrates the video into a broader topic that features learning about Chavez by examining a primary source document that displays an image of Chavez organizing workers outside of a supermarket in 1969 (click view the lesson plan then click procedure and click the image). Share the link with students through your Google Classroom or on your class website with the provided link. Additional options offer registered users the ability to build a custom lesson that includes the video and other resources added by the teacher.

tag(s): agriculture (52), hispanic (46), migration (45)

In the Classroom

Create a free PBS Learning Media account to add this video and resources to a learning activity. Then, easily add questions related to the video on a slide presentation that includes the video and other resources from PBS or your device. Assign Learning Media lessons to a class you create, to Google Classroom, or get a quick assign code to share with students to access the lessons without signing in. Creating and assigning a task with several learning activities works well with flipped and blended learning activities. Extend learning by asking students to research and learn about other Hispanic leaders. Ask them to share their knowledge by creating interactive images using Genially, reviewed here, explainer videos using moovly, reviewed here, or podcast episodes hosted on Buzzsprout, reviewed here.
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Teaching Central America: Teaching Ideas for Elementary - Teaching for Change

Grades
K to 6
  
This resource, Teaching Central America, shares various lessons and guides to support educators in teaching about Central America. Topics include lessons based on Hispanic-themed fiction...more
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This resource, Teaching Central America, shares various lessons and guides to support educators in teaching about Central America. Topics include lessons based on Hispanic-themed fiction and non-fiction picture books, an interactive map, and short biographies of Central American leaders. Use the link below each description to access the included materials; most links lead to a PDF document; however, a couple of lessons require free registration by providing your email to access the materials.

tag(s): book lists (168), central america (26), ecosystems (85), hispanic (46), migration (45)

In the Classroom

Bookmark and save Teaching Central America as a resource for finding multicultural books and lessons to include in your classroom for Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year. Organize your saved bookmarks using Padlet, reviewed here. For example, create a column that includes your saved ideas for teaching about Central America, another for the Caribbean, and one for South America. Use Google My Maps, reviewed here, either as a class or with groups of students, to create interactive maps of places students learn about in Central America. Add links to your website or a column to the Padlet for class-created activities, informational articles, and videos that extend learning beyond the resources shared on this site. Some of the teaching materials include correlation to standards.
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The Kennedy Center Dance Collection - The Kennedy Center

Grades
K to 12
   
Discover the culture and history of dance worldwide and its importance in telling stories through movement and music using this rich and varied collection of resources. This site contains...more
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Discover the culture and history of dance worldwide and its importance in telling stories through movement and music using this rich and varied collection of resources. This site contains groups, lessons, information from featured artists, and more, covering many dance genres. In addition, media resources feature videos that teach dance, provide information on dance companies worldwide, and visit featured artists.

tag(s): chinese new year (5), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (226), dance (33), hispanic (46), jazz (17), native americans (116), poetry (195), stories and storytelling (63)

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many free resources on this site to add dance to music lessons and cultural units and enrich topics featuring people and places worldwide. Each resource includes tags, and the lessons include suggested grade levels, use these links to find additional resources for classroom use. As you include information from this site, use an online whiteboard tool such as FigJam, reviewed here, to engage students in learning. For example, add a link to a video from the site about a featured artist and ask students to share their learning or post questions to explore further. Ask students to share their understanding using one of the many tools found Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. For example, ask students to create a website of a featured dance style, while other students create a video sharing dance and cultural information about their chosen group of people or country.
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Reading Treks: The Distance Between Us - TeachersFirst

Grades
5 to 9
 
Embark on a virtual field trip to follow the journey of Reyna Grande, an undocumented Mexican teen, as she tries to find her identity as both a Mexican and an ...more
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Embark on a virtual field trip to follow the journey of Reyna Grande, an undocumented Mexican teen, as she tries to find her identity as both a Mexican and an American. This Reading Trek provides a robust set of learning activities and extension resources to engage learners in exploring this book through a virtual journey using Google Maps. Use our robust Instructional Guide with students in grades 5-9. Content correlates to Common Core Standards, ISTE Student Standards, National Core Arts Standards for Visual Arts, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. Find the entire collection of Reading Treks here.

tag(s): hispanic (46), identity (37), immigrants (48), mexico (46)

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many suggested classroom uses for this resource found on the Instructional Guide (PDF). After reading this book and completing the activities found in the Reading Trek, ask students to document their identity using a tool like Odyssey, reviewed here. Use Odyssey to create a map-based story that includes images, text, videos, and photos. Find more ideas for teaching identity at this Discover My Identity Lesson Plan, reviewed here.
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Reading Treks: Esperanza Rising - TeachersFirst

Grades
3 to 6
  
TeachersFirst Reading Treks create a virtual field trip of resources about a piece of literature or text using the My Maps feature of Google Maps. This Reading Trek provides inspiration...more
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TeachersFirst Reading Treks create a virtual field trip of resources about a piece of literature or text using the My Maps feature of Google Maps. This Reading Trek provides inspiration and suggestions for using the trade book, Esperanza Rising. Use our robust Instructional Guide with students in grades 3-6. Content correlates to Common Core Standards, National Core Arts Standards for Visual Arts, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. Find the entire selection of Reading Treks here.

tag(s): 1920s (5), 1930s (20), great depression (30), hispanic (46), immigrants (48), racism (83)

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many suggested classroom uses for this resource found on the Instructional Guide (PDF). This book and the suggested activities work well as part of lessons on racism and living conditions in the 1920s and 1930s on Mexican farms. Consider using the historical information and primary sources from the book to have students create timelines of the important events during the story. Find a variety of free online timeline creation tools located here. Use Google My Maps, reviewed here to create and share custom maps. As students conduct research related to life on Mexican farms during the 1920s and 1930s, use Fiskkit, reviewed here as a collaborative discussion tool. Use Fiskkit to share the link of any online article with students, then the site's tools provide the opportunity to highlight and add comments to areas within the article by users.
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All About the Holidays - PBS Learning Media

Grades
K to 12
 
Learn about the history and significance behind many holidays through this video collection from PBS Learning Media. Begin browsing by choosing from fall, winter, spring, or summer...more
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Learn about the history and significance behind many holidays through this video collection from PBS Learning Media. Begin browsing by choosing from fall, winter, spring, or summer holidays. Each section includes short videos explaining the history of the holiday. Learn about holidays such as Yom Kippur, Oktoberfest, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), Kwanzaa, Juneteenth, Father's Day, and many others! Each selection also includes links to standards along with additional links to supporting materials such as lesson plans or printable items. Not seeing a holiday you want such as 100 days of school? Use the search bar at the top!

tag(s): 100thday (9), back to school (55), chinese new year (5), christmas (38), cinco de mayo (10), easter (10), elections (81), fathers day (17), fire prevention (17), flag day (5), halloween (33), hanukkah (12), hispanic (46), holidays (194), july 4th (12), Juneteenth (22), kwanzaa (12), labor day (5), martin luther king (46), new years (5), pi (28), presidents (136), rosh hashanah (13), st patricks day (12), thanksgiving (24), valentines day (11), veterans (27), women (154), womenchangemaker (39), womens suffrage (52), yom kippur (15)

In the Classroom

Bookmark this site to use as a resource for teaching material during holidays throughout the year. For each holiday use a bookmarking site such as Wakelet, reviewed here, to organize and share lesson materials, videos, and game sites for your students. Instead of worksheets or written reports, enhance student learning by asking them to create infographics sharing information about any holiday. Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, is a very easy to use tool that includes pre-made templates. Don't keep student learning to yourself, share their knowledge through holiday podcasts for your entire school and community to hear. Spotify for Podcastors (was Anchor), reviewed here, features many kid-friendly tools to get you started with creating and sharing podcasts.
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