Can you believe it's almost time to find the perfect Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for your Spanish class? As a fellow Spanish teacher, I know we're all buzzing with excitement (and maybe a touch of stress) about planning engaging lessons for this special time. Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, is a vibrant opportunity to immerse our students in the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Let me share with you some ideas and resources to celebrate and teach about Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.
Ready to dive in and explore some engaging ways to bring the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month to life for your students?
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These are just some of the Hispanic Heritage month resources you'll find in my TpT store at the moment, but I'll be creating more, so don't forget to bookmark this page, Pin it to you Pinterest board or visit my TpT store and follow me!
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What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
First things first, let's talk about what Hispanic Heritage Month or El Mes de la Herencia in Spanish really means. Running from September 15 to October 15, this month-long celebration is a vibrant tribute to the cultures, contributions, and rich histories of Hispanic and Latino Americans. But why these specific dates?
Well, it's not random! September 15 marks the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Does Hispanic Heritage Month include Spain?
Now, here's a question that often comes up in our Spanish classrooms: Does Hispanic Heritage Month include Spain?
It's a great question, but the answer is a bit more complicated than a simple sà or no.
Let's break it down:
Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States:
Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States primarily celebrates the cultures, contributions, and histories of Americans with ancestors from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
But we can't ignore Spain's influence on both the Spanish language and the history of many Spanish speaking countries. The cultural ties between Spain and Latin America are undeniable and significant, so famous historical figures do usually pop up. After all, we can't explain the Conquest of the Americas and Wars of Independence without talking about Spain!
El DÃa de la Hispanidad in Spain
While Spain doesn't officially celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it does observe its National Day on October 12th, the feast day of La Virgen del Pilar, Spain’s patron saint. This date also commemorates the arrival of Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) in the Americas in 1492.
So, literally speaking, this celebration falls within the timeframe of Hispanic Heritage Month, but the focus in Spain is quite different.
El DÃa de la Hispanidad doesn’t emphasize the cultural heritage of Spanish-speaking countries but instead centers on Spain’s own history and influence. So this celebration can sometimes be controversial, given Spain's colonial past and its impact on many of the Spanish speaking countries.
So it's up to you really... Will you include Spain in your Spanish Hispanic Heritage month activities or not?
Resources to Make Your Hispanic Heritage Month Spectacular
Now, I know what you're thinking – "I'd love to make this month special for my students, but when am I going to find time to plan all this?" Don't worry, I've got your back! As someone who's been in the trenches (aka the classroom), I know how precious our planning time is. That's why I've created a set of ready-to-use Hispanic Heritage Month resources and class decorations that'll save you time and energy.
Decorate your Spanish Class for Hispanic Heritage Month
Before we start, let's talk about setting the stage for all these fantastic activities!
We all know that a vibrant, culturally rich classroom environment can really enhance the learning experience. And what better time to give your Spanish classroom a makeover than, well, during Hispanic Heritage Month?
You can, of course, get some papel picado banners for your class, but why don't we make your Spanish class decorations for this month a bit more original as well as educational?
I've got some fun and easy-to-use bulletin board letters and borders that'll transform your classroom into a celebration of Hispanic cultures faster than you can say "¡Olé!"
Any of these are a great way to spark conversations about Hispanic culture and history and keep the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month alive in your classroom all year round.
They're easy to print, cut, and put up, saving you precious time as you prepare for Hispanic Heritage Month. Because let's face it, between lesson planning, grading, and trying to remember where you left your café, who has time for elaborate DIY decorations?
And everybody knows a picture is worth a thousand words, but a well-decorated classroom?
That's worth a thousand engaged students! So let's make our classrooms as vibrant and diverse as the cultures we're celebrating!
Photo by pina messina on Unsplash
Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Your Spanish Class
Now, let's get to the fun part – activities! Here are a few ideas for younger or older kids that I'm sure they'll love to do!
Easy Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Activities for Children
You can introduce Hispanic Heritage Month to your students with fun activities that teach them about Spanish speaking countries, history and culture even if they're beginners.
FAMOUS HISPANIC PEOPLE MINI PROJECT CLASSROOM DECOR POSTER BANNERS
So you've already decorated your classroom and now want something for your students to do, or perhaps you wanted to decorate your Spanish classroom with your students' work.
What about these posters where students have to research a famous Hispanic figure and then complete the banner poster with relevant information and decorations?
This activity is great to use in your Spanish class and get your students doing some research. Best of all, you can get them to write it in English with beginner classes or younger students and get the higher grades to do the task in Spanish.
Or you can just use them as they come!
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES - HISPANIC FOOD BINGO
If there's one thing that gets our students excited (besides a surprise movie day), it's food! And when it comes to Hispanic cuisine, there are lots of dishes from different Spanish speaking countries we could explore.
Now, more than likely, your students already know some famous Spanish and Hispanic dishes. Tacos, paella, guacamole, arepas - these might already be part of their culinary vocabulary. But Hispanic cuisine is so much more diverse and exciting!
This bingo game is a perfect way to introduce them to a world of new flavours and cultural experiences and you can use it as an introduction to Hispanic food during Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month or whenever you're working on your food unit. And if food is not your thing, I also have a famous Hispanic people bingo game to match the word wall and the mini project posters.
HISPANIC FOOD DOMINOES VOCABULARY GAME
To complement the Hispanic food bingo game, I have also created these domino pieces.
Students must make a chain with the domino pieces and match the picture to the name of the dish.
This is a great game for even the younger students and comes with a vocabulary table and ideas to make your activity more engaging and get your students talking about food!
Domino games can be played individually or you can get students to play in small groups or in teams, so they're super versatile.
Will you try it?
SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES CAPITALS AND FLAGS BINGO GAME
Can you tell I love bingo games? They are perfect to introduce vocabulary and content to your students, they're short activities and students love them! Best of all, they're suitable for multiple grade levels!
This game is perfect for practicing listening skills, even with beginners and lower grades, and also teaches them some basic geography. Just remember to go through the list with them before you start the game!
With multiple versions of the game, your students can listen for the names of the countries, match nationalities, or connect capitals and flags to the countries you call out. This flexibility keeps the activity fresh and fun for everyone!
SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES CAPITALS AND FLAGS CROSSWORD
Want something your students can use independently or as task for early finishers and still learn about Spanish speaking countries?
Spanish crosswords fit the bill perfectly. Not only do they engage students, but they also enhance vocabulary retention, improve spelling and language skills, and boost critical thinking. To explore more about the advantages of incorporating Spanish crosswords into your curriculum, check out my blog post on the benefits of Spanish crosswords!
Ideal for Hispanic Heritage Month or any time of the year, this no-prep activity works for any grade level, too. With four different versions of the crossword puzzle, you can easily choose the one that best fits your students' proficiency levels.
Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Activities for Middle and High School
Although some of the above activities, like the bingo games are fantastic as quick activities, I know you want something that is more challenging and requires your students to use their language skills in more depth. Here are some ideas and activities to use in your classroom:
COLORING PAGES FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
These Hispanic Heritage Month Coloring Pages in Spanish are an engaging and creative way to celebrate with your Spanish class and care suitable for younger and older teens alike.
With 8 different sheets, students can boost creativity, practice Spanish commands, colors, shapes, and more. This is a great activity also for younger students or for beginners in S1. Use them as a tool for students to communicate in a relaxing setting or get your more confident learners to write their own Hispanic Heritage Month messages.
These pages provide a relaxing activity, encourage self-expression, and can also be used as classroom decor once completed.
ISABEL LA CATÓLICA READING COMPREHENSION AND EMERGENCY SUBSTITUTE PLAN
Isn’t the best way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by immersing your students in the rich history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world? This Spanish Reading Comprehension Passage and Sub Plan is the perfect tool to do just that. Focusing on Queen Isabella, one of the most influential women in Spanish history, this resource not only enhances language skills but also offers a meaningful exploration of Spain's historical impact on the Americas.
Ideal for Hispanic Heritage Month or Columbus Day, this lesson seamlessly blends history with language learning, making it a great choice for regular instruction or as a substitute plan, even if the substitute doesn’t speak Spanish!
With reading and writing activities that span 2 to 3 sessions, this resource is perfect for students at more advanced levels.
Just don't forget to get the buzzer and timer from my essential Spanish classroom materials blog post to make it even more fun!
SPANISH EXPLORERS AND CONQUISTADORS CROSSWORD
If you're planning to teach about the conquest of the Americas, this crossword is a great way to introduce students to famous Spanish explorers. It covers key figures like Hernán Cortés, Juan Ponce de León, and other notable (or notorious) Spanish conquistadors, helping students learn about their achievements and historical impact.
With three different versions, students will solve simple clues to complete the crossword and discover the hidden surprise Spanish explorer within the puzzle. It's an engaging way to reinforce learning and bring history to life in your classroom.
Best of all, you have the flexibility to use it just for the historical context it brings to the classroom, or have students practice Spanish past tenses for some extra grammar work.
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WEBQUEST - 12 INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Now, if you want to include activities about Spain during your Hispanic Heritage Month activities, this Spanish Webquest Activity is the perfect solution! By guiding your students through the research of 12 influential historical and contemporary Spanish figures, this engaging activity not only enhances their language skills but also sparks curiosity and promotes critical thinking.
Designed for flexibility, the Webquest includes both guided fact sheets and open-ended templates, allowing students to tailor their learning experience based on their individual needs. Whether they choose to create vibrant posters or dynamic presentations, your students will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity while discovering fascinating facts about Spanish figures from modern Spain as well as history.
This activity is ideal for cross-curricular Spanish instruction or as a dedicated project for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Making the Most of Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Spanish Class
Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a celebration – it's an incredible opportunity to deepen our students' understanding and appreciation of Hispanic cultures. Whether you're focusing on Latin American countries, including Spain in your lessons, or taking a comprehensive approach to the entire Spanish-speaking world, the most important thing is to foster curiosity, empathy, and enthusiasm for diverse cultures.
Remember, every activity, every lesson, every discussion is a chance to spark a lifelong love for Hispanic cultures and the Spanish language. And isn't that why we became Spanish teachers in the first place?
What are your favourite Hispanic Heritage Month activities? Do you have any special traditions in your classroom? Share your ideas in the comments below – I'd love to hear from you and keep this conversation going!
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