Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month -- celebrated annually from September 15 through October 15 -- honors the cultural diversity and unique contributions of the Hispanic community -- people in the United States who come from any of 20 different Spanish-speaking countries.

In 1968, Congress passed a joint resolution to recognize Hispanic heritage in the United States with a weeklong celebration. Twenty years later, Hispanic Heritage Week was expanded to a month long observance beginning on September 15 and ending on October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month is timed to coincide with the celebration of Mexico's -- and other South American countries' -- independence from Spanish rule on September 15 and 16.

This lesson is designed to help students learn about the cultures and contributions of people of Hispanic heritage. Students will investigate countries that speak Spanish and create a travel brochure.

Objectives:

Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world
Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

Time Required:

1 week

Vocabulary:

Spanish, travel guide, brochure, country, language, currency, climate, tourism, attractions

Materials:

Samples of travel guides or brochures
Student-researched library sources or computers with Internet access
Student-selected materials for creating travel guides
Student handout "Viajamos"of what is to be on brochures.
Student handout "Oral Presentation"

Procedures:

Prior to the lesson, contact a local travel agency to get several samples of travel guides or brochures.
Define the term travel guide for students. Show students samples of travel guides. Discuss the kinds of information included in each sample.
Have students choose or assign each student one of the following countries where Spanish is the official language: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Tell students to use library sources or the Internet to research information about their chosen or assigned countries. Tell students their guides must include general background information about the country, places of interest, and activities for visitors.
After students complete their research, have them design and create the guide using any materials they choose.

Evaluation:

Evaluate students' completed travel guides using rubric.

Travel Brochure Rubric

Extension Activities:

Have students create a diorama of their country. The Diorama must clearly depict the country assigned.

Home Learning:

Students will prepare an oral report to deliver the information compiled for the brochure in front of the class. Each student will talk for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. After all of the students have presented their project, each student will choose which country they would most want to visit and explain his/her reasons.

Oral Presentation Handout

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