Interactive timelines, scavenger hunts, and other resources to teach students about the cultures and contributions of Latinos in the United States

Scholastic's “Celebrate Hispanic Heritage” student activity educates students on the diverse peoples of Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States from more than 20 countries.

• Young students can play the Pinata Concentration Game (PreK–K) to test their memorization skills and learn Spanish vocabulary.
• In My Heritage (PreK–1), Americans of Hispanic descent—from an actress to a scientist—share what their heritage means to them, creating an opportunity to generate discussion and promote empathy among students of different backgrounds.
• By reading complete biographies, students can Meet Famous Latinos (grades 2–5). The bios can also serve as models for student writing.
• Latinos in History (grades 2–5) highlights 25 people of Hispanic heritage who have inspired others with their deeds and contributions, shedding light on Latin culture and connecting with Latin identity.
• In Hispanic History in the Americas (grades 6–8), students can trace Spanish influences in the Americas using an interactive map, teaching them the impact that the Spanish conquest had on Latin America.
• Additionally, students can start a research paper on Spanish Missions (grades 6–8) with Scholastic's Research Starters.

Learning Objectives

While participating in the Celebrate Hispanic Heritage project, students become proficient with several of these standards-based skills:

• Interpret and understand written and spoken Spanish on a variety of topics. (Piñata Concentration)
• Identify and describe traits that represent Hispanic cultures. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos, Hispanic History in the Americas)
• Study and analyze the traditions and culture of Hispanic Americans. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos, Hispanic History in the Americas)
• Read observations Hispanics make about their identity. (My Heritage, Meet Famous Latinos)
• Conduct research on issues of identity and heritage. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos)
• Formulate interview questions based on reading materials. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos, Hispanic History in the Americas)
• Use compiled information to ask questions that seek information not already discussed. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos, Hispanic History in the Americas)
• Understand and summarize the contributions of Hispanic Americans. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos)
• Gather and synthesize information about Hispanic community members by using a variety of informational resources. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos)
• Write a biography about an accomplished American that relates information on heritage and identity. (My Heritage, Latinos in History, Meet Famous Latinos)
• Apply reading comprehension skills, including: main idea, read for detail, draw conclusions