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Saludos Amigos!
The U.S. is a nation of immigrants. Many of the largest ethnic groups have created their own cultural celebrations.
Some of these celebrations have evolved into national celebrations: African-American History Month (February); Irish-American Heritage Month (March); Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May); and American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November).
Hispanic Americans officially began celebrating their history and culture in September 1968, when Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week including Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15).
Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it's the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
Most Hispanic Americans are immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central American countries. They are presently the largest and fastest-growing ethnic group of citizens in the U.S., and thus Latino culture has significantly influenced our music, art, food, and language. Spanish is already the most popular world language studied in U.S. schools by non-Hispanics.
Unfortunately, the illegal immigration problem may have affected public attitudes toward Hispanics. Teachers can help students see the positive side of Hispanic immigration by focusing them on the contributions and culture of Hispanic Americans who came here legally and chose to become U.S. citizens.
Activity: Hispanic culture has had and will continue to have a major impact on many aspects of our lives regardless of the outcome of the illegal immigrant issue. To help students understand and appreciate the contributions of Hispanic Americans, teachers should assign students two- to three-minute oral (or PowerPoint) reports that use at least three eLibrary resources.
Students should be assigned different topics that help define Hispanic culture. Here are some examples for you to use in making assignments: history, music, sports, food, dress, entertainment, political leaders, scientists, engineers, etc. Students should address the following essential questions for critical thinking in their reports:
- Who are some famous or successful Hispanic Americans?
- What are some of their accomplishments?
- What background did they come from?
- What obstacles did they have to overcome to achieve success?
- What is your favorite part of Hispanic culture and why?
Search Pathfinder 1: Click the Topics search tab > United States History > Special Subjects > Hispanic-American History
Search Pathfinder 2: Regional Studies > Countries of the World > Americas > North America > Mexico > History > Special Subjects > Mexico & the United States > Chicano History > Life & Culture
BookCart Pathfinder: Copy a ProQuest Carts model BookCart to your Local Carts collection (learn how) > click ProQuest Carts tab > Ethnic Culture and Interests folder > Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration > click the copy icon
This BookCart contains models of essential questions for critical thinking as well as a place for teachers or librarians to type instructions for students and include pathfinders to print resources as well.
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