Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Es hora de celebrar — Hispanic Heritage Month begins today!  This celebration of Hispanic culture and tradition is observed September 15 – October 15 every year.  The celebration is timed to coincide with the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

Below are some resources from NEA to help bring Hispanic Heritage Month to your classroom.

• Lesson plans to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
• A list of resources for learning more about Hispanic history, culture, and education.
• Hispanic education issues, scholarships, and other online resources.

NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen, one of the most influential Hispanic educators in the United States, gave a speech yesterday at a gathering of Hispanic community and political leaders.

“The face of America is changing,” Eskelsen said.  “But one thing will not change. It hasn’t changed for over 200 years. Public education will continue to be the key—la llave a la puerta de la oportunidad. Everything hinges on public education because NEA’s mission is to take all children, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, income, language, skills or ability or disability; we take all children and give them the keys to the doors they might want to open.”  Read the complete press release and watch video of Eskelsen and other leaders speaking here.

Hispanics have become the largest minority group in the U.S., and that growth is reflected in America’s public schools. Fifty million students attend public schools. About 20 percent of public school students—10 million children—are Hispanics. Moreover, according to the U.S. Census, one out of every four kindergarten students in the U.S. today is Latino.

How do you plan to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in your classroom?  Leave a comment and share your ideas with your colleagues.