NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
This Resource Toolkit contains lesson plans, videos, photos, exhibits, articles, and PowerPoint slides to be used at American Spaces to recognize the achievements by the Hispanic community in the United States and their role in U.S. history.
LESSON PLANS
The National Education Association offers lesson plans for children of various ages focused on Hispanic Heritage.
The Public Broadcasting Service PBS has produced several educational lesson plans on related topics from expansion to immigration of Hispanic Americans.
WHAT IS NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH?
Each year from September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month. This annual celebration recognizes the achievements by Hispanic Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
“During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize that Hispanic heritage is American heritage. We see it in every aspect of our national life: on our television and movie screens, in the music that moves our feet, and in the foods we enjoy… National Hispanic Heritage Month is an important reminder of how much strength we draw as a Nation from our immigrant roots and our values as a Nation of immigrants.”
President Biden, September 14, 2021
RESOURCES
Smithsonian Latino Center Resources
- This page includes current and archived virtual exhibitions and resources.
- Here’s a sample lesson plan on Art for Social Change:
Hispanic Heritage Month English Language Activity
- This English language reading activity from American English at State gives background on important Hispanic Americans and has a glossary of terms.
Images
Fast facts
- These statistics from the Census Bureau provide about the Hispanic population in the United States
- Here are five interesting facts about the U.S. Latino population in America from the Pew Research Center
FILM RECOMMENDATIONS
- Songs of the Homeland: A History of Tejano Music (1 hour)
- This documentary, which is free on Kanopy through e-LibraryUSA, tells the story of Tejano music and includes performances and interviews with musical pioneers.
- We’ve produced this discussion guide with background information and questions on the film. Kanopy documentaries are free to screen at American Spaces through e-Library USA. Due to the current pandemic, Kanopy has also agreed to allow American Spaces to show these films in closed social media groups or via closed video conference platforms.
- The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs has a licensing agreement to show motion pictures to share U.S. culture abroad at American Spaces. Check out this list of movies. Use key words Hispanic and Latino to find films* related to this month.
ARTICLES
Check out these articles for examples of topics for discussion:
* Post will need to procure these films. The Office of American Spaces is not endorsing these movies as they may not be appropriate for all audiences. Coordinators should screen the films ahead of showing them. Here’s a link with more information on showing movies at the American Spaces.
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
Updated April 2023
