9 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Take a trip through the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum or try your hand at papier-mâché masks.

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States recognizes the contributions, culture, and heritage of the Hispanic and the Latino community. It’s important to celebrate these contributions and also explore the cultures of our Latin American neighbors. By doing so, it helps our students think about what they can do to make a difference and contribute too.

Check out these nine resources to help your students celebrate and appreciate Hispanic Heritage Month.

1. Visit the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum. It also includes a teacher toolkit, score!
2. Make your own Ponce Carnival Mask using papier-mâché.
3. In 1975, Hermosillo, Mexico became Phoenix’s first sister city. Learn more about the city here and apply to be a future ambassador.
4. Check out this lesson (with PowerPoint and worksheets!) about Aztec math.
5. Apply to be part of the Young Ambassadors Program via the Smithsonian Latino Center’s Signature Youth Program.
6. Cesar Chavez is considered one of the most important activists in our country. Learn about the Yuma, Arizona native in this awesome educator toolkit.
7. Explore the building of the Panama Canal in this Google Classroom lesson.
8. Ecuadorian Migajón clay has two ingredients: bread crumbs and regular glue. Try it out with your students.

This six-hour PBS documentary was the first major documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos.