Officially adopted in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th through October 15th and marks the contributions of Hispanic Americans and Latinos to American life. This designation by President Ronald Reagan expanded an earlier one-week commemoration signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.
The largest minority population in the nation, Hispanics and Latinos have strongly influenced U.S. culture since before its founding. Use these top free lessons and activities to help your students explore the impact and achievements of Americans with Hispanic and Latino ancestry.
Best Free Hispanic Heritage Month Lessons and Activities
What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino? (opens in new tab)
Language can be clarifying or confusing. The terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx may be used interchangeably but have different meanings. Learn the differences in this brief, clarifying article from Encyclopedia Britannica.
National Hispanic Cultural Center Learning for Educators (opens in new tab)
Try these standards-based activities and lesson plans in English and Spanish. Lessons and activities are rich and diverse, with virtual tours, images, educator guides, and more. The next-best thing to visiting the museum!
NPR Hispanic Heritage Month (opens in new tab)
Did you know there was a Spanish language version of the Hollywood classic Dracula? This wide-ranging series of radio segments/articles from National Public Radio looks at the culture and sometimes-arduous history of Latino and Hispanic peoples in America. Topics include music, literature, filmmaking, stories from the border, and much more. Listen to the audio or read the transcript.
National Museum of the American Latino
(opens in new tab)A fine multimedia examination of Latino history in the U.S., featuring stories of immigration, Latino influence on American culture, and the tricky business of Latino identity. Each section is accompanied by videos and enhanced through digital renderings of relevant exhibits, from Wars of Expansion to Shaping the Nation.
Estoy Aquí: Music of the Chicano Movement (opens in new tab)
This excellent 12-part lesson from the Smithsonian Institution explores the Chicano movement—its history, causes, leaders, and legacies—through the lens of music and culture. Included are teachers’ guides, slideshows, art, music, and bibliography.
Caribbean, Iberian, and Latin American Studies (opens in new tab)
Perhaps the largest collection of primary source documents about Hispanics across the globe is curated by the Library of Congress. On this site you’ll find a wealth of digitized documents, images, audio, video, and webcasts focused on Hispanic heritage in the U.S. and abroad. To narrow the field, select Latinx Studies: Library of Congress Resources (opens in new tab). Ideal for advanced students, who will gain valuable research experience as well as knowledge of Hispanic and Latino culture.
Read Aloud Hispanic Heritage Videos
Ideal for younger learners, but also for anyone who needs language practice, these charming YouTube videos feature popular children’s stories, fables, and books read aloud in English and Spanish. For tips on accessing YouTube at your school, check out 6 Ways To Access YouTube Videos Even If They're Blocked at School (opens in new tab).
- Pollito Tito - Chicken Little in Spanish with English subtitles (opens in new tab)
- Round Is A Tortilla - Kids Books Read Aloud (opens in new tab)
- Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa read-aloud (opens in new tab)
- What Can You Do With a Paleta? (opens in new tab)
- Mango, Abuela, and Me (opens in new tab)
- Scholastic's Hi! Fly Guy (Español) (opens in new tab)
- Dragones y tacos por Adam Rubin read-aloud (Español) (opens in new tab)
Hispanic and Latino Heritage and History in the United States (opens in new tab)
A comprehensive guide for teachers that looks at historical context, Indigenous Mesoamerica, the Mexican Revolution, immigration and identity in the U.S., and much more. Each topic includes nuanced lessons, framing questions and activities, writing prompts, ideas for research, and related resources.
Share My Lesson Hispanic Heritage Month Lessons (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)Dozens of lessons designed to bring Hispanic and Latino heritage into your classroom. Search by grade, subject, type of resource, or standard. Best of all, these free lessons are designed, tested, and rated by your fellow teachers.
Read Write Think Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plans
These standards-aligned Hispanic heritage lessons for grades 3-5 (opens in new tab), 6-8 (opens in new tab), and 8-12 (opens in new tab) provide step-by-step instructions as well as printouts, templates, and related resources/activities.
24 Famous Hispanic Americans Who Made History (opens in new tab)
No doubt you’ve heard of Jennifer Lopez and Sonia Sotomayor, but how about Jovita Idár and Guy Gabaldon? Read all about these remarkable Hispanic Americans, who enriched politics, literature, entertainment, law, athletics, activism, and journalism.
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