This book is such a valuable resource!
A Kid’s Guide to Latino History (aff) by Valerie Petrillo could almost be used as a lesson manual discussing the History of Latinos in the Americas, as well as for geography and cultural awareness. The book is fun and educational, but this one is better suited for older children ages 7 and up. However, many of the activities may be modified for younger children.
The work itself is broken down into 10 categories, beginning with Columbus’ discovery of the New World and working its way through the contributions and history of the various Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Each chapter offers not only the history of a country or people, but also gives directions for creating a craft or recipe from that country. For example, in chapter four, Petrillo highlights Mexican Americans and offers instructions for playing various games such as Lotería, as well as how to make capirotada, cascarones, pan de muerto, and even farolitos. And this is just a sampling! Some of the other chapters focus on Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, and Central and South Americans.
This awesome book is more of a learning manual full of creative projects to capture your child’s interest and pride in their own heritage. One of the things seriously lacking in most (if not all) homeschooling curricula, is a good text describing our history and the important role that Latinos have played in the formation of the United States.
The back of the book is also full of resources for parents and teachers. Included is a bibliography for children AND adults, a list of Latino museums, a section on Latino movies and videos, websites for kids, and finally, an awesome teacher’s guide, which breaks down the activities by grade level, ways to modify the activities, and suggests extended learning opportunities.
This book is an excellent supplement to ANY child’s education and includes a lot of information that your child more than likely would not learn in any school history class. It is a great addition to any bilingual family’s library, and certainly one that will be used often. If you would like to buy your own copy of A Kid’s Guide to Latino History, please click here:
Print-and-Go Activities for Exploring Latino History
If you are looking for easy downloads that focus on historical figures or different Latin American countries and cultures, perhaps one of these would be a good choice for you.
Designed for older children, this 79-page unit allows students to choose from a list of 100 Hispanics in world history to research and share. The list is available in two formats:
- The historical figures are arranged by century starting with the 1400s to the present
- The historical figures are arranged by field of influence, including musicians, artists, activists, scientists, athletes, writers, journalists, actors, leaders & politicians, and other notable figures.
Pages for note-taking, research, and one-page presentations are included, as are additional pages for comparing/contrasting historical figures, word association, and listing new vocabulary.
In addition, date cards and information labels are included for creating a timeline display on a wall.
This bundle shows 4, but I have activity packs available for six countries: Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain, Peru, and Venezuela. More countries are on the way, so just check back. Each one introduces children to the country with a printable map for them to color in and fact page with facts numbered to match the images on the map.
These fact files may be used as individual bookmarks or a fandex. It features 36 historical figures. Directions for fandex assembly and use, as well as individual worksheets, cut-outs and answer key included.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by playing "Who Am I?" with this set of character crowns featuring 30 influential Hispanics in History.
Each crown comes with a fact sheet and extension strips for making the crown. Directions for assembly and instructions on different ways to play the game, as well as different ways to use the crowns are included. Available in English AND Spanish.
One-page reading passages about the following 10 famous Latinas:
- Ellen Ochoa
- Isabel Allende
- Dara Torres
- Frida Kahlo
- Linda Ronstadt
- Dolores Huerta
- Sonia Sotomayor
- Carolina Herrera
- Rita Moreno
- Sor Juana de la Cruz
I've also included reading comprehension worksheets that focus on facts and vocabulary from the passages, a matching activity, dictionary reference, and complete the sentence. Answer key included. ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
A set of one-page reading passages about the following seven famous Afro-Latinos:
- Celia Cruz
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Soledad O'Brien
- Roberto Clemente
- Martina Arroyo
- Pelé
- Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez
Reading comprehension questions for each reading passage are included. I've also added reading comprehension worksheets that focus on vocabulary from the passages, a matching activity, true or false, describing words, and a Venn diagram for comparing characters. Answer key included. The reading passages are available in full color or black and white.
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
- A Mini-Lesson on Bill Meléndez
- Dolores Huerta Lesson Plans, Activities, Coloring Sheets and More
- Frida Kahlo Lesson Plans, Activities, Coloring Sheets and More
- Hispanic Poets: One-Page Reading Passages
- Las Adelitas for Kids & Young Adults
- Arturo Alfonso Schomburg Reading Passage
- 3 Hispanic Women Who Rocked World History
Con mucho cariño...