September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage month, and it’s a perfect time to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of all of the languages, cultures, and nationalities within the Hispanic and Latinx communities.
No matter what grade level or subject you teach, whether you’re in a classroom, library, or afterschool program, there are opportunities to showcase Hispanic and Latinx culture and histories through reading, language learning, cooking, art, music, and so much more.
Here are some of our favorite PBS and PBS KIDS Resources that are likely relevant for you and your students!
Watch on PBS and PBS KIDS
- Use this list from PBS to discover documentaries, biography features, short films, general audience education clips, and more for all ages.
- Use this PBS KIDS playlist to share specific episodes and clips with young learners.
- Revisit the PBS Books Hispanic Heritage Month collection and hear from authors of books for all ages.
- if you teach The House on Mango Street, PBS Books has a brand new conversation with the author Sandra Cisneros.
Watch on the Michigan Learning Channel
- The Michigan Learning Channel has a special episode of Extra Credit featuring local examples of how people celebrate Latin American Heritage in Michigan. You can also access the lesson plan for some discussion and media literacy learning.
- MLC is also proud to distribute Wild Hope, a new inspiring series about ecological and environmental conservation successes around the world. One of the most popular episodes is about the work Mexican scientists have done to help some of the coolest creatures alive: the axolotl.
Learn with PBS LearningMedia
- Use this overview lesson to teach your students about the history and significance of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month.
- Share lessons about the Migrant Workers Movement and other stories from American Masters’ A Song for Cesar.
- Introduce your students to Elena Zelayeta, the chef who brought Mexican food to the American masses, with the Rebel Girls podcast from KQED.
- Help your middle and high school students understand the differences between “Hispanic,” “Latino,” and “Latinx” with this lesson from Origin of Everything.
- Teach about Mexican revolutionary art with this resource from Latino Public Broadcasting.
- Get your sports fans excited by sharing the story of Roberto Clemente from the American Masters documentary.
- Share some lesser known history about Latinx contributions to the National Parks, including video excerpts from Ken Burns’ National Parks: America’s Best Idea.
There’s so much more available through PBS LearningMedia – history lessons about the role of Latino Americans in U.S. history, arts and culture lessons to inspire creativity, and science and environment lessons that celebrate innovation and genius across the Hispanic and Latinx world.
Let us know if you find success with any of these materials! We love hearing from Michigan teachers. Send us an email at connect@michiganlearning.org.
