Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Gardner
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15, honoring the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino communities. Several Hispanic countries celebrate their independence days within this window, starting with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15, followed by Mexico on September 16 and Chile on September 18. What began as a weeklong celebration in 1968 grew into a full month in 1988, creating a special opportunity for others to join the Hispanic community in honoring their history and contributions.
At Gardner, celebrating differences is not something we set aside for one month. It is part of how we teach every day.
"For Hispanic Heritage Month, I wanted the students to learn that the Spanish-speaking world is much bigger and more diverse than just one country or culture. I'm trying to make the activities age-appropriate while giving each grade a chance to explore something different,” expressed Janexis Zapata, Gardner Spanish Teacher for Preschool through Grade 6.
That approach shaped how each grade is exploring the month:
1st and 2nd Grade are learning about the different countries around the world where Spanish is spoken. They are looking at flags and getting familiar with the idea that Spanish is spoken in many countries, and that each one has its own identity and culture.
3rd Grade is going a little deeper into the culture of different Spanish-speaking countries, learning what each one is known for, including traditions, music, food, celebrations and art, and the other things that make each culture unique.
4th through 6th Grade are focusing on important Hispanic people who have made an impact in their communities and around the world. Students are learning who these people are, what they did, why they matter and what makes their stories interesting or different. Each student then chooses a person they connect with or want to learn more about, and comes up with words that capture that person and their contributions.
The goal is for students to see Hispanic Heritage Month as more than a lesson in a few facts. At Gardner we wants students to recognize the diversity within the Spanish-speaking world, and the people, cultures and contributions that have shaped communities everywhere.
This is curiosity, courage, creativity and community in action. Learning to see and value differences, whether it is a country, a culture or a person's story, is exactly the kind of learning that stays with a child for life.
