+
Lesson Plan
Little Kids Rock

The Latin Rhythms of “Despacito”

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
When you hear the first few beats of "Despacito," the unrivaled Latin pop hit of 2017, you can't keep your feet from moving! A music analysis lesson plan examines the intoxicating hit by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and introduces the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bombs Away!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Examine the different perspectives on the future of United States Navy bombing exercises taking place on Vieques, Puerto Rico with this lesson from The New York Times. Here, young learners read "Islanders to Vote on Vieques Bomb Drills,"...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
US House of Representatives

Hispanic-American Members of Congress in the Civil Rights Era, 1945–1977

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Debates around immigration in the news are not new, but they are a defining feature of the Hispanic American experience throughout the twentieth century. Looking through the lens of Hispanic Americans in Congress, class members explore...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
US House of Representatives

Hispanic Americans in Congress During the Age of U.S. Colonialism and Global Expansion, 1898–1945

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
To be Puerto Rican, in the words of one politician, is to be "foreign in a domestic sense." Young historians consider the American role in colonialism and its impacts on Hispanic Americans through the first part of the twentieth century...
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Puerto Rican Perspectives

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Puerto Ricans are wholly American, but their history with the United States has been one of tumult. Using clips from a PBS documentary, viewers consider the history of the island and Puerto Rico's contributions to the mainland United...
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Stories of Arrival

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
While every family's immigration story is unique, patterns emerge when looking at individual narratives. Using clips from the PBS video series, "Latino Americans," learners look at commonalities among immigrant experiences. A chart helps...
+
Website
PBS

Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates

For Students 4th - 12th Standards
From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos. 
+
Activity
Americans All

A Simulation: The Peopling of America

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What was it like to pass through Ellis Island? Learners move through the immigration process of the early 1900s in a simulation activity. A comprehensive activity includes role-playing profiles and other manipulative items such as...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

El Mundo Hispano

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Welcome to the Spanish-speaking world! Show your learners which countries declare Spanish as their primary language. Included are maps and flags for each Hispanophone country.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Book: Crossing the Seas

For Teachers 4th - 6th
As learners read each chapter of Eric Schwartz's Crossing the Seas, they analyze the actions of United States in Venezuela, Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and the intent of the Monroe Doctrine. They then compare American...
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

La Familia

For Teachers K - 5th Standards
Young scholars identify at least one country where the Spanish language is spoken, describe similarities and differences between Spanish, Mexican, and Puerto Rican families, and practice speaking the Spanish words for several family...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puerto Rico

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research Puerto Rico and famous Puerto Ricans on the Internet. They complete a website worksheet, create a brochure about Puerto Rico, and write about Puerto Rican cuisine.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovery of Puerto Rico

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are introduced to the topic of Puerto Rico and research to find facts about Puerto Rico. They work with a partner to gather information and complete a handout with 5 essential questions.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography: Puerto Rico

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Take a trip to Puerto Rico! Learners engage in a web quest, identify Puerto Rico on the map, and gather information related to physical features and cultural factors. Their efforts culminate when they design a brochure comparing the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puerto Rico: The 51st State?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners research the history of Puerto Rico, its culture, and geography. In this Puerto Rico lesson, students find Puerto Rico on a map and find specific regions or cities. Learners discuss Puerto Rico's statehood and listen to salsa...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puerto Rico: The 51st State?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore Puerto Rico.  In this Puerto Rico current events lesson plan, students conduct a Webquest to answer questions about Puerto Rico's culture.  Young scholars discuss whether Puerto Rico is a country or a state, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puerto Rico: The 51st State?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the political status of Puerto Rico. In this global studies lesson plan, students explore Puerto Rico and consider the feelings of Puerto Ricans regarding their unique political status.
+
Lesson Plan
US Mint

Absolutely and Relatively: The Puerto Rico Quarter Reverse

For Teachers 5th - 8th
How much does your class know about Puerto RIco? How much can they learn from the back of a 2009 quarter? Use the coin, part of a series of quarters that depict US territories, to teach learners about the geography, culture, and history...
+
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Statehood for Puerto Rico? You Decide!

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students discuss the legal status of territories, commonwealths, and other jurisdictions and examine the process of moving to statehood. Groups conduct research about the question of statehood for Puerto Rico and share their research in...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caribbean Cooking

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students complete a unit that explores the cultures of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba through cooking. They follow step-by-step directions of a variety of recipes, create a Caribbean scrapbook or cookbook,...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Caribbean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the history and culture of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. They conduct research on Christopher Columbus, create a quiz, watch a video about Cuba, and write an essay comparing and contrasting Puerto Rico...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Ethnic Labels and Puerto Rican Identity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students brainstorm a list of stereotypes associated with the Hispanic or Latin culture. In groups, they use the internet to research issues of importance to the Puerto Rican community. They focus on the cultures that speak Spanish and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Contemporary Mexican and Puerto Rican Immigration

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students in an ESL classroom compare and contrast Puetro Rican and Mexican cultures. In groups, they research the reasons why people leave one country for another and how to obtain a visa. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Analysis of "The Oxcart"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners read the play "The Oxcart" in its English form. After examining the author's life and works, they are given a part as one of the characters to act out the play. They dress in full costumes and acquire the correct props in...