Classroom Happenings: Hispanic Heritage Month

Spartans of all ages engage in a challenging curriculum that encourages boundless creativity. When Middle School World Languages Teacher Diana Niemas was planning lessons to coincide with National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), she knew she wanted to take a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching. 

“Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America,” said Ms. Niemas. “I wanted my seventh- and eighth-grade Introduction to Spanish students to experience an in-depth exploration and appreciation of some famous Latinos.” This year's theme for Hispanic Heritage Month — “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together” — set the tone for Ms. Niemas’ lessons. 

 

Students each chose a research subject: Ellen Ochoa (astronaut), Roberto Clemente (baseball player), Gabriel Garcia Marquez (author), Diego Rivera (artist), Rigoberta Menchu (activist for the Mayan people of Guatemala), or Oscar de la Renta (fashion designer). Then, assisted by Middle/Upper School Librarian Crystal Hamlin, they spent three days researching, taking notes, and planning the next step: constructing dioramas. 

Using repurposed boxes, the students created cardboard displays of their research subjects. The boxes, now on display in the Middle School student workroom, are colorful tributes that include photos, achievements, quotes, and little-known facts about their research subjects.  

Stefan Jones ’29 researched Ellen Ochoa and was surprised to learn that she was NASA’s first Hispanic astronaut. Ms. Niemas’ multi-faceted lesson helped him improve his research skills, and “I liked the art portion because we could be creative. I made [Ellen Ochoa] ‘float’ as if she was drifting in space and added her quote, ‘What I really hope for young people is that they find a career they’re passionate about, something that’s challenging and worthwhile.’” 

To cap off their study of Hispanic Heritage Month, Ms. Niemas’ students headed back to the library, but this time to cook up something delicious: arepas! Working as a team, the students combined masa harina (similar to finely ground cornmeal), oil, water, cheese, and salt in a large bowl. The adventurous cooks took turns kneading the ingredients and then scooped out golf-ball-sized pieces, pressing the doughy blobs into chunky disks and placing them on parchment paper. Ms. Hamlin heated oil in a frying pan and added the arepas to the sizzling oil, and soon the library was filled with a delightful, bready aroma. 

“This project provided my students with the opportunity to learn about people from different cultural backgrounds,” said Ms. Niemas. “They shared their insights in class, and the cooking activity promoted experiential learning.”

View the Steward Snaps from the Hispanic Heritage Month cooking lesson.