Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plan Recommended for Grade 6-12

Lesson Plan: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with MY HERO

Grade Level: 6-12

Subject: Social Studies, Language Arts, or History

Duration: 2 class periods (90 minutes total)

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Objectives:

1. Students will understand the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month.
2. Students will explore the contributions of notable Hispanic figures through MY HERO resources.
3. Students will create a multimedia presentation to share their findings.

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Materials:

• Computers or tablets with internet access
• MY HERO website (www.myhero.com)
• Projector and screen
• Paper and pens/pencils
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)

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Standards:

• Social Studies/History: Analyze contributions of individuals and groups to society.
• Language Arts: Develop and present information using multimedia tools.

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Day 1: Introduction and Research

1. Introduction (15 minutes)

   • Begin with a discussion on Hispanic Heritage Month: its history, significance, and why it’s celebrated.

2. Exploring MY HERO (30 minutes)

   • Guide students to the following webpage of resources in both English and Spanish on the MY HERO website: 

     https://myhero.com/hispanic-heritage-month-resources

   • Allow students to browse through profiles of various Hispanic figures featured on MY HERO. Some notable figures include Cesar Chavez, Frida Kahlo, and Sonia Sotomayor.
   • Assign each student or group of students a hero to research or let them decide who they want to learn more about after browsing the MY HERO webpage resource. They should take notes on the hero’s background, achievements, and impact.

3. Research and Note-Taking (30 minutes)

   • Students will use MY HERO’s resources to gather detailed information about their assigned hero. Encourage them to also use additional sources for a more comprehensive understanding.
   • Each student/group should prepare a brief summary of their findings to present the next day.

4. Wrap-Up (15 minutes)

   • Have a short reflection on what students have learned so far. Discuss how each hero's contributions have impacted society.

Day 2: Presentation and Reflection

1. Presentation Preparation (20 minutes)

   • Students will create a multimedia presentation (using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar) about their assigned hero. They should include key facts, images, and any relevant multimedia elements.

2. Student Presentations (40 minutes)

   • Each student or group presents their hero to the class. Encourage questions and discussion after each presentation.
   • Ensure that students highlight the significance of each hero’s contributions and connect these contributions to the broader themes of Hispanic Heritage Month.

3. Class Discussion and Reflection (20 minutes)

   • After all presentations, hold a class discussion about the common themes or messages across the different heroes.
   • Reflect on what was learned about Hispanic heritage and the impact of these heroes on society.

4. Extension Activity (Optional)

   • Students write a short essay, create a piece of art or short film that is inspired by the heroes they learned about or a personal hero they admire and use the MY HERO Create Program to submit their projects for publication on the website. 
     • • Using the Create Program Tutorial for Students link

Assessment:

• Presentation Quality: Evaluate students based on the accuracy of their research, creativity in presentation, and ability to communicate their hero’s impact.
• Participation: Assess engagement during the discussion and reflection activities.
• Reflection: Review written reflections or essays for understanding and personal connections to the heroes’ contributions.

Resources:

• MY HERO website: www.myhero.com
• Additional online resources for Hispanic figures and history.
• Tutorial on using the MY HERO Create Program to submit projects for publication: 
  • https://myhero.com/use-my-hero-create-program 

Note: Be sure to adapt the lesson plan to suit the needs of your students and the resources available in your classroom.