¡Feliz mes de la hispanidad!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

We celebrate Hispanic/Latino heritage from September 15-October 15. This is the month when a lot of Spanish-speaking countries celebrate their independence.

There are many great sites about this great month! You can start here. And you can also find some great information on brainPOP (you know you love it!)

Why these dates?? Well... The following Latin American countries celebrate their independence today, September 15: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates their independence tomorrow and maybe you can catch a celebration of "El grito" somewhere (find out what that is all about here) & Chile (the country, not the spice that makes you grab water or ask got milk?) celebrates theirs September18. Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period (so does my birthday... hmmm wonder if that had anything to do with it??).

Here are some quick ideas so you can have fun during this month:

• Make a timeline about the countries mentioned above and their independence
• Learn a few Spanish songs... start here with Tengo una vaca lechera (it's a nursery rhyme)
• Research famous Latinos/Hispanics. I bet you know several!
• Learn some Spanish words and practice them with your friends. You can start with some animal words here!
• Make some maracas and play for all your friends (you know... those colorful egg shaped instruments that have a handle and ... well, below is a picture of one), Just get a toilet paper roll, cover one end with duct tape, put some beans or rice in it and cover the other end with duct tape and ¡olé! you have a maraca!

More ideas coming soon!

¡Adiós!