Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year from September 15th to October 15th, is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to highlight the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino figures throughout history. For students in third through sixth grade, this is an ideal moment to explore the stories of influential people who have left a lasting mark on the worlds of sports, art and culture. By bringing these stories into the classroom, we not only celebrate diversity but also inspire students to dream big.
At Creative Primary Literacy, we’ve designed engaging resources to help teachers introduce these important figures in meaningful ways. Here are some of the inspirational individuals your students can learn about:
Roberto Clemente – A Sportsman with a Heart of Gold
Roberto Clemente wasn’t just a baseball legend; he was also a humanitarian. Known for his outstanding career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente’s dedication to helping others off the field made him a role model for young people everywhere. His story encourages students to think about leadership, service, and kindness.
Frida Kahlo – An Artist Who Redefined Beauty
Frida Kahlo’s colorful, surreal self-portraits tell stories of identity, culture, and resilience. Despite facing many personal challenges, she turned her struggles into powerful works of art that continue to inspire people today. Kahlo’s life encourages students to embrace creativity and self-expression.
Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pelé – Soccer Legends Who United the World
Few things bring people together like soccer, and Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pelé each represent greatness on the global stage. These athletes showed incredible dedication, teamwork, and determination—qualities students can apply in sports, school, and life. Their stories are perfect for teaching lessons about perseverance and reaching for goals.
Pablo Picasso – A Revolutionary in Art
Pablo Picasso helped change the way people think about art. As the founder of Cubism, Picasso challenged traditional ways of seeing the world, encouraging new perspectives and creativity. His work shows students the importance of thinking differently and innovating.
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Storytelling Through Music and Theater
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical Hamilton reshaped Broadway and inspired a new generation of theater lovers. By blending history with hip-hop, Miranda created art that connects with young audiences in powerful ways. His story reminds students that their voices matter and creativity can bring history to life.
Why Teach These Figures?
Bringing the lives of these figures into your classroom during Hispanic Heritage Month helps students:
- See role models who demonstrate perseverance, resilience, and creativity.
- Appreciate cultural diversity and the wide-ranging contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
- Connect learning across subjects, from history and art to sports and literature.
Our resources make it easy for teachers to share these stories in age-appropriate ways, with close reading passages, comprehension activities, writing tasks, and engaging projects. Students can research, reflect, and even create their own work inspired by these incredible figures.
By teaching about Roberto Clemente, Frida Kahlo, Lionel Messi, Pelé, Diego Maradona, Pablo Picasso, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, you’ll be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in a way that is not only meaningful but also deeply inspiring for your students.
For 1000s more resources, check out Creative Primary Literacy!