Hispanic Heritage Music Resources

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) by adding a Spanish theme to your music instruction. Use our lesson plans to introduce students to music and instruments from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, Venezuela, and many other Spanish speaking countries. Learn how you can integrate Hispanic music across your curriculum with our references. You will find musical notation for traditional songs and printables that demonstrate how your students can make their own maracas, güiros, and more!

Lesson Plans & Activities Hispanic Rhythmic Patterns and Drums Use a lesson that helps students understand drum rhythms, performing as a group, and improvising melodies. Introduction to the Panpipe Use a lesson that introduces the history of Peruvian and Bolivian panpipes and presents instructions for creating and playing a panpipe. Mexican-American Mariachi Music Introduce your students to the mariachi with this lesson. Traditional Circle Game from Puerto Rico Use a lesson that uses Spanish to introduce students to traditional Puerto Rican song and dance. Spanish and Latino Influence on Music and Dance Children will enjoy completing this crossword puzzle while reviewing famous types of dances and music. Making Instruments Make a Tunable Drum Learn to construct a tunable drum from a plastic soda bottle. Making a Guiro Use these instructions to make a guiro, a Central American percussion instrument, from cardboard. Making a Maraca Make a maraca from beans and a juice can. Making Panpipes Instructions for making a South American flute from PVC tubing. Constructing the Panpipe Use a printable that contains two diagrams for constructing a panpipe.

References Integrating Hispanic Music Throughout Curriculum Overview of Latin American music events and styles. Introduction to Mariachi Music Use this article as a reference for introducing your students to mariachi music. Musical Notation Rhythms and TUBS Notation for Hispanic Drumming Use a printable that contains drum rhythms and an example of TUBS notation for Hispanic music. A la Limon: A Traditional Puerto Rican Song This printable has the musical notation and wording for the traditional Puerto Rican song, A La Limon. Scales for a Panpipe Use a printable that contains scales for the panpipe. Related Resources Hispanic Heritage – Resources for Teacher The study of Hispanic heritage offers you the chance to explore many diverse and rich cultures with your class during Hispanic-Heritage month. These lessons and printables will enrich your classroom study. Music Resources for Teachers Bring some music into your classroom with lessons and printables! Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month in March, or enjoy music on a regular basis with your students. National Standards for Music Education Incorporate the nine National Standards for Music Education into your curriculum. Use these resources to teach students in grades K-12 about singing, instruments, music composition, and much more! Multicultural Music Resources Introduce your students to music from around the world with these multicultural lessons and printables. Use these resources to explore musical traditions, make native instruments, and sing folk songs.

Provided in partnership with MENC

2008 Summer Olympics

Celebrate this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with our resources, activities, and lessons.

Teaching about Natural Disasters

The world has suffered two natural disasters this May — Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and the earthquake in China. These tragedies may have your students wondering why such large catastrophes occur. We have resources to help you explain earthquakes and cyclones, and for dealing with the subjects of death and crisis with your class.

July Events

Find educational activities for every day in July. Take a look at our Summer Activities Slideshow for our favorite summer-themed activities, lessons, and printables.

Sign up for our Great Stuff for Teachers newsletter to keep up-to-date on all of our seasonal lessons and printables.

New Customizable Printables

Easily create personalized hall and office passes or teacher stationary with our customizable classroom passes and notes. Prepare for substitute teachers, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, and more with our customizable charts and forms.

Drama Resources

Explore our drama resources – from Shakespearean plays to The Miracle Worker to Readers Theater – to widen your curricular focus. Students will enjoy the change of pace that putting on a classroom play will bring!

ADD/ADHD Resources

From frequently asked questions to assessment accommodations, these articles and resources will help you to deal with the special nature of students with ADD/ADHD.