Strand
Social Studies; Anthropology; World History
Objectives
To understand the wide variety of ethnic influences in U.S. Latino cultures. To understand the particular cultural origins of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico, and to identify how these origins influence the heritage of many Latinos living in the United States.
Cultural Perspective
Many Latinos living in the United States trace their heritage to Cuba, Puerto Rico, or Mexico. The rich history and culture of these Latinos, however, have roots in many parts of the world. The major ethnic influences come from the Indigenous people living in these regions, the Europeans who conquered and colonized the western hemisphere, and the Africans who were forced to immigrate under the system of slavery. Identifying and exploring the origins of social customs of Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans can provide us with a deeper understanding of these cultures and give us a greater appreciation for the great variety of the Latino American experience. (Keep in mind that Puerto Rico is not technically a country but a commonwealth associated with the United States; Puerto Rican residents are U.S. citizens.)
Pacing
Two class periods
Materials
Expository Writing
Students have the opportunity to write a Research Report (see Extension below).
Key Questions
- What are the historical and cultural meanings behind social customs?
- How have Indigenous, European, and African customs influenced the societies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico?
- How, in turn, have Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Mexican customs and values influenced U.S. Latino culture?
Latino American Experience Research
Students will work in groups to prepare a multimedia presentation exploring the origins of social customs from one of these Latino countries.
Document-based Questions
To start students thinking about the diverse heritage of Latino cultures, have them read the following excerpt from the Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture and examine the image below.
“Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a two-day celebration that coincides with the Catholic Church holy days All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). The Catholic Church considers All Saints' Day a holy day of obligation requiring mandatory attendance of Mass. It is a ritual time to remember and pray for the souls of deceased family members and friends, especially for the resurrection of souls in Purgatory and for those who are in limbo and have not yet entered into Heaven. Día de los Muertos dates back to prehistoric times in Mesoamerica when the Aztecs would designate an entire month to celebrate death.”
A woman dances with “La Muerte,” one of the characters symbolizing death at the celebration of El Día de los Muertos./Photo by Thomas B. Weaver
Key Questions students should answer are:
- Why are these people dancing together?
- Why do you suppose this is a celebration and not a time of mourning?
- How does this image represent a blending of cultural heritages?
Directions
Have students work in three separate groups to conduct research and create their multimedia presentations. Assign one group Cuba, another Puerto Rico, and the last Mexico. Tell students they will be incorporating some of the following topics into their presentations:
- Religion and Spirituality
- Ethnicity
- Language
- Geography
- Family and Kinship
- Work and Livelihood
- Festivals and Holidays
- Food and Drink
- Art and Music
- Stories and Oral History
Students should discuss their findings with their group members. They will then work to create their multimedia presentation. Their presentation should include written, visual, and oral components. Remind students that their presentations should include specific details about the cultural origins of their society and that each member of the team should take a turn sharing some aspect of the group’s research findings to the class.
Assessment
Use the Multimedia Presentation Rubric to assess students’ performance. Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria. Ask students: Which cultures are represented in their own heritage?
Extension
Have students use The Latino American Experience to research and write a Research Report on the origins of social customs of another nation in the Latino Origins section.
(May be copied for classroom use.)