As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the US from September 15 to October 15 each year, Microsoft is committed to honoring and amplifying the voices and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx community. Through innovative tools like Minecraft Education and the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot, you have a unique opportunity to engage students with interactive lessons that highlight the rich heritage and impactful leadership of Hispanic figures.
By integrating these resources into your classroom, you can encourage meaningful exploration and representation of the diverse cultural landscape that exists within the Hispanic community.
Foster inclusivity and inspire learning with Minecraft Education
Millions of educators and students use Minecraft for game-based learning. Integrate the LatinExplorers worlds from Minecraft Education into your classroom instruction to give students the opportunity to see themselves and their culture represented in engaging, interactive ways.
Through these immersive experiences developed with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, students can delve deeper into topics that impact the Hispanic community. They will meet characters inspired by Latinx leaders who have lead change in climate science, community services, and the creative arts, inspiring a new generation to lead with purpose.
- LatinExplorers offers a unique exploration of Hispanic heritage, showcasing how Latinx community members are leading the way, from supporting those in need to standing up for others.
- LatinExplorers 2 is a continuation of Minecraft Education and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s commitment to inspire the next generation of leaders. It presents a new way to build leadership and social-emotional skills, teaching students how leaders in the Hispanic community can motivate them to take meaningful action in their own communities.
The game-based LatinExplorers worlds are available to all Minecraft Education users in 29 languages, providing an inclusive experience. You can use lesson materials and family resources to help students learn and explore through both guided practice and independent adventures.
Interested in incorporating Minecraft Education into your Hispanic Heritage Month lessons, but not sure how? Take the Minecraft Education: Teacher Academy learning path designed to boost your confidence using Minecraft as a powerful tool for teaching and learning.
Leverage Copilot to plan meaningful instruction
Copilot offers powerful tools to help educators create dynamic and culturally rich lesson plans for Hispanic Heritage Month. By leveraging Copilot, you can easily access and create a variety of educational resources, including articles, multimedia content, and interactive activities. Copilot can suggest lesson structures, themes, and activities that align with educational standards, ensuring that learning experiences are both engaging and educational.
Tailor these prompts in Copilot to your classroom and learning objectives to help you get started:
Develop a lesson plan for fifth graders to celebrate the achievements of Hispanic figures in STEM. The lesson plan should include a project that allows students to explore one or more figures extensively and be aligned to fifth grade NGSS standards. Include suggestions for notable and lesser-known Hispanic figures, research activities, and relevant historical content that will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation.
Create an inquiry-based unit plan for high school students that delves into contemporary issues facing the Hispanic community in the United States. Include prompts to spark critical thinking discussions, unbiased primary and secondary sources, and a thorough rubric for students to use to guide their work.
Design an engaging lesson for third grade students around global Hispanic cultural traditions, specifying countries of origin and cultural significance. It should avoid stereotypes and encourage in-depth exploration in a respectful and meaningful way. Include age-appropriate reading materials, multimedia resources, and interactive activities that align to third grade TEKS ELA standards.
Generate an eighth-grade math unit plan that explores the contributions of Hispanic architects and engineers aligned to eighth grade Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics. Incorporate sample geometry and algebra problems inspired by their work, as well as activities that involve analyzing architectural designs or engineering solutions from Hispanic cultures without promoting stereotypes. These activities should be engaging and hands-on and provide real-world application.
By using these prompts or creating your own, you can harness the potential of Copilot to create meaningful, inclusive lessons that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in a way that resonates with your students.
Amplify voices of the Hispanic community in your classroom
Copilot can also be a valuable tool to provide ideas and resources that help amplify diverse voices in your classroom. With your input, it can recommend guest speakers, virtual field trips to Hispanic cultural sites, and projects that connect students with Hispanic community leaders. You can also use Copilot to suggest literature, music, and art from Hispanic creators, enriching your classroom with authentic and diverse perspectives.
Customize these prompts in Copilot to explore ways to diversify your classroom experience:
Curate a list of age-appropriate literature and picture books by Hispanic authors that would engage second grade students. The books should introduce students to a variety of Hispanic cultures and perspectives without perpetuating stereotypes. Include the theme of each book and a short summary.
Create a month-long exploratory unit for a middle school art class that meets twice a week for 45 minutes. The theme of the unit is Hispanic artists and their works. The unit should include some research as well as a project that pays homage to a Hispanic artist of the students’ choosing. Provide a list of research sources about various Hispanic artists with ways to digitally view artwork and any relevant historical information.
Develop a list of songs, rhymes, or stories from Hispanic cultures and languages that would engage kindergarten students. Avoid content with stereotypes and bias that marginalize the Hispanic community. Include any relevant background information and suggested actions or movements to accompany them.
Generate a plan for a high school class where students research and present on the contributions of local Hispanic community leaders. Students should include details on how these leaders have impacted our community and how their stories can be integrated into current social issues or historical contexts. Provide ideas for how students can connect with these leaders or their work through virtual interviews or online resources.
Check out the “How to create a great Microsoft Copilot prompt” video to learn how to craft your own prompts. Then, use your prompts to support learning during Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 and throughout the school year.
Empower your students this Hispanic Heritage Month with educational experiences from Microsoft Education. Celebrate the diverse cultures and perspectives of the Hispanic community with LatinExplorers from Minecraft Education and use Copilot to help craft engaging lessons. By incorporating these tools, you’ll not only enhance your students’ learning journey but also contribute to a more inclusive and culturally vibrant classroom environment.
