4 ways to bring Hispanic Heritage Month into the Arizona history classroom

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) provides history teachers with an invaluable opportunity to highlight the stories, contributions and cultures of Hispanic and Latino communities. In Arizona, where more than 45% of public school students identify as Hispanic or Latino, this work carries even greater significance. When students see their histories reflected in the classroom, it validates their identity and reinforces that they belong to the American story. At the same time, it ensures all students develop an appreciation for the diverse voices that shape both our state and nation.

Below are four practical and engaging ways to incorporate Hispanic Heritage Month into your history classroom.

1. Center Hispanic voices in U.S. and Arizona history

Arizona’s story cannot be told without Hispanic and Latino experiences. From Spanish colonization to Mexican independence to the realities of living along the U.S.–Mexico border, these histories are woven into the state’s identity. Highlighting them alongside national narratives broadens students’ understanding of U.S. history.

Classroom ideas:

• Explore the life of César Chávez, born in Yuma, Arizona, and connect his activism to larger civil rights movements.
  
• Study the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its lasting impact on land, culture and identity in the Southwest.
  
• Research local community histories to show how Hispanic families shaped Arizona’s growth in agriculture, business, and politics.

2. Bring history to life with primary sources and cultural artifacts

Primary sources help students hear voices that have often been left out of traditional narratives. By engaging with authentic materials, students analyze history from new perspectives and connect with it in deeper ways.

Classroom ideas:

• Listen to or read oral histories from Arizona’s Hispanic communities.
  
• Analyze murals in Phoenix or Tucson that reflect cultural pride and political movements.
  
• Examine historic Spanish-language newspapers to understand issues important to Hispanic communities in different eras.

3. Make interdisciplinary connections

Hispanic Heritage Month doesn’t have to stay in the history classroom; it’s an opportunity to collaborate across subjects. Culture and history are always intertwined, and exploring them through multiple lenses enriches learning.

Classroom ideas:

• English: Pair historical events with works from authors such as Sandra Cisneros or Gary Soto.
  
• Art: Study the work of Diego Rivera, or connect with local Arizona artists who highlight cultural identity.
  
• Music: Explore the influence of mariachi, norteño or reggaetón on Arizona’s cultural traditions.

4. Empower students to share their own stories

Perhaps the most powerful way to honor Hispanic Heritage Month is by giving students space to share their own voices. Arizona classrooms are filled with stories of heritage, migration, resilience and community that deserve to be heard.

Classroom ideas:

• Have students interview family members about their cultural traditions or migration stories.
  
• Launch a “Voices of Arizona” project where students showcase the diverse influences shaping the state.
  
• Encourage reflection activities where students connect their own experiences to larger historical themes.

When students are invited to tell their stories, they not only celebrate Hispanic voices, but also affirm the importance of every student’s voice in building an inclusive classroom.

Teaching Hispanic Heritage Month in Arizona is not just about celebration; it’s about recognition, representation and inclusivity. By centering Hispanic voices, bringing in authentic sources, making cross-curricular connections and empowering students to share their own stories, teachers create classrooms where every learner feels seen, valued and connected to history.

In what ways are you bringing Hispanic Heritage Month into the classroom this year? Share your ideas with us at Arizona PBS Kids on Facebook.

About the author

RikkiLynn Archibeque is in her 11th year of teaching in Arizona and has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and a master’s degree in learning sciences from Arizona State University.

She currently teaches high school history and government and is a cross country and track and field coach. She is also the wife of a high school administrator, Jake, and the mom of a gifted third grader, Cruz.