Do you use writing prompts in your homeschool? If so, be sure to bookmark this post and its list of Hispanic Heritage Month writing prompts for ages eight and up!
I love writing. And I also love learning (and teaching!) about Hispanic heritage and culture. Together, these two topics lend themselves perfectly to writing prompts that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Each year, from September 15th through October 15th, our country recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and celebrates Hispanic heritage and culture.
The observance started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson. But it was expanded into a month-long celebration by President Ronald Reagan 20 years later.
Benefits of Writing Prompts for Homeschoolers
One way to celebrate this annual observance is through our home lessons. Learning about Hispanic Americans and their accomplishments is fantastic. But writing about what you’ve learned is even better!
Sometimes, though, just knowing where to start has been the hardest part for my kids. That’s why I love writing prompts! Not only do they give our children a starting point, but they also benefit them in other ways. Using writing prompts in your homeschool lessons…
- Improves writing skills by giving them a specific topic to write about. This can help them to develop their ideas, organize their thoughts, and express themselves clearly. They are especially effective when paired with graphic organizers to support the outlining process.
- Increases creativity by encouraging them to think outside the box and come up with new and original ideas.
- Helps our kids to learn new information by forcing them to do research on the topic they are writing about. This can help them to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
- Promotes self-expression by giving them a safe and supportive environment to share their thoughts and feelings.
- Builds confidence by giving them a sense of accomplishment when they complete a writing assignment about a topic they know little about. This can help them to feel more comfortable with their own abilities and to take on more challenging tasks in the future.
Using Writing Prompts for Nonfiction Writing
Oftentimes writing prompts are commonly used for creative writing purposes. But they are also a great tool to use with nonfiction writing.
I think that the thing to keep in mind when using writing prompts for historical or other research writing is that they work best in tandem with primary and secondary sources, videos, and other resources that our kids must read and then interpret to write their assignments.
Where Writing Prompts Fit in the Writing Process
Writing prompts are the first step in the formal writing process. They help students get started by providing the topic. Students then continue through the writing process by:
- writing what they know
- doing research
- taking notes
- outlining
- writing a draft
- revising
- and finally, editing and proofreading.
Hispanic Heritage Month Writing Prompts
I’ve put together a short list of writing prompts for both nonfiction and creative writing projects, as well as additional resources that pair well with Hispanic Heritage Month. If you (or your children) need ideas for topics, consider one of these!
Brief History
Write a brief history of the month-long observance. Research how it started and why it begins in the middle of the month of September. Use these free writing pages!
Essay
Write an essay about the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month. What does it mean to you to be Hispanic? What are some of the challenges and opportunities that Hispanic Americans face?
Use these graphic organizers to help you arrange your facts and present them in a thoughtful manner.
Biography
Write a short biography of a Hispanic person who has made a significant contribution to American society. This could be a political figure, an athlete, an artist, or anyone else who has made a difference.
Need suggestions? Here’s my post Latinos in History Your Children Should Know with a massive list of names.
Poem
Write a poem about a Hispanic poet! As an extra challenge, write the poem in the same style that the poet would write it. Younger children can read (or listen to) one of these 6 picture books that feature Latino poets and then summarize the story.
Play
Write a play about a historical event that impacted U.S. or world history and involved a Hispanic person or issue. This could be a play about the Delano Grape Strike, the Battle of Puebla, or the Bracero Program.
Song
Write a song about a famous Hispanic person, a Latin American country or city, or anything else that is important to Hispanic culture. Find inspiration by watching the performances of some famous Latin musicians, such as Tito Puente, Celiz Cruz, Selena, or Gloria Estefan, just to name a few.
Screenplay
If you are Hispanic, write a screenplay about a Hispanic family or community. Share your experience with others and allow them a glimpse of what makes your family or community unique!
Comic Book
Write a comic book about a Hispanic superhero. What is his/her background? What is their superpower, and how did they get it? Do they have an alter ego?
Graphic Novel
Write a graphic novel about a Hispanic historical event or figure. This could be a graphic novel about Simón Bolívar, the Liberator, the story of Roberto Clemente, or a celebration of Ellen Ochoa and her accomplishments.
Short Story
Write a short story and include characters of Hispanic or Latino heritage. Try to be authentic and avoid stereotypes.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many other possible writing prompts for Hispanic Heritage Month. The most important thing is to be creative and to write about something that is meaningful to you.
Use Writing Prompts as a Tool
Overall, writing prompts can be a valuable tool in the writing process for homeschool families. I find that they help me as a parent to inspire and guide my children on their journey to becoming skilled writers. When paired with graphic organizers or writing pages, an entire lesson is essentially complete. This makes my job as their teacher easier, and I believe it will be for you, too!
More Writing Prompts
You may also enjoy these other themed writing prompts here on iHN for use in your homeschool!
