Black History Month Virtual Field Trips for Spanish Class

February is Black History Month, and with that comes the responsibility to highlight the achievements and culture of the black community. In Spanish class, that means shedding light on (the sometimes overlooked) Afro-Latino culture. While we should all arguably be teaching and sharing aspects of Afro-Latinidad all year, don’t let that stop you from taking the month of February as a quick reset to get these issues on your mind and in your lesson plans.

These Black History Month virtual field trips for Spanish class are a great way to honor Afro-Latino culture and share its significance with your students.

Before we get started let’s have a quick refresher on what Afro-Latino means.

What does Afro-Latino mean?

Afro-Latinos are people of African descent who are also Latino. The term developed because many people (to this day) like to box in other’s identities as either only black or only Latino.

The term also developed because of issues with colorism and racism against Afro-Latinos within Latino communities. This is evident in the way that light skin and straight hair are praised while dark skin and textured hair are not.

You don’t have to get into the specifics with your students, but it’s important to be aware of these complexities. As teachers and parents, it needs to be on our minds if we are truly going to honor and celebrate Black History Month.

Black History Month Virtual Field Trips for Spanish Class

That being said, these Black History Month virtual field trips are a vibrant mix of what it means to be proudly Afro-Latino. Kids will find the music, dancing, food, and places in the resources below both informative and entertaining.

And if you’re coming across this article in any month that’s not February: share it, read it, and use the resources. Remember, this is an all-year-round kind of thing.

#1 Black History Month in Latin American Countries

First up is this video (in English) listing the dates that Latin American countries celebrate their own versions of Black History Month throughout the year.

It’s a tad too informational for younger students, so it’s better received by older students, parents, and teachers looking to learn more about Afro-Latino celebrations.

#2 Puerto Rican Bomba

Moving on to something more musical is Puerto Rican Bomba.

Bomba is an improvisational dance and style of music created by African slaves brought to the island. Over the years, it became a sign of rebellion but has now transformed into an important right of expression and celebration of Afro-Latino roots.

Apart from its historical significance, what makes Bomba so interesting is that it’s a conversation between dancer and drummer. While both improvise, it’s the drummer that follows the dancer’s lead.

Have kids learn about Bomba in the video above. (It’s in Spanish with English subtitles.) They can also learn how to dance Bomba, here. The dance video is in English and teaches Spanish vocabulary.

#3 Ingrid Silva

Next, take a trip to Rio de Janeiro and New York with this short film based on Afro-Latina ballerina, Ingrid Silva. Told from Silva’s point of view, viewers quite literally walk a mile in her shoes.

Ingrid Silva, who is a fantastic role model kids can look up to, now dances with the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. She’s been outspoken about the need for more diversity in ballet.

Since Silva is Brazilian, the dialogue is in English and Portuguese, but it takes a backseat to the imagery and music. You don’t need to understand either language to feel moved by the nearly 5-minute film. This is great to use as a conversation starter.

#4 Gaspar Yanga

In another trip based on an inspiring Afro-Latino role model, kids can travel to Mexico and learn about Gaspar Yanga.

He was a West African prince who led a revolt against the Spanish. His bravery and leadership led to the independence of one of the first free African settlements in the Americas. The town is now called Yanga.

Use Yanga’s bravery as a shining example of an Afro-Latino hero for young children. Older elementary and above can watch the video (in English) to learn more about Yanga’s story.

#5 Quijada

Now make your way to Peru with this (free!) Teachers Pay Teachers mini-lesson from World Music with DARIA that explores the Quijada, a musical instrument made from the jawbone of a donkey.

It originated in Africa and was brought to the Americas during the colonial era. It’s played in many parts of Latin America but is most connected with Afro-Peruvian music.

Kids can all about it before making their own Quijada from recycled materials. The lesson can be used from PK-4th grade.

#6 La Borinqueña

Onwards to Puerto Rico and New York, where the world’s first Latina superhero, La Borinqueña, calls home. La Borinqueña is an Afro-Puertorican activist who receives her powers after her first trip to the island.

With how popular superheroes always are, kids will be immediately drawn to the comic.

Keep in mind it does deal with heavy topics like the Puerto Rican debt crisis and U.S. colonialism. Both are important issues that can be brought up with older elementary students in an age-appropriate way.

However, the real value here, is kids seeing a superhero that is proudly Afro-Latina. Students can create their own superheroes or comic strip as part of your lesson.

#7 Palenque

Similar to Yanga, San Basilio de Palenque in Colombia is thought to be one of the first towns in the Americas freed from slavery.

Students can take a Black History Month virtual field trip to the town and meet palenquera Everlinda Sagrado Herrera.

The video is narrated by Everlinda in Spanish with English subtitles.

#8 Batá Drums

Thanks to the Smithsonian Latino Center, students can travel to Cuba (via Miami) and learn more about Afro-Cuban drums called Batá.

They are a set of three drums that originated in Nigeria and are now used in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the US. With one end larger than the other (like an hourglass) the Batá drum is placed in the drummer’s lap while they play.

Learn all about the drums, their parts, and it’s significance for religious ceremonies here. The video is narrated by a Batá drummer and drum maker. It’s in Spanish with English subtitles.

It may be a lot of information to take in for younger elementary students, but they will still be captivated by the different drums and music played throughout the video.

#9 Garifuna

Our final trip takes us to Honduras in another free Teachers Pay Teachers resource by All Around This World. The Garifuna are the descendants of Afro-Caribbean and indigenous Arawak people. Many Garifuna moved from St. Vincent—an island in the Caribbean—to settlements in Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.

The resource is a mini-lesson that includes a PDF, video, and a song that teaches kids about the Garifuna people. The lesson is intended for grades K-3.

What Black History Month Virtual Field Trips will you use?

There is so much complexity within what it means to be Latino, that we need to be sure to include Afro-Latino culture in order to do it justice. These virtual field trips are a great step to get you started.

If you would like more resources to keep the learning happening all year long, join the Incorporating Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Classrooms Facebook group.