Latin America in the Classroom:
Thematic Units for Use in Spanish/Social Studies Classes
Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
July 18-20, 2002

Presented by:
The National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center, Iowa State University
The Stone Center for Latin American Studies, Tulane University, New Orleans
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This summer institute was designed to give participants both a deep understanding of selected Latin American historical/cultural themes, as well as strategies for incorporating this information into thematic units for their classrooms. The institute included a history/culture course, demonstrations of model lessons using children's literature, exploration of materials from Title VI National Resource Centers on Latin America, and strategies for writing standards-based thematic units. Most content sessions were conducted in Spanish. Participants worked in small groups to create thematic units applicable to specific K-12 levels. Held at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, this institute collaborated with the National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center at Iowa State University and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University.

Presenters/Organizers
Ruth Borgman, Columbia University, New York City
Luz Cannon, Winnetka, IL Public Schools
Mari Haas, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City
Julie Kline, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Valerie McGinley, Marshall, Stone Center for Latin American Studies, Tulane University
Melissa Mendez, West Des Moines Public Schools, IA
Michele Montás, Manhattan Country School, New York City
Jossie O’Neill, New Visions for Public Schools, New York City
Shelly Powers, West Des Moines Public Schools, IA
Marcia Rosenbusch, National K-12 Foreign Language Resource Center, Iowa State University
Elizabeth Van Sant, Stone Center for Latin American Studies, Tulane University, New Orleans

The Institute
Thematic topics covered in the institute included pre-Columbian Mexico, the African Diaspora in the Caribbean, and the modern Maya in the Yucatan peninsula. Children’s books integrated into the sessions included: El encuentro (The Enounter) by Jane Yolen, La peineta colorada (The Red Comb) by Fernando Pico and María Antonia Ordoñez and Mayeros: A Yucatec Maya Family by George Ancona. The last book was integrated into a special session using a new Web resource being developed by the Stone Center at Tulane and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Special activities during the institute included: showings of films and documentaries, a visit with a storyteller, and an optional post-institute curriculum writing session (for an extra fee).

The Institute will took place at the Edith S. Hefter Conference Center located on beautiful Lake Michigan a short walking distance from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s main campus. Housing was provided for in the school’s dormitories for those who traveled from a distance. The total cost of the institute was $100 per person, which included housing, institute registration, breakfasts during the institute, materials – including copies of both La peineta colorada and El encuentro, and special activities. Participants were responsible for costs associated with transportation to Milwaukee, lunch and dinner during the institute, and local transportation while in Milwaukee. A $50 Registration Fee was required upon acceptance into the program.

Activity Photos