Heritage Journey Unit Plan Curriculum Map
Hispanic Heritage Journey
Grade 8 • Exploratory Culture Unit
NYS WORLD LANGUAGES
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
SEL INTEGRATION
Essential Understandings
• Our names and ancestral histories carry core parts of our identity; pronouncing them correctly is a baseline of mutual respect (Respeto).
• Family legacies, cultural traditions, and community elders are vital pillars for transmitting wisdom and strength across generations.
• Traditional foods and culinary heritages are expressions of love and community resilience; sharing them requires appreciation rather than appropriation.
Language & Level
Novice-Low to Novice-Mid
Conducted primarily in English with high-frequency Spanish vocabulary integrated seamlessly (e.g., respeto, comunidad, abuelos, orgullo, sabor ).
Alignment Frameworks
NYS WL Standards
Standard 1 (Communication): Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational modes.Standard 2 (Cultures): Cultivating cultural perspectives through comparison.
Responsive Classroom
Structured Morning Meetings (Greeting, Share, Group Activity, Message) start each lesson. Utilizes Interactive Modeling and positive teacher phrasing.
CASEL Core Competencies
Self-Awareness: Cultivating identity.Social Awareness: Diverse backgrounds and empathy.Relationship Skills: Cultural respect.
Three-Day Unit Progression
Day 01
Our Names, Our Stories • El Orgullo de mi Nombre
Students explore naming traditions (e.g., dual-surname structures) and practice active respect via correct pronunciation.
Day 02
Family and Legacy • La Familia y el Legado
Exploring the oral history role of elders (abuelos/as) in Hispanic traditions, modeling active listening and interviews.
Day 03
Sabor y Comunidad • Food as Heritage
Examining how culinary traditions act as community connectors. Learning to distinguish appreciation from appropriation.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • GRADE 8 EXPLORATORY PAGE 1 OF 4
Day 1 Lesson Plan
Our Names, Our Stories
"El Orgullo de mi Nombre" (The Pride of my Name)
SEL Focus
Self-Awareness & Identity
Learning Objectives
Analyze the cultural importance of naming systems in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Identify and practice accurate pronunciation of classmates' names as a core sign of respect (respeto).
NYS World Language Alignment
1a: Interpretive Communication (Read naming story texts).2a: Cultural Practices & Perspectives (Deconstruct double-surname structures).
Instructional Sequence
15 Minutes Morning Mtg
Do Now & Responsive Gathering
Do Now: Write down your name's origin, story, or what you prefer to go by.Greeting: El Saludo Caluroso (Students pass a warm verbal "Buenos días, [Name]" ensuring intentional pronunciation and eye contact).Morning Message: Display message explicitly highlighting standard vowel sounds in Spanish and naming respect.
10 Minutes I Do
Double Surnames & Naming Respect
Teacher models standard naming traditions in Hispanic/Latino cultures (e.g., Mother's and Father's lineages represented: primer apellido + segundo apellido ). Teacher tells the story of an exemplar name (e.g., Gabriel García Márquez) to demonstrate ancestral pride.
15 Minutes We Do
Pronunciation Workshop & Interactive Modeling
Using the slides, class walks through the 5 pure Spanish vowels (A, E, I, O, U). Teacher uses Interactive Modeling to demonstrate how to gently ask, "How do I pronounce your name?" and receive spelling instructions, modeling deep attention and physical cues of active respect.
15 Minutes You Do
Naming Stories Activity
Students work individually on Page 1 of the Names & Identity Student Worksheet , diagramming a double-surname example and drafting their personal naming narrative. They share these stories in structured, supportive pairs.
5 Minutes Reflect
SEL Wrap-up
Exit prompt: "How does showing respect for a classmate's name strengthen our community class agreement?" Write a one-word descriptor on a sticky note.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • GRADE 8 EXPLORATORY PAGE 2 OF 4
Day 2 Lesson Plan
Family and Legacy
"La Familia y el Legado" (Family and Legacy)
SEL Focus
Social Awareness & Relationships
Learning Objectives
Identify the role community elders play in storytelling and transmitting legacy within Hispanic cultures.
Practice active listening strategies during structured cultural interview simulations.
NYS World Language Alignment
1b: Interpersonal Communication (Interview / listen to partner's legacy story).2b: Cultural Products & Perspectives (Deconstruct oral traditions/elders).
Instructional Sequence
15 Minutes Morning Mtg
Do Now & Greeting
Do Now: Define the word "elder" in your own terms. Who is a wise elder in your life or community?Greeting: El Saludo de Codo (Friendly elbow-bump greeting while sharing a high-frequency Spanish positive affirmation: "¡Hola amigo/a! Te respeto.").Morning Message: Highlight the term abuelo/a and structural respect for family lineage.
10 Minutes I Do
Elders as Living Libraries
Teacher leads a brief direct instruction segment illustrating the profound respect for elders (los abuelos ) and oral history tradition in Hispanic cultures. Teacher shares a short story detailing a cultural recipe, event, or moral lesson passed down through generations.
15 Minutes We Do
Interactive Modeling of Active Listening
Teacher models active listening skills (maintaining body alignment, nodding, asking follow-up questions) through a simulated mini-interview with a selected student helper. The class identifies the visual and verbal cues of authentic listening (listening with the ears, eyes, and heart).
15 Minutes You Do
Partner Interview and Legacy Maps
Students utilize the Family and Legacy Student Worksheet . They pair up to interview each other about a positive family or community heritage tradition, mapping the transmission of that legacy and completing their graphic organizers.
5 Minutes Reflect
SEL Appreciation
Structured share: Students give a "shout-out" appreciation to their partner for a specific active listening behavior they experienced during the interview process.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • GRADE 8 EXPLORATORY PAGE 3 OF 4
Day 3 Lesson Plan
Sabor y Comunidad
"Sabor y Comunidad" (Flavor and Community)
SEL Focus
Social Awareness & Reflection
Learning Objectives
Deconstruct how specific culinary products serve as community connectors in distinct Hispanic regions.
Compare cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation within traditional foods.
NYS World Language Alignment
1c: Presentational Communication (Describe community dishes/ingredients).2b: Cultural Perspectives (Investigate cultural food legacy protocols).
Instructional Sequence
15 Minutes Morning Mtg
Do Now & Greeting
Do Now: What food or spice triggers a warm comfort memory for you? Why?Greeting: El Saludo de la Receta (Greeting classmates with a warm smile, sharing their absolute favorite food or aroma).Group Activity: Class interactive pulse (Raise hands if you love sweet, spicy, corn-based, or rice-based dishes).
10 Minutes I Do
Culinary Heritage & Staple Ingredients
Teacher maps out the cultural legacy of key Mesoamerican and Andean culinary products (e.g., maize, beans, squash, plantains). Focus on regional dishes like pupusas (El Salvador), arepas (Venezuela/Colombia), and tamales (Mexico). Emphasize culinary pride (orgullo culinario ) and connection.
15 Minutes We Do
Appreciation vs. Appropriation Interactive Sort
Teacher leads a high-engagement collaborative discussion. Students analyze scenarios to determine if they show cultural appreciation (honoring history, sourcing properly, attributing origin) or cultural appropriation (profiting while stripping identity, masking history, treating culture as a trend).
15 Minutes You Do
Culinary Mapping and Personal Reflection
Students utilize the Sabor y Comunidad Student Worksheet to map ingredients and complete the "Appreciation vs. Appropriation reflection guidelines" and the "Unit Reflection Rubric".
5 Minutes Reflect
Final Unit Synthesis
Reflective exit question: "How has your understanding of Hispanic heritage changed or expanded over these last three days?" Write your response on the worksheet exit card.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • GRADE 8 EXPLORATORY PAGE 4 OF 4
Responsive Heritage Teacher Guide Teacher Toolkit
Responsive Classroom Guide
Structured Morning Meetings • Complete 3-Day Scripts
GRADES 6-8
SEL INTEGRATION
Pedagogical Framework Morning Meetings build a safe, predictable learning environment. This is crucial when exploring identity and cultural values. Every day includes a structured Greeting , Sharing , and Morning Message .
Day 1: Our Names, Our Stories (El Orgullo de mi Nombre)
1. Greeting
2. Sharing
3. Message
El Saludo Caluroso: "Class, today we will pass a greeting around our circle. Look directly into your peer's eyes, smile warmly, and say: 'Buenos días, [Name]'. Focus completely on the correct pronunciation of their name. If you are unsure, ask: 'Could you say your name once for me so I can pronounce it with respect?'"
Prompt: "What is one thing you love about your name, or what does your name mean to you? If your name has a story, briefly share it with the person next to you."
Message: "Buenos días, clase. Today we begin our Heritage Journey. Our names represent who we are and where we come from. We honor one another by learning to pronounce every name perfectly."
Day 2: Family & Legacy (La Familia y el Legado)
1. Greeting
2. Sharing
3. Message
El Saludo de Codo: "Welcome! Find three partners you haven't spoken with today. Greet them with a gentle elbow bump, and say: '¡Hola! Te respeto hoy.' Make sure you pause to receive their response before moving on."
Prompt: "Think of a wisdom keeper or elder (abuelo/a or community member) in your life. What is one piece of advice or story they shared with you that stuck with you?"
Message: "Welcome back, scholars. Yesterday we honored our names. Today we expand our circle to honor our families and community elders. We will practice listening with our ears, our eyes, and our hearts."
Day 3: Sabor y Comunidad (Food and Community)
1. Greeting
2. Sharing
3. Message
El Saludo de la Receta: "Greet your table peers by sharing your absolute favorite home-cooked dish or comfort scent. Say: '¡Buenos días! My name is [Name], and my comfort dish is...' Listen to discover any shared ingredients."
Prompt: "Why do you think food is such a powerful connector? How can sharing food represent deep appreciation rather than just a trend?"
Names Identity Slides Day 1 Our Names, Our Stories
EL ORGULLO DE MI NOMBRE
Welcome to our
Heritage Journey
Today we discover how names connect us to ancestral histories, community identity, and mutual respect (respeto ).
Do Now
Write down the story of your name on Page 1 of your handout.
Who chose your name?
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 1
I Do Teacher Modeling
EL DOBLE APELLIDO
How Double Surnames Work
In most Spanish-speaking countries, individuals receive two surnames: one from their father and one from their mother. This carries forward ancestral lineage and lineage-equality.
Example: Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel
First Name
García
Father's Surname
Márquez
Mother's Surname
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 2
We Do Guided Practice
PRONUNCIACIÓN DE RESPETO
Pronunciation is Respect
In Spanish, vowel sounds are always pure and consistent. Let's practice saying them as a class.
A[ah]
E[eh]
I[ee]
O[oh]
U[oo]
Interactive Modeling
How to ask your classmate about pronunciation politely:
"I want to say your name with respect. Could you please say your name for me?"
Practice this script now with your table neighbor.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 3
You Do Your Turn
HISTORIA DE MI NOMBRE
Your Naming Story
Open your student activity packet to Page 1. Complete the naming analysis diagram and story reflections.
If you don't know your name's origin, you can write about who chose it, what it means to you, or why you love going by your preferred name.
Partner Share Guidelines
Listen with your complete eyes, ears, and body.
Verify spelling and correct pronunciation.
Appreciate your partner's heritage story.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 4
Names Identity Worksheet Student Packet • Day 1
Our Names, Our Stories
"El Orgullo de mi Nombre" (The Pride of my Name)
Nombre: ________________
Fecha: ________________
Do Now: Naming Roots
Write down what you know about your name. Who chose it? What is its origin, meaning, or story?
Part 1: Cultural Comparison • El Doble Apellido
In most Hispanic cultures, individuals carry two surnames: the father's primary family name and the mother's primary family name. Let's practice analyzing this beautiful ancestral tradition.
Analyze: Elena Torres Vega
Elena 1. First Name
Torres 2. Father's Surname
Vega 3. Mother's Surname
Part 2: Pronunciation as Respect • Respeto en Acción
Practice pure Spanish vowels (A, E, I, O, U ). Connect with three classmates, ask politely for their name's pronunciation, and write their names below.
Peer 1 Name _______________
Peer 2 Name _______________
Peer 3 Name _______________
Part 3: Personal Connection Narrative
Why is learning to pronounce names accurately a vital starting point for building respeto inside our class? Write a brief reflection below.
SEL Self-Check:
Spoke with clarity Listened with respect Proud of my story
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • STUDENT PACKET PAGE 1 OF 3
Family Legacy Slides Day 2 Family & Legacy
LA FAMILIA Y EL LEGADO
Family and
Our Shared Legacies
Today we explore how stories pass down wisdom and how family traditions shape who we are today.
Do Now
Write down what the word "elder" means to you on Page 2 of your packet.
Who is a wise elder or community keeper in your life?
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 1
I Do Teacher Modeling
LOS ABUELOS Y LA TRADICIÓN
Elders as Living Libraries
In many Hispanic and Latino cultures, grandparents (los abuelos) and older community members are revered keepers of family history and values.
Oral Traditions
Wisdom, history, and life lessons are primarily transmitted verbally through stories told around dinner tables or family circles.
Linaje & Respeto
Respecting and actively consulting elders before key life choices is a baseline cultural marker across many traditional families.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 2
We Do Guided Practice
LA ESCUCHA ACTIVA
How to Listen with Your Heart
Active listening (escucha activa) is more than silence. It is showing your peer that their legacy is safe with you.
Eyes aligned, giving positive nods.
Keeping a neutral and welcoming facial posture.
Asking follow-up questions to dig deeper.
Interactive Simulation
Observe the teacher's interview with our volunteer.
What physical behaviors did you notice that showed authentic interest? How did the interviewer respond to the details?
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 3
You Do Your Turn
NUESTRO LEGADO
Partner Interview Rotations
Turn to Page 2 of your packet. Take turns interviewing your partner about a tradition, custom, or story passed down in their family or community.
Use the provided prompts:"What is a favorite tradition your family or community shares?" "Who taught you about this custom?"
Interview Protocol
Interviewer speaks 30% / Partner speaks 70%.
Write key phrases inside your graphic organizer.
Conclude with a specific, detailed thank-you.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 4
Family Legacy Worksheet Student Packet • Day 2
Family and Legacy
"La Familia y el Legado" (Family and Legacy)
Nombre: ________________
Fecha: ________________
Do Now: Wisdom Keepers
Define "elder" in your own terms. Who is a wise elder or community keeper in your life, and what is one lesson they shared?
Part 1: Partner Interview • Escucha Activa
Interview your partner about a family or community tradition (e.g., holiday gatherings, shared stories, special celebrations). Listen with your eyes and heart, and record key notes.
Partner's Name:
________________________
Who Passed Down the Custom?
________________________
Description of the Tradition / Custom:
Part 2: Transmission Timeline
Map how this custom travels through generations. Write or sketch a brief descriptor in each stage.
1. Ancient/Elder Roots
2. Practiced Today
3. Future Generation
Part 3: Empathy & Connection Reflection
How does practicing authentic active listening (escucha activa ) help you better understand and appreciate cultural legacies that differ from your own?
SEL Self-Check:
Mindful physical posture Asked follow-up questions Honored peer's heritage
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • STUDENT PACKET PAGE 2 OF 3
Food Community Slides Day 3 Sabor y Comunidad
EL SABOR DE LA COMUNIDAD
Sabor y Comunidad •
Culinary Connectors
Today we discover how food represents community history, and explore how to show deep appreciation for other cultures' culinary products.
Do Now
Write down a food, aroma, or spice memory that brings you complete comfort on Page 3 of your handout.
Why is this dish so special to you?
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 1
I Do Teacher Modeling
EL LEGADO CULINARIO
Food as Heritage and Love
Traditional foods are more than recipes. They carry centuries of agricultural wisdom, regional pride (orgullo), and communal gathering.
Pupusas
El Salvador
Thick, handmade griddled corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, or savory fillings.
Arepas
Venezuela / Col.
Versatile ground maize dough pockets, split open and loaded with avocado, meat, or beans.
Tamales
Mexico / Mesoamer.
Steamed corn-dough packets wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves, steamed to perfection.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 2
We Do Guided Practice
APRECIACIÓN VS. APROPIACIÓN
Appreciation
Honoring a culture by learning about its history, crediting and attributing the origin of the dishes, sourcing authentic local ingredients, and supporting community owners.
Example: Learning the historical roots of Mexican hot chocolate and making it authentically.
Appropriation
Taking components of a culture without consent, changing their meaning to make money, stripping away historical origin, or presenting them as a trendy personal invention.
Example: A non-traditional company claiming they "invented" a "cleaner" version of local pupusas.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 3
You Do Your Turn
MI CONEXIÓN Y REFLEXIÓN
Food Mapping and Self-Check
Open your student packet to Page 3. Complete the Culinary Legacy Map, the Appreciation Guidelines Card, and the final unit self-assessment rubric.
Think about how your own family or cultural food traditions connect to what we have discovered about Hispanic culinary heritage.
Final Unit Commitments
✓ I will pronounce names with careful respect (Respeto).
✓ I will listen deeply to family/elder narratives.
✓ I will celebrate culture with intentional appreciation.
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY SLIDE 4
Food Community Worksheet Student Packet • Day 3
Sabor y Comunidad
"Sabor y Comunidad" (Flavor and Community)
Nombre: ________________
Fecha: ________________
Do Now: Comfort Flavors
What is a flavor, spice, or home-cooked food scent that represents safety or comfort for you? Why?
Part 1: Culinary Geography • Sabor de Origen
Draw lines or write down the matching staple ingredient and region of origin for each famous community dish based on today's presentation.
1. Pupusa Staple ingredient: ________________
2. Arepa Staple ingredient: ________________
3. Tamal Staple ingredient: ________________
Part 2: Reflection • Appreciation vs. Appropriation
Review the scenario below. Determine if it shows Appreciation (honoring origin) or Appropriation (stripping origin for profit), and write down one change that would make it more respectful.
"A fast-food chain starts selling 'Super Arepas' but calls them 'flat biscuit patties' and removes all mention of Venezuela or Colombia from their advertising to make it trendier."
Appreciation Appropriation
How to make it respectful:
__________________________________________
Part 3: End of Unit Self-Assessment
Reflect honestly on your participation across this 3-day Hispanic Heritage Journey.
1. Respeto (Naming Care)
Novice Growing Leader
2. Escucha Activa (Listening with Eyes & Heart)
Novice Growing Leader
SEL Self-Check:
Valued local flavors Analyzed scenarios Committed to respect
HISPANIC HERITAGE JOURNEY • STUDENT PACKET PAGE 3 OF 3
