Hispanic Heritage Month
E.L. Haynes’ Spanish teacher, “Maestra” Noris Alderson, orchestrated a school-wide celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to teach students about the rich cultures of Hispanic countries. To build understanding of the connection between language, history, and culture, Maestra Alderson assigned each classroom to become an expert on a Hispanic country. Students spent the month learning about their assigned country and transforming their classrooms as they discovered more about the culture they were representing.
On Thursday, October 30, 2008, the students’ hard work culminated in a day-long celebration – Dia Latina. In the morning, students assembled in the gymnasium with flags, costumes, and sashes representing their country for a parade of flags and hats celebrating Hispanic countries. Student performances of traditional dances and songs were the highlight of the assembly. Students in the Latin Club, an after school elective, presented four traditional Panamanian dances. Students in choir performed traditional songs for the crowd. Following the assembly, classes toured the building visiting the different classrooms, each representing a different country, to learn about the various traditions of Hispanic cultures from other students. The day ended in fiestas featuring traditional Hispanic foods and dancing.
Upper Left:
Students in the after-school Latin club performed traditional Panamanian dances for a crowd that included students, teachers, parents, Ambassadors, and other dignitaries.
Upper Middle:
Each classroom was assigned a specific country to research and represent. This class represented Ecuador.
Upper Right:
Two students representing Panama proudly display their hats, sashes, and flags in celebration.
Middle Left:
A student excitedly waves the flag of the Dominican Republic.
Middle Middle:
Jennifer Niles, Head of School, and Spanish Teacher Noris Alderson celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, proudly displaying a hand-made cloth version of E.L. Haynes logo.
Middle Right:
Dancers from the Latin Club anxiously await the begining of the celebration and their dance performances.
Bottom Left:
Students in each class became experts on their country and shared their new knowledge with classmates from across the school. In this picture, a student is sharing information from a tour book with a younger student.
Bottom Middle:
A student wearing a traditional Panamanian dress prepares for her dance performance.
Bottom Right:
A pair of Latin Club students prepare for the Dia Latina celebration.
