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Exploring the Age of Exploration for Hispanic Heritage Month

Exploring the Age of Exploration for Hispanic Heritage Month

  |   Aaron School

At Aaron 30th Street, Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a celebration of culture and history- it’s also a chance for students to step into the shoes of those who shaped the world as we know it. Students enrolled in United States History I this year are bringing the Age of Exploration to life through a research and presentation project on the Spanish conquistadors who transformed history during this era.

 

Connecting the Past to the Present

Throughout the first unit, students discussed the motivations that drove European nations to explore the New World and the lasting impacts of their discoveries. From the promise of wealth and power to the spread of religion and empire, students are learning how these expeditions changed the course of global history. They are also examining the profound effects Spanish conquistadors had on Indigenous civilizations in the Americas, a critical part of understanding the complexities of this period.

Each student was assigned a specific conquistador, such as Francisco Pizarro, Hernán Cortés, Hernando de Soto, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, and Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. They each then dove into the research and explored the lives, motivations, expeditions and legacy of their assigned conquistador.

 

Research, Creativity, and Presentation Skills

Once their research was complete, students were encouraged to get creative with design choice, background and transitions as they put together their Google Slideshow presentation that highlighted key information. Each slide featured at least one central image to help tell the story. Presenting projects in this way gave students the opportunity to showcase their knowledge while practicing essential public speaking skills.

This assignment went well past the research and challenged students to think beyond the “what” and “where” of history and dive into the “why.” By examining the goals of explorers, the effects of the European conquest on Indigenous peoples, and the enduring consequences of these expeditions, students gained a deeper understanding of how history was shaped and why it is so important today.

 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

To share their hard work and learning with the broader school community, the completed projects will be displayed on bulletin boards throughout the school to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We are excited to recognize our students’ creativity, curiosity, and growing historical understanding as they honor this important time of year.

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