Voices of Heritage: Exploring Identity Through Poetry and Prose

Grade Level: 9-12

Time: 45-60 minutes, can be modified for 2-3 class periods

Essential Question

How do personal stories and cultural heritage shape identity and belonging? 

About This Lesson

This lesson uses the book Yes! We Are Latinos, a powerful collection of poems and prose, to explore the richness and diversity of the Latino experience in the United States. Students will examine stories of identity, heritage, struggle, and pride as shared by fictionalized Latino characters representing various cultural backgrounds. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, this lesson helps students develop a deeper understanding of how culture shapes identity and encourages them to reflect on their own voices and experiences. Students will create personal identity poems or artistic responses inspired by the voices in the text.