Zinn Education Project: Latino

Zinn’s collection of resources for teaching about Latino history encourages critical thinking and active learning. The materials range from free teaching activities to films and books for purchase. They are intended to supplement existing curriculum. Many of the teaching strategies go beyond traditional content and instruction, and emphasize the importance of everyday people and their communities. For example, one lesson uses the example of protests by Mexican-American high school students in East Los Angeles as a way to motivate the class to think about what they would be willing to do to create change. Of special note is the Line Between Us teaching guide that integrates role playing, simulations, and stories into lessons about experiences on the U.S.-Mexico border. Teachers are encouraged to read Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, both to understand his approach and to fully implement some of the activities.