September is Hispanic Heritage Month, and it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce your students to a little culture and art. Why not highlight a famous Mexican artist—Frida Kahlo? She’s world-renowned for her striking self-portraits, and many call her the “queen of selfies.” Kids love this connection!
Activity Idea
- Introduce Mexican Culture & Frida Kahlo – Begin with a short introduction to Mexican culture—its vibrant colors, traditions, and symbols (like flowers, patterns, or animals that often appear in folk art). Then, share a few facts about Frida Kahlo’s life and her self-portraits. You can show a slideshow of her artwork or read a kid-friendly book about her to spark curiosity.
- Create Self-Portraits with a Twist – Use a cell phone template where students can draw their own self-portrait.
- Option 1: Students draw their portrait in the phone “screen.”
- Option 2: Take pictures of students (almost like selfies) and place them on the phone template. When I do this with my students, I bring accessories inspired by Mexican culture (like flowers, shawls, or colorful patterns) that they can wear to make their photo unique.
3. Decorate the Phone Case – Have students design their “phone case” with patterns, colors, and drawings inspired by Mexican culture and Frida Kahlo’s artwork. This reinforces what they’ve learned while letting them express their creativity.
Students always connect when we bring learning closer to their everyday lives—and phones are something they definitely relate to! This activity is engaging, meaningful, and a fun way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
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