Explore creative stories by young people about the language and culture of Latin America (article 3 of 3).
These writings from the Toitoi journal of young people’s writing give an inside view of Latin American culture from the perspective of young people. The stories and poems shown below describe Latin American language and culture as well as a number of other themes including history, geography, animals, food and maths. Make sure you also check out the introductory page and the Customs and Celebrations page.
Click the images below to explore each resource. Use the provocations to spark discussion and deeper thinking about global identity and connections.
Worlds Apart
Words by Mica de la Rosa (8), pictures by Jeomille Querubbin Cariquez Macarubbo (12). Theme: language. Available in English and Spanish.
Provocations
What might be the benefits of speaking more than one language?
How could knowing the language of a place help you to have a better understanding of their culture?
Memories
Words by Stella Weston (13), pictures by Zuri Hazlehurst (11). Themes: geography, animals, history, food. Available in English and Spanish.
Provocations
Have you visited another country? What were the special things you remember about that visit? How do those highlights of your trip compare with those shared in the story?
Think about people from your whānau who have visited another country. Talk to them about their memories. What sorts of things are very memorable for them? What were the highlights of their visit? How do those highlights compare with those shared in the story?
If you were a tourist exploring Central America, what would you be most interested in?
This is Me
Words by Amelia Rivas Herrera (9), pictures by Sequoia Wallace (7). Theme: language. Available in English and Spanish.
Provocations
Is more than one language spoken in your home? What about your classmates' homes?
What would be the advantages of having two or more languages spoken at home? Would there be any disadvantages?
The Latin Touch
Words and pictures by Nayef Rahman (12). Themes: food, indigenous people, ancient and modern culture. Available in English and Spanish.
Provocations
Nayef talks about the indigenous people including some of their art and alphabet. Find out more about Muisca people.
Compare the art in this story to the art of indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. What do you notice?
What else did you notice that is similar or different when comparing the two groups of people?
If you were a tourist exploring Colombia, what would you be most interested in?
A Trip to Ancient Mexico
Words and pictures by Daria Morales (8). Themes: ancient and modern culture, history, maths. Available in English and Spanish.
Provocations
How does our numbering system compare to that of ancient Mexico?
Compare this numbering system with the systems used by pre-European Māori. What similarities and differences are there between the systems?