#Authres for Juneteenth in Spanish Class
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One of the beautiful things about teaching a language class is that we can teach about pretty much any topic. We just teach about it IN the target language! This gives us a lot of space to discuss culture, history, societal issues – really anything you want! This post will give you several resources for #authres for Juneteenth you can use in Spanish class.
Note: #authres is short for authentic resources
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (short for June 19th) is an important day in the history of the United States. It is also known as Freedom Day! If you haven’t heard of it before, I’ll do my best to give you a short summary. President Lincoln declared that as of January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the states would be freed – but not all slaves were freed! On June 19th, 1865, the end of slavery was enforced. While there’s still work to do, this date represents an important step in the fight for freedom and civil liberties for all.
Authentic Resources for Juneteenth in Spanish Class
Clarín is a news site based in Argentina. They posted this article titled, “Qué es el Juneteenth y por qué se celebra”. I found this thanks to Mis Clases Locas for sharing this on her Facebook Page!
Telemundo also posted an article you could use with your students! It’s titled, “Estados Unidos celebra Juneteenth y muchos no saben por qué. Así impacta lo que las escuelas no enseñan a los niños” and could be very interesting to discuss in class as you explore what is (and isn’t!) included in curriculum.
This Instagram post from @languageworkers4blacklives is another good option for your students. I especially like this one because it’s broken up into chunks in the post, which might make it more manageable for your students!
Finally, Ebony Thornton @senoritathorntonghs shared this post she found that is a short explanation of the day. Of all the resources linked in this post, this is the most succinct, so if you were looking for something for a warm up or bell ringer, this may be a good option!
Bonus – I ran into this article titled “Why This Mexican Village Celebrates Juneteenth” retweeted by A.C. Quintero that, while in English, offers another source and perspective to dig into with your students.
Juneteenth in Spanish Class
I know many of you may be out of school, but if you have a class Instagram or teacher profile, you could simply reshare these resources to your account. If you’re in class, you could use them as reading activities. There’s certainly a lot of discussion to be had!
Making Juneteenth Click with Your Students
Let’s be real for a second. Sometimes when we introduce a historical topic, especially one students haven’t heard much about, we get a few blank stares. That’s normal. But you know what helps? Making connections to things they already care about.
Juneteenth is all about freedom and justice. Those themes are powerful. So let’s use them. Ask your students things like “¿Conoces otros momentos cuando un grupo luchó por sus derechos?” or “¿Qué significa la libertad para ti?” These questions spark big conversations.
Want to take it a step further? Bring in Afro-Latinx voices. Pull lyrics from music, find quotes from activists, or even show clips of artists talking about identity and resistance. Translate them together as a class, break them down, and let students react.
Suddenly it’s not just a history lesson. It becomes a moment where your classroom feels connected to something real and relevant. Students lean in. They share. And best of all, they’re doing it all in Spanish.
Easy Mini Project Ideas That Feel Big
Looking for something you can do in one class period but still feels meaningful? Try a mini project. Have students create one Google Slide to reflect on what Juneteenth means to them. They can write a short sentence, add a picture, maybe even a quote they found.
You could also open a shared Jamboard and ask them to each post one thing they learned or felt after reading the article. Just one sticky note. But when they all show up together, it feels powerful.
Flipgrid is another fun option. Let students record a short video answering “¿Por qué es importante aprender sobre Juneteenth?” Keep it low pressure. Keep it authentic.
These little moments matter. They create space for voice, reflection, and connection. And the best part is, they fit right into your Spanish curriculum in a way that feels natural and joyful.
