Resources to Teach about Cuba

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I know many of us plan units around a topic, theme, or studying a particular country so today I wanted to share with you a few resources to teach about Cuba in your classroom! Just a quick note, there are so many amazing options out there, I tried to gather as many as I could, but if there’s something I’m missing, please feel free to drop a comment to help other teachers as they are planning!

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Readers Based in Cuba

I found these recommended in a Facebook group for Spanish teachers. It’s always a good idea to preview a book before adding it to your library with your specific classroom and learners in mind!

Websites and Video Resources to Teach about Cuba

As always, I’d recommend checking these before showing them to your students. Just because it’s a good fit for one classroom doesn’t mean it’s a perfect fit everywhere! I’ve also tried to list where they can be found now, but we know the internet is always changing on us, so hopefully if they’re not on that host any longer it might be found through a quick Google!

Candela: The Lives of Cuban Women BBC
Osain del Monte- Abbilona Youtube
Orishas – Cuba Isla Bella Youtube
Concierto de Obini Bata (First all female Afro-Cuban Folklore group founded in Havana, Cuba) Youtube
Google Slides shared by Vanessa Bentley-Moeschen
Fall in love with the street art from Brazil & Cuba. Youtube
Cuba Travel – Havana, Viñales, Trinidad & Cienfuegos – Youtube
ACTFL 2019 Presentation (IPA & CUBA) – Shared by Victoria Gilbert *If you make any new IPA’s from the authres in the folder, please leave a copy there for others

Bring Cuban Rhythm to Your Classroom

If your students love moving and listening to music, this is a perfect chance to blend culture and language in a memorable way. Cuban music is full of rhythm, history, and vibrant energy and your classroom can be too.

Try starting with a quick intro to Afro-Cuban rhythms or even a mini-lesson on salsa and son cubano. You can play a short clip from a group like Buena Vista Social Club and have students identify instruments or write what they hear in Spanish.

Want to take it up a notch? Create a class playlist of Cuban artists. Add one song a day as a “musical warm-up” while students get settled. Keep it clean, classroom-appropriate, and varied in genre. Let students vote on their favorite at the end of the week and share a quick paragraph explaining why in Spanish, of course.

You could even introduce basic salsa steps and have a dance break if your school allows movement activities. No full choreography needed. Just something fun that connects them physically with the culture they’re learning.

Let Your Students Be the Tour Guides

Turn your classroom into a Cuban travel agency. Give students a taste of project-based learning by having them create mini travel guides or presentations about Cuba. Each student or group can focus on a different city or region like Havana, Trinidad, or Viñales.

They can research landmarks, food, weather, and history, then pull it all together in a creative format like a brochure, a digital slideshow, or even a class “travel expo.” Add a twist by having them pitch why their destination is the best place to visit.

This is a great way to combine geography, vocabulary, and presentation skills, and it helps students take ownership of their learning in a fun and meaningful way.

Additional Resources to Teach about Cuba

Here’s a few more resources you could use in your unit(s) on Cuba!

Virtual Field Trip (Spanish & English)
Country Report Project (Printable | Digital)
Readings and activities in Spanish & English

Resources to Teach about Cuba

I hope these are helpful for you as you plan your unit on Cuba! Like I mentioned in the beginning, I know there is so much to cover, so if you have a video, book, or another resource you love including, please feel free to share in a comment below so I can add it for others to see!