Resources to Teach about Ecuador

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 Ecuador 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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Discover Ecuador through Legends and Storytelling

If you’re looking to hook your students with culture and language in one go, Ecuadorian legends are the perfect blend of mystery and magic. These stories give students a glimpse into the beliefs and imagination of a country full of rich traditions.

One great option to start with is the Legend of Cantuña, a famous tale from Quito involving a clever man, a church, and a deal with the devil. This one is ideal for upper-level students who can analyze themes or even re-tell the story using their own words in Spanish. You can bring it into class with a short reading followed by an activity where students act it out, write a comic version, or rewrite the ending.

You might also enjoy weaving in El Nacimiento del Río Amazonas, another legend that combines storytelling with geography. Use it to talk about natural landmarks and connect to a map activity or reading response. These types of stories help students retain both language and cultural context without it feeling like “just another worksheet.”

Real Life Ecuador

Sometimes the best lessons come from answering the simple question: what is it actually like to live there? This is where you can really personalize your Ecuador unit and connect with your students’ natural curiosity.

Create a “day in the life” activity using videos, blog clips, or Instagram posts from Ecuadorians. Choose themes your students care about like school life, food, fashion, or weekend activities. Then turn that into a compare and contrast activity or have them write a pretend blog post from the point of view of a teen living in Quito or Cuenca.

It’s an easy way to boost cultural awareness and keep students actively using Spanish in a real-world context. Plus, they love feeling like they are getting an insider look into someone else’s everyday life.

Spanish Teachers from Ecuador

Make sure you check out these amazing authors and creators to see what they have shared!

• Verónica Moscoso
• Josefina Cabello of Mrs. Cabello’s Spanish Class

Readers Based in Ecuador

Just a head’s up – I haven’t read all of these, but I have read books by some of these authors that have been amazing!! The ones I have not read myself I found recommended in a Spanish teachers’ group online, from others who have used them. It’s always a good idea to preview a book before adding it to your library with your specific classroom and learners in mind!

• Todo lo que brilla
• Olivia y los monos 
• El rey Arthur
• Los ojos de Carmen 
• El capibara con botas

Websites and Video Resources to Teach about Ecuador

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!

• Qué significan las pañoletas que lucían las dos medallistas olímpicas de Ecuador en Tokio from AnneMarie Chase
• El Kichwa en el Ecuador from Kara Kane Jacobs
• Otra leyenda ecuatoriana: El nacimiento del Río Amazonas from Kara Kane Jacobs
• Free Unit: La Importancia de la Educación para todos en Ecuador from Kara Kane Jacobs
• Meet the Misahuallí Monkeys (Youtube) – This is to go with Olivia y los monos!

Additional Resources

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

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

Resources to Teach about Ecuador

I hope these are helpful for you as you plan your unit on Ecuador! 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!

Spanish Teacher Tees

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