Resources to Teach about Panama

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 Panama 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 Panama

Just a head’s up – I haven’t read this one, but I found it recommended in a Spanish teachers’ group online, from others who have used it. It’s always a good idea to preview a book before adding it to your library with your specific classroom and learners in mind!

• Vector
• Las Aventuras de Enrique en Panamá

Websites and Video Resources to Teach about Panama

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!

• El águila harpía, la sorprendente ave que es confundida con una persona disfrazada
• DE COMPRAS EN EL CENTRO COMERCIAL MÁS GRANDE DE LATINOAMÉRICA – YouTube
• Cocaleca – Youtube
• Mariano Rivera “The closer” Yankees de Nueva York – Youtube
• CANAL DE PANAMA HISTORIA Y COMO FUNCIONA – Youtube
• Historia del Canal de Panamá  – YouTube

Additional Resources

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

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

Traditional Crafts from Panama

Want something hands-on to bring your Panama unit to life? Say hello to molas. These beautiful layered fabric designs are made by the Guna (also spelled Kuna) people, one of the Indigenous groups of Panama. The colors, shapes, and patterns are totally captivating, and your students will be all in once they see them.

You can show photos or a quick video about how molas are made, then let students try a simplified version using construction paper. They can cut, layer, and glue to mimic the intricate designs. This can tie into a lesson on identity, symbolism, or even adjectives in Spanish to describe colors and shapes.

Want to keep it tech-friendly? Have students design a digital mola on Google Slides or Canva using layered shapes and bold colors. It is a creative break that still builds cultural knowledge, and your classroom wall or digital board will look amazing afterward.

Spotlight on Panama’s Natural Wonders

The Panama Canal usually gets all the attention, but Panama is also home to rainforests, coral reefs, and one of the largest bird species in the Americas, the harpy eagle. If you are looking to add a little science and geography into your Spanish classroom, this is a perfect fit.

Show a short video of the harpy eagle in its habitat and introduce related vocabulary in Spanish. You can have students write a short description, create a poster, or compare it to other animals they know. Panama’s biodiversity offers a natural way to bring in descriptive language, map skills, and cultural appreciation all in one.

This is also a great moment to introduce eco-tourism or environmental conservation. Let your students imagine they are travel writers or wildlife experts planning an educational tour through Panama. They will practice vocabulary and learn something new without even realizing it is all part of the lesson.

Resources to Teach about Panama

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

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