At present one in every four people in New York City speaks Spanish as their first language or claims Hispanic origin. However, the massive Hispanic settlement in the city happened relatively late compared to other ethnic groups. Who were the Hispanic pioneers in New York City? Where did they settle down in the city? How did they live and interact with other people? What role did early cultural and religious establishments play in the community? A research of the documents preserved in the City government archives and other materials around these questions will help the students better understand how Latinos helped reshape the City.

1. Students will study the earliest Hispanic settlements in New York City and their demographic, political, economic, and cultural impact on the city's development.

2. Students will, in their research, learn to use information of the primary and secondary sources.

3. Students will gain better understanding of such basic social studies concepts as immigration, identity, stereotyping, discrimination, tradition, and value.

4. Students will develop critical thinking skills, various research skills, graphic and mapping skills and language skills.

Students' participation in the group and class discussion and in the interview and field trip; completed activity sheets; students' writing and research paper

[ back to top ]