This document provides an overview of Latino/Hispanic Americans, including definitions of key terms like Hispanic and Latino. It discusses the history of Latino populations in the US dating back to the 16th century. Reasons for migration included economic opportunities, education, family, and political freedom. The document also describes cultural values and behaviors around communication, family structure, education, appearance, literature, music and more. It aims to capture the essence of Latino culture and experiences in the US.

1. LATINO/HISPANIC
AMERICANS
Ashley Cason, Grace Batten, Jacklin Akrivos,
and Michelle Fernandez

2. Latino or Hispanic
 Hispanic was introduced as a new category in the
1980 federal census as a convenient, inoffensive
label that could be applied to all people from the
Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America and
from Spain
 Hispanic: specifically refers to Spain, and to the
Spanish-speaking nations of the Americas, as
cultural and demographic extensions of Spain
 Latino: a native or inhabitant of Latin America
 Most prefer to be addressed by their national origin

3. History
 Lived in the US since the 16th century
 Established St. Augustine, Florida in 1565
 Established Santa Fe, New Mexico around 1609
 Texas won it’s independence from Mexico in 1836
 Mexican territory was ceded to the United States in the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848.
 Former Mexican citizens became citizens of the United
States and created the majority of the nation's Hispanic
population
 Puerto Ricans, did not migrate into the U.S. but instead
were absorbed into it during the American expansions of
the late 19th century. Puerto Ricans were granted American
citizenship in 1917.

4. Reasons for Migration
 Economic
 Education
 Family
 Political Freedom

5. Behavior
 Conversations normally take place at a close
physical distance
 When meeting someone it is Latino culture to kiss
each check briefly
 A lot of physical contact
 Standing with your hand’s on your hips or with
your hand’s in your pockets are no-no’s
 Use a “psst-psst” sound to catch each other’s
attention in public
 May not make eye contact

6. Communication
 More concerned with present than future
 More likely to excel in activities that are not fast
moving or timed
 Concentrate on long term goals instead of short
term
 More formal style of communication
 Refrain from using first names until invited to do
so
 A women will add her husband’s father’s name to
the end of her name. Usually shown as de (name)
when written.

7. Appearance
 Give great importance to and place great value
on looks and appearance
 Formal attire: church, parties, social
gatherings, and work
 Tennis shoes and jeans in non-formal settings

8. Family structure
 Close-knit group and the most important social unit
 The Latino “family unit” includes not only parents and
children but also extended family
 Father is the head of the family
 Mother is responsible for the home
 Individuals have a moral responsibility to aid other
members of the family in times of trouble
 When travelling it is common to stay with relatives
 Often gather together to celebrate special occasions
 Honor, good manners, and respect for authority and
the elderly
 Preserving the native language

9. Educational values
 Population is largely comprised of young kids
 Approach to education is closely related to a families
economic standing
 Location of the country and the influence from Europe
or the US can influence values
 Overall, the value of education comes second to that
of hard work
 Encouraged to go to school up until they are old
enough to work
 Higher financial standing families education seems to
be something that is passed down
 Education is a family oriented activity

10. Literature (Fiction)
 My Name Is María Isabel
By Alma Flor. Illus. by K. Dyble
Thompson
 Xochitl and the Flowers/Xóchitl, la
niña de las flores.
By Jorge Argueta illus. by Carl Angel
 Dream Carver
By Diana Cohn illus. by Amy Córdova
 ¡Sí, Se Puede!/Yes, We Can!: Janitor
Strike in L.A.
By Sharon Franco. illus. by Francisco
Delgado.
 Oh No, Gotta Go!
By Susan Middleton Elya. illus. by G.
Brian Karas
 Tomás and the Library Lady
By Pat Mora illus. by Raul Colón

11. Literature (Non-fiction)
 Uncle Snake
By Matthew Gollub. illus. by Leovigildo Martinez.
Tortuga
 La Llorona/The Weeping Woman: An Hispanic Legend
Told in Spanish & English
By Joe Hayes
 Just a Minute: a Trickster Tale and Counting Book
By Yuyi Morales illus. by author
 Frida
By Jonah Winter illus. by Ana Juan

12. Music
 Al Tambor
 Araña Pequeñita
 Barquito
 Buenos-dias
 Burrito Enfermo
 Chocolate
 Compadre
Compreme Un Coco
 Coqui
 Cuatro Camaroncitos

13. Music continued
 De Colores
 Duermete Mi Niño
 Elefantes
 Granja
 Hormiguitas
 Nanita Nana
 Naranja Dulce
 Noche Buena

14. Works Cited
 http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3761/is_199710/ai_n8769255
/pg_3/?tag=content;col1
 http://usa.usembassy.de/society-hispanics.htm
 http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA621756.html#ELEME
NTARY SCHOOL
 http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/projects/ninos/songsrhymes.html
 http://www.metrolyrics.com/mananitas-lyrics-joseluis-orozco.html
 http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/mexico.htm
 http://ohioline.oso.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5237.html