Latin America Resource Network

In 2008, Primary Source was awarded a three-year grant for the development of Latin America programming from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, a charitable group dedicated to strengthening the nation's future through education. Primary Source began work on Latin America in response to the clear need educators expressed for professional development on the region's history and culture.

Last spring's inaugural seminar series featured lectures and workshops on indigenous peoples, geography, Cuba and the economy, and race and Brazil, among others. In addition to a seminar series this year, Primary Source is offering several in-district programs on Latin America and adding a wealth of new resources for teaching about the region into its library collection.

Last year, the organization began a new initiative to connect educators interested in sharing teaching experiences, resources, and ideas with each other and with Primary Source. To date, 45 educators have joined the Latin America Resource Network, an online discussion forum open to teachers and administrators with an interest in learning and teaching about Latin America. In this moderated forum, history, social studies, English, and Spanish teachers from districts throughout greater Boston can post ideas and discuss curricula, as well as learn about new Primary Source library acquisitions.

All members can share information about upcoming events or request information about topics of interest. Recently, a teacher seeking graduate level courses abroad posted her query to the group while another teacher requested suggestions for appropriate Latin American films to show in her classroom. In addition, supporting organizations, like the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University, have joined the Network and regularly provide information about field trips, special exhibits, and opportunities for bringing in guest speakers to the classroom.

Participants in this year's seminar series on Latin America are eager to learn more about the region and see the Latin America Resource Network as an integral part of their learning experience. A world history teacher at Lexington High School remarked, "By taking this course and participating in the Latin America Resource network, I hope to discover new and different resources that I can successfully incorporate into the World History course." A K-8 library teacher seeking resources to help Latin American immigrant students in her school "see" themselves in the curriculum hopes, "the knowledge I gain from this class will help me to create meaningful curriculum connections and lessons for this underrepresented region and its people, I always learn so much from listening to other teachers, so I am glad to be part of this forum."

Request to join the Latin America Resource Network by visiting the LARN website or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .