Celebrating Costa Rica Through Art: Our Hispanic Heritage Project

We officially started our Hispanic Heritage project this week, and I’m so excited to share what we’ve been working on! Every year, we celebrate a different country, and this time, we’re diving into the vibrant culture of Costa Rica.

I began by asking my students what they already knew about Costa Rica. To my surprise (and delight), most of them didn’t know much at all—so I got to introduce them to this beautiful country from the ground up. We talked about its rich biodiversity, how it’s known for being one of the happiest places on Earth, and of course… its world-famous pineapples.  The kids’ eyes lit up when I showed them pictures of the special pink pineapple variety. That detail alone sparked so much curiosity and excitement!

Pink Pineapple

From there, we launched into our art project. I wanted something that was not only fun and colorful but also hands-on to strengthen their fine motor skills. We used scissors and glue—a challenge for some students—but one that was worth it. Parents, if you can, please let your kids practice these tools at home. Cutting and gluing are such simple but essential skills, and the more they practice, the more confident and creative they become.

As always, their imagination took over in the best ways. Some students used what we’ve learned about color theory, carefully choosing complementary or analogous colors to make their pineapples pop. Others ran wild with unique ideas—like turning a pineapple into SpongeBob's house, giving it a face and body, or surrounding it with patterns and phrases inspired by Costa Rica. A few even combined everything: color blending, bold designs, and thoughtful little details.

What I loved most was watching how engaged they were. At first, some struggled with the tools or felt unsure about their designs, but by the end of class, they were confidently creating pieces that reflected their personalities and ideas. Their growth in just one project amazed me.

Choosing just one project from each class to display on the bulletin board was nearly impossible. Every student brought something special, and the effort and dedication they poured into their work warmed my heart. Truly, my little artists are rocking it this year, and I couldn’t be prouder.

This project has been such a joyful start to our Hispanic Heritage celebration, and I can’t wait to see where our Costa Rican journey takes us next. Stay tuned for more updates, and if you visit the school, don’t forget to check out our bulletin board, located next to room 12A—it’s bursting with creativity and color thanks to the kids’ hard work! Pura Vida!