Hi Reader,

There’s a certain kind of magic in Havana... the kind that catches your eye in its colorful streets and stays in your heart long after you’ve left. This week, my students and I “traveled” there through our imaginations and art supplies!

To bring Havana to life, we studied photos of the city’s famous pastel buildings and vintage cars. Then, using chalk pastels, each student created their own scene. They used bright colors such as yellows, ocean blues, coral pinks, and mint greens just like the ones that line Havana’s streets. We turned their artwork into a giant “zoomed-in” version of Havana on our classroom bulletin board and it became a celebration of color, creativity, and curiosity!

While we learned about Havana’s beauty, we also talked gently about how Cuba has faced challenges, especially with resources and rebuilding. Yet through it all, Cubans are known for their resilience and creativity, finding ways to make life vibrant no matter what. It was a beautiful reminder that even when life isn’t easy, there’s always room for color, music, and hope.

Kid-Friendly Facts About Cuba

1. 🏝️ Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean!
2. 🚗 Havana is famous for its classic cars from the 1950s that still cruise the streets today.
3. 🎶 Music and dance fill the city - you can hear salsa and rumba almost anywhere you go.
4. 🍌 Plantains are a favorite food! They’re often fried into crunchy snacks called tostones.
5. 🐸 Cuba is home to the world’s smallest frog and bird!

By the end of the week, our classroom wasn’t just filled with art. It was filled with empathy, imagination, and understanding. 🌍✨

If you’d like to bring global learning like this into your classroom, or have me speak at your school or district about teaching kids to see the world with curiosity and care , I’d love to connect!

👉 Send me an email to learn more about classroom travel experiences and global awareness workshops for teachers.

Have a wonderful week!

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