Second Graders Explore Professions and Puerto Rican Indigenous Culture Through Art and Language

As part of this exploration, the class took a special cultural lens, connecting their learning to the Indigenous Taíno people of Puerto Rico.

One of the professions they learned about was the cacique, or chief, the leader of a Taíno community. To symbolize the role of the cacique, students learned about the Guanín, a medallion that the cacique wore as a symbol of leadership and respect.

Thanks to a special collaboration with art teacher Maestra Laura Zanes, House 21 and House 24 students had the opportunity to create their very own Guanín out of clay. Each child chose and carved meaningful Taíno petroglyphs into their piece, designs like the sun, water, and the coquí frog, connecting language, history, and creativity in a hands-on, memorable experience.

This project beautifully wove together Spanish, art, culture, and community. It honored the connection between nature (clay), heritage (petroglyphs), identity (the Guanín), and professions, showing students how language and culture go hand in hand, and how creativity brings meaning to learning. Click here to view the photo gallery.