If you want to bring New Years in Spanish speaking countries into your classroom this January, you can give your students something far more meaningful than a simple “welcome back” activity. You can use this as a chance to build reading comprehension skills while exploring rich cultural traditions from across the Spanish speaking world.
In upper elementary grades, students are ready to compare traditions, make cultural connections, and read at a deeper level. January is the perfect time to use that energy. When you introduce New Year’s traditions from Colombia, Argentina, Spain, Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile, you give your students a window into how different families celebrate hope, joy, and good luck at the start of the year. You also strengthen their background knowledge, which supports reading success long after the lesson is over.
Below, you will find ideas, classroom tips, and ways to make these reading passages a meaningful part of your January plans.
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Why Teach New Years in Spanish Speaking Countries?
Many students know about midnight countdowns and fireworks, but they may not realize how diverse New Year’s celebrations can be around the world. Learning about New Years in Spanish speaking countries helps your students understand that traditions vary based on culture, geography, and values.
Your students will learn about Colombia’s three potatoes tradition, Ecuador’s años viejos, Spain’s twelve lucky grapes, and Mexico’s focus on family and hope for the coming year. These traditions spark curiosity and open the door for rich conversations in your classroom. They also provide a natural way to blend social studies and reading comprehension in one easy lesson.
When you give students engaging cultural texts, you make reading feel purposeful. Students begin to see that reading helps them learn about people, celebrations, and the world beyond their own community.
What Your Students Will Learn Through These Passages
When you use these passages, your students learn far more than a list of New Year’s customs. You guide them to think deeply and practice essential comprehension skills.
Your students will:
- Strengthen reading comprehension skills using accessible and engaging informational texts
- Explore how New Year’s is celebrated across multiple Spanish speaking countries
- Compare and contrast traditions and make cultural connections
- Practice answering both multiple choice and short response questions
- Build vocabulary related to celebrations and global traditions
- Develop confidence reading across print and digital formats
Every passage includes a short, focused text that highlights one country and one tradition. This structure helps your students stay engaged and prevents cognitive overload. They can focus on one idea at a time and apply targeted reading skills without feeling overwhelmed.
What’s Included in the New Years in Spanish Speaking Countries Resource
You get everything you need to run a complete, no prep New Year’s lesson. The set includes:
- Six informational reading passages featuring New Year’s traditions in Colombia, Argentina, Spain, Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile
- Five reading comprehension questions per passage that include four multiple choice items and one written response
- Answer keys for quick checking or self grading
- A digital Google Slides version with text boxes so your students can type their answers
Because the resource is available in English, Spanish, or a bilingual bundle, you can choose the version that works best for your class. If you teach a bilingual or dual language program, the bilingual bundle gives you both languages in one place so you can differentiate without extra prep.
Classroom Ideas for Using These Passages in January
You can use these passages in many different ways depending on your needs that week. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
1. Morning warm ups
Give your students one passage each day during the first week back from winter break. This helps them settle into a routine while practicing reading stamina.
2. Partner reading
Assign students a partner and let them take turns reading the passage aloud. They can discuss the tradition before answering the questions.
3. Social studies centers
Place each passage at a different station. Students rotate, read about a tradition, and complete the questions. You can even add a quick extension activity such as sketching the tradition or writing about a family custom of their own.
4. Compare and contrast writing
After reading several passages, ask your students to compare two countries. This works beautifully as a short writing task.
5. Digital assignments
Use Google Slides to assign the digital version. Students can type directly into the text boxes which makes grading simple and quick.
6. Early finisher activity
Because the passages are short, they work well for students who finish their regular work early but still need meaningful practice.
Why Students Love These Cultural Readings
Students enjoy these passages because the traditions feel surprising, relatable, and fun. Many students laugh when they learn about carrying a suitcase around the block for good travel luck or get fascinated by Spain’s twelve grapes tradition. These small details spark genuine curiosity.
When students connect emotionally with what they read, comprehension increases. They remember more, they participate more, and they begin to see reading as something that teaches them about real people and real celebrations.
Make January Easier With Ready to Use Passages
January is busy. You are resetting routines, reviewing expectations, and getting your class back into learning mode. Having ready to use New Years in Spanish speaking countries reading passages makes planning simple. You get meaningful, culturally rich texts that help you build background knowledge, support reading comprehension, and keep your students engaged.
The resource is available in English, Spanish, or a bilingual bundle so you can choose what fits your classroom best.
Use the links below to find these New Years in Spanish Speaking Countries passages on TPT:
If you want an easy way to blend culture and reading this January, these passages give you everything you need. Your students explore real traditions, practice meaningful reading skills, and start the new year with curiosity and connection.
