Lolita Lebrón: The Puerto Rican Freedom Fighter Who Dared to Be Heard, Hispanic Heritage

Introduce your students to Lolita Lebrón, a courageous Puerto Rican freedom fighter, with this engaging and educational assignment perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month or any unit on activism and history. This resource includes:

• Coloring Sheet & Quick Bio: A detailed, easy-to-color illustration of Lolita Lebrón paired with a brief overview of her life and legacy to spark interest and creativity.

• Reading Comprehension Passage: A clear, student-friendly 250-word passage that tells the story of Lebrón’s bold activism, including her historic 1954 protest at the U.S. Capitol.

• Comprehension Questions: Five thoughtful questions designed to assess reading understanding, critical thinking, and reflection on her impact.

• Video Extension: Enhance the lesson with the recommended video “Lolita Lebrón and the Puerto Rican Independence Movement” on YouTube, which provides valuable historical context and engaging visuals.

This cross-curricular resource supports literacy, social studies, and cultural appreciation for students in grades 5–9, with adaptable lesson plans that span 45–60 minutes.

🎥 Recommended Video:

Lolita Lebrón and the Puerto Rican Independence Movement

📘 Common Core State Standards (CCSS) – ELA

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1 – 8.1

Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2 – 8.2

Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3 – 8.3

Explain the relationships or interactions between individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical text based on specific information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2 – 8.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

🌍 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Themes

Theme 1: Culture

Understand how cultural values, beliefs, and practices influence individual and group identity.

Theme 2: Time, Continuity, and Change

Analyze historical events, examine cause and effect, and understand people’s roles in shaping history.

Theme 6: Power, Authority, and Governance

Explore how individuals and groups attempt to influence public policy and societal change.

Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices

Understand the importance of civic engagement and the role of protest and advocacy in democratic societies.