HISTORICALLY SPEAKING PUERTO RICO PATCH PROGRAM
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1. Puerto Rico is an island located in the Caribbean Sea and is a commonwealth of the United States. It’s nickname is “ Island of Enchantment”. View an outline of a Puerto Rico country map and its Capital. Identify it’s flag.

2. The official language of Puerto Rico is Spanish but most people that live there are bilingual and also speak English. They have also added words from the Taino Indians to their language over the years such as barbacoa, barbecue, hamaca, hammock or canoa, canoe. Learn some Spanish words OR learn some Taino words that are spoken in Puerto Rico.

3. One of the popular dances in Puerto Rico is the salsa. The band that plays the music has several singers, a piano, trumpets, maracas and other instruments. Watch a dance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance or instrument from Puerto Rico.

4. Most Puerto Rican dishes have a spicy taste. Many of the native foods are incorporated into their recipes. Stews and meat pies include chicken, beef and fish. Other common foods are genip, mango, tostones, fried plantains, and flan, coconut custard dessert. Try a recipe, food, or drink from Puerto Rico.

5. Some of the major holidays and festivals celebrated in Puerto Rico are Three Kings Day, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Day, Constitution Day, Luis Munz Rivera’s birthday, and Fiesta patronal. The children enjoy Kings Day, on January 6, because they receive presents. Learn more about the festivals or holidays in Puerto Rico, go to a festival, participate in one, OR complete a craft that represents a festival.

6. San Juan was protected from intruders, such as pirates, through forts and walls. The most important fort is El Morro. It is a six story castle that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Learn more about a fort, landmark, sculpture or building in Puerto Rico OR learn more about pirates.

7. Arecibo Observatory is one of the world’s most important space research centers. The telescope is designed to listen for vibrations of radio waves fro far out in space. It also helps scientists learn about the size, shape, and location of stars and planets. Learn more about the solar system OR go star gazing, OR learn more about the observatory .

8. The El Yunque is one of the oldest reserves in the western world. It is a tropical rainforest lined with flowers, waterfalls, and unique animals. Choose [3] animals, trees, OR plants that reside in the rainforest to learn more about. What do they look like? Examples include: Coqui frog, Puerto Rican Parrot, emerald hummingbird, quetzal, lizards, mongoose, orchid, jasmine, and hibiscus. .

9. The Taino Indians settled in Puerto Rico in AD 1000. They came from South America and built villages around the area called bayetes. They carve wooden bowls, boxes, create hammocks, clothing, belts, and jewelry to sell at the market or colmado. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR jewelry OR observe someone creating a handicraft from the Taino Indians. ? Refer to the Craft section in the back of this manual.

10. There is a long history of storytelling in Puerto Rico. Many of the Indian Taino stories have there interpretation of how the world came to be what it is today. The Spaniards told stories of witches and princesses. Juan Bobo is a popular character in most of the funny stories.

11. One of the most popular handicrafts created by artists all over town is creating masks. Many residents wear them for festivals and parades. Other people create wood carvings of detailed figures, weave, and create homemade lace from thread. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR observe someone creating a handicraft.

12. Traditional clothing in Puerto Rico is worn for special occasions or festivals. The women wear colorful skirts with a white top with elastic at the top. The can choose to show their shoulders or cover them. Draw a picture of the clothing, dress up in Armenia themed clothing, create an accessory, complete our paperdolls OR view traditional clothing through books or the internet or our country manual.

13. There are a variety of games that played in Puerto Rico by children. Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes Puerto Rico. Some examples include: Dominoes.