There are many advantages to using images in the classroom; they can be used to introduce a subject matter, serve as evidence for a topic, depict a theme or event you are trying to teach, etc. Images have flexible purposes and can be used in collaboration with other pictures to show a timeline of events or possibly even to compare and contrast specific instances. The Our Americas Archive Partnership website includes many historical photographs, drawings, plates, and maps that can be accessed free of charge. These images make great additions to PowerPoint presentations and can be displayed on a computer, a projector, or printed.

Utilizing pictures in the Spanish classroom can be an interesting way to get students to really think about the history, style, transportation, and other elements of daily life during a time period. For instance, during the beginning of the school year, some Spanish classes begin with the geography of Hispanic-speaking countries and major historic sites or landmarks in each city/country.

While students are looking at the picture, some questions teachers could ask to prompt discussion include:

Figure 5.1. Paseo de la Reforma

View down el Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City.

After having them discuss amongst themselves in pairs, groups, or as a class, the teacher can point out the different parts of the picture, its history, and cultural significance. The picture above was most likely taken shortly after the completion of the Paseo de la Reforma in 1879, which was created so that Emperor Maximilian I could be connected from his residence in the Chapultepec Castle (which can be seen at the far end of the Reforma) to the National Palace. The teacher can then describe Mexico City’s different historical landmarks (and then move on to other parts of Mexico afterwards). It can also be noted that there are some men on horse riding on Reforma headed towards the National Palace, who could be palace guards or civilians.

Teachers can also use images as a way to introduce the differing cultures of Spanish countries. These images demonstrate how people dressed and lived in the past.

Some questions that can be beneficial to pose while looking at the pictures include:

Using different pictures can introduce the multiple Spanish cultures. For example, the image of the Fabricantes de mecate shows Mixtecas from Oaxaca, Mexico working in the rope manufacturing business. In the photo, there are 2 men, who are braiding the strings to make a stronger rope, a woman, who is making tortilla-like food, and a child. While pointing out the different elements of living from the picture, you could then transition into talking about rural life in other countries (like Argentina and its gauchos) or how different parts of South America have their own specialties (like Columbia and its coffee beans).

Figure 5.2. Mixteca men making rope

Fabricantes de mecate, Mixtecas, Oaxaca.

Another benefit of using pictures is to help students fully understand and remember different concepts though the visual aspect. A common theme among Spanish-speaking countries is the disparity between the wealthy and poor classes and the pattern of social inequality. After the restoration of the Second Republic, Porfirio Díaz managed to defeat President Benito Juarez’s re-elected successor and became president. During Díaz’s time in office (1876-1911), known as the Porfiriato, there seemed to be an improvement in the country as well as the economy. The economy’s progress, however, was due to Díaz’s support of rich families through haciendas. This aid provoked a growing unhappiness among the working class and increasing social inequality (since the laborers on the ranches were basically slaves). While explaining how Mexico developed into this hierarchical system during that time, teachers could then present the following image to exhibit a typical day:

Figure 5.3. View of men and women in the park

View of men and women in park, possibly Mexico City.

At first glance, it just looks like men and women relaxing at the park. Zooming into the photo, though (see version on the OAAP site to zoom in), reveals men wearing sombreros and working outfits; not only that, but their juxtaposition with the upper class (women with their sun umbrellas and dresses and the men with their high-class suits and hats) makes this image interesting. This is a clear representation of the gap between the working class and the wealthy during the Porfiriato that partially influenced some revolutionary leaders during the Mexican Revolution.

By comparing and contrasting two (or more) images side by side, teachers can also demonstrate a state of change (be it through people, the landscape, a building, clothing styles, etc.) or continuity. With the following two pictures of Mexico (and both possibly being Mexico City), the students can clearly see differences as well as the similarities. With the town set up, both have some sort of central church, which may have been used for a meeting hall too, some open area for exercise/play, and residential living spaces. However, if you notice the architectural aspect of the houses and buildings, the rooftop view shows rectilinear cement houses, with rectangular holes for windows, which are built vertically. Bird’s eye view (sub-figure b) includes houses with slanted roofs, made of shingles, small closed doors and a few windows; additionally, they are closer to the ground in a horizontal fashion (most of the houses are 1 floor). These details demonstrate how the people in different parts of Mexico lived.

<db:title>Rooftop view of a Mexican neighborhood</db:title> (a)

<db:title>Bird's eye view of neighborhood with church building and small buildings with tiled and thatched rooftops</db:title> (b)

Figure 5.4. Comparison of Mexican neighborhoods

These rooftop views show the difference in housing in Mexico.

Figure 5.5. Daytime view of a Mexican street with rail car tracks, mules, gas streetlight fixtures, and vendors' stalls

This neighborhood photograph shows a street view that includes transportation (rail car and mules). It can be used on its own or compared to the above rooftop images, other images of urban life, or contrasted with images of rural life (such as Figure 2, Fabricantes de mecate, Mixtecas, Oaxaca).

Examples of photographs to include in class discussions:

Bird's eye view of neighborhood with church building and small buildings with tiled and thatched rooftops, in or near Mexico City. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356.http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21770.

Rooftop view of a Mexican neighborhood, possibly Mexico City. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356.http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21808.

Daytime view of a Mexican street with rail car tracks, mules, gas streetlight fixtures, and vendors' stalls. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356. http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21762.

Farm worker plowing field with two oxen, carriages and onlookers visible in background. Possibly near Mexico City. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356.http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21794.

Street level view with pedestrians, Zocalo, Mexico City. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356.http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21779.

View of railcar stopped along tree shaded road, passengers in formal dress, Mexico. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356.http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21828.

Street scene in Mexico featuring men and women walking on street and stair. Photographs. 1890. From Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Charlotte and Maximilian collection, 1846-1927, MS 356.http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21760.

For more pictures, visit the Our Americas Archive Partnership website and type in keywords (such as Mexico City, Mexico, images, etc.) in the search box.