Surely, you have heard something about this story. And hopefully because of you, your students have as well. Because if it’s not taking place in our own borders or in the middle east, the traditional media doesn’t give much attention. But this issue is so important, we must not let it go unnoticed.
“The 43 Mexican students who disappeared in southern Mexico in September were abducted by police on order of a local mayor, and are believed to have been turned over to a gang that killed them and burned their bodies before throwing some remains in a river.”
There are plenty of ways to teach this horrific event in your classrooms. The best source is actually from social media, such as twitter and instagram, were you are going to find resounding and powerful images.
This image reminds us, this is not the first such story of its kind in Mexico, most notably the massacre of Tlatlelolco of 1968. (Read “No se Olvida“)
Twitter Hashtags:
#YaMeCanse The people “are tired” of this happening and tired of the government’s role
##AccionGlobalporAyotzinapa People around the world are taking notice
#LuzParaMexico Peaceful demonstrations show their support for the victims
#TodosSomosAyotzinapa This isn’t just 43 students, this could be anyone.
You can look at the images posted on twitter, or use the same hashtags on instagram. Encourage your students to find out what people are saying on social media.
Find news articles and discuss in class:
11 Numbers To Help You Understand The Violence Rocking Mexico, which includes chilling numbers such as “The number of people reported missing or disappeared from the start of Peña Nieto’s administration in late 2012 until May 2014,” which is 8,000 or “The number of migrants estimated to have been killed in the past six years due to organized crime while crossing Mexico on their way to the United States.” which is at 47,000.
Check out youtube and watch demonstrations, such as this one. in Sonora.
Will your students participants? While today, on November 11th, people lit candles to show their support, another date has been set for a future protest/show of solidarity. November 20th, which is the day of the Mexican Revolution (1910), people are instructed to wear all black. (#TodosVestidosdeNegros)
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor” – Desmond Tutu
SpanishPlans.org 
Hello, I too have been following this story in the news, but it had not occurred to me to use it in the classroom. I love your suggestion to combine current events and social media with a study of the spanish language. I think students will enjoy learning about and taking a stance on issues such as this one. Furthermore, studying stories like this one gives students to interact with an authentic use of the spanish language instead of the often contrived samples from textbooks. Thank you for posting so many excellent resources and sharing your ideas!
I have had a few heritage students ask me about this, after their parents told them. One even said her Mother was crying. My main problem is, how do I address this in a junior high setting with only 12-14 year olds.
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