Presbyterian Christian School fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade Spanish students recently completed an immersive cultural unit centered on the country of Guatemala. Throughout the study, students explored the traditions, history, and culture of the Central American nation, with a special focus on one of Guatemala’s most well-known celebrations: el festival de los barriletes gigantes (the Giant Kite Festival).

Traditionally celebrated in November alongside All Saints’ Day, the Giant Kite Festival is known for its enormous handcrafted kites. Families and communities in Guatemala often spend months designing and constructing the kites, which feature detailed artwork and symbolic messages that reflect cultural heritage and spiritual meaning.

Inspired by this tradition, PCS students created kites of their own as part of the unit. Adding a special PCS connection, each student designed a kite centered on their faith and selected a meaningful Bible verse to include in the design.

The project gave students the opportunity to apply what they learned about Guatemalan culture through a hands-on activity while also incorporating personal creativity and faith. In addition to learning about another country’s traditions, students practiced research, design, and presentation skills throughout the project.

The Guatemala Kite Project showcased the creativity and thoughtfulness of PCS students while demonstrating how cultural studies can create meaningful and engaging learning experiences across the classroom.