Introduction

I am fortunate, as I have mentioned before, to work at a school that allows me to craft courses that prioritize depth over breadth and as such had an opportunity to focus an entire semester on the history of Cuba. These were some of the activities that I used as openers for the course. 

Activity 1: 

Anticipation Quiz 

Its often entertaining to open a unit or a course with a quiz. Its tends to perk up students' attention, even when you tell them that it is not going to be graded. This quiz is comprised a a few multiple choice questions about Cuba. I give it at the beginning and at the end of the class to show students how much they have learned.

Activity 2: 

Big paper activity 

Students should get into groups of 3 around a large poster board. At the center of each board put the statement "A radical leader is the most important factor in a successful revolution". Explain to students that they will be having a silent written conversation about the statement above. Students should express whether or not they agree with the statement and explain why. Students should also 

Activity 3: 

Hatuey and discussion of leadership 

Students will read William Loren Katz's essay on Hatuey. They can answer the questions individually or you can use them as part of a class discussion. The end of the story is powerful and worth a conversation. Hatuey is often considered the first revolutionary in of Cuba. It important to begin emphasizing what qualities students identify in Hatuey as being a leader, good or bad. In the next units students will be returning to this question as they look at the works of Jose Marti and then the actions of Fidel Castro. 

Questions:

1. Why do you think Katz calls the Europeans “invaders” and not colonists?

2. What did governor Ovando fear that he reported back to Spain? Provide evidence to support your answer.

3. What was Hatuey fighting against? How do you know?

4. What is the impression that you are left with after reading Las Casas’s story about Hatuey’s execution?

5. Why do you think Hatuey is honored as a national hero in Cuba? Please provide evidence and examples to support your answer.

Anticipation Quiz: Cuba

What you don’t know now plan to know by the end of the semester!

Directions: Making knowledgeable or educated guess select the correct answer for each question. You will be giving your paper to another student to grade and return to you.

1. How many miles apart are Cuba and the southern tip of Florida?

a. 600         c. 4200

b. 90           d. 30

2. What do Cubans call their island due to its form?

a. El Abrelatas (The Can Opener)

b. El Cocodrilo (The Crocodile)

c. La Cinta (The Ribbon)

d. El Cinturon (The Belt)

3. The capital of Cuba is?

a. Santa Clara         c. Guantanamo

b. Santiago              d. Havana

4. In 1492 Cuba was landed by Christopher Columbus and claimed for?

a. France                 c. Spain

b. Portugal              d. Britain

5. When Columbus first saw Cuba, where did he think he was?

a. America               c. China

b. India                    d. Africa  

6. Historically Cuba has been one of the largest producers of what?

a. Sugar                   c. Rum

b. Oil                        d. Bananas

7. Cuba's most popular sport is?

a. Soccer                 c. Cricket

b. Baseball             d. Football

8. Although Che Guevara participated in the Cuban revolution, he was not born on the island. What nationality and profession was Che?

a. An Argentinian doctor

b. A Bolivian revolutionary

c. A Cuban exile

d. A Spanish clergyman

9. What language is spoken in Cuba?

a. Spanish               c. Portuguese

b. English               d. French

10. What was Fidel Castro’s profession before he become involved in politics?

a. Businessman

b. Dentist

c. Lawyer

d. Major league baseball player

11. Which of the following was not one the alleged assassination scheme to kill Fidel Castro?

a. Slipping Castro an exploding cigar

b. Infecting his scuba diving suit with a fungus

c. Training dolphins to attack him while swimming

d. Putting bacterial poisons in his tea and coffee

12. Castro has survived how many assassination attempts?

a. Around 6            c. Around 160

b. Around 16          d. Around 600

13. How long did it take the United States to recognize the new Cuban government after Castro and his allies took Havana in January 1959?

a. Two days

b. Two months

c. Two years 

d. The US never recognized the Castro government

14. The US Naval Bas on Cuba is where?

a. Varadero          c. Havana

b. Santa Clara      d. Guantanamo Bay

15. The collapse of the Soviet economy in 1989 meant Cuba's total trade reduced by?

a. 80%                  c. 20%

b. 40%                  d. nothing