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Our homeschool journey has always been about more than just checking off subjects. It is about helping my children see themselves in the world and understanding the deep roots they come from. As a Mexican American mom, I am constantly looking for ways to weave our heritage into our daily lessons, especially in fields where our faces have not always been the most visible.
Recently, our family dived into a study centered on the movie A Million Miles Away. The film tells the incredible story of Jose Hernandez, a Mexican American farmworker who navigated a long, difficult path to become a NASA astronaut. Watching his journey was a powerful reminder for all of us that our dreams do not exist in spite of our heritage, but often because of the strength we draw from it.
For our family, this was a beautiful way to focus on Latino representation in STEM. If you would like to explore this story with your own children, here is the simple plan we followed to turn this film into a meaningful lesson:
For Language Arts and Character Building, we began by watching the film together. It naturally opens up conversations about the migrant experience and the sacrifices families make for one another. After the movie, you can talk about the five ingredients for success that Jose’s father shared with him. Asking your children which ingredient they think is the most important for their own goals is a wonderful way to practice critical thinking and reflection.
In Geography and Social Studies, we used a map to trace Jose’s path from the fields of California and Michoacán to the stars. This is a great way to visualize the physical reality of the migrant farmworker circuit. It connects the land to the legacy of the people who work it and helps children understand the movement of families across borders.
For History and Research, we looked beyond the film to find other Latin pioneers in space and science. We spent time researching Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space, and France Córdova, a brilliant astrophysicist. I want my children to know that the path to discovery has always been walked by people who look like them. This moves the history from something abstract to something that feels possible.
During our Science and STEM time, we brought the concepts to life with hands-on projects. You might spend an evening stargazing with a telescope or visiting a local space center. For Creative Writing and Art, we ended the study with a reflection on the million mile dream. Have your children write or draw about a big goal they have and the small, steady steps they can take to get there. It helps them see that, just like Jose, their own stories are worth telling.
As you finish your study, it is a good idea to review what you covered. We like to have discussions so I can hear what everyone has learned and we can reflect together on what worked or what did not. Try to show how the topic relates to real life and current events, as this helps learners truly connect to what they are studying. Do not forget to snap lots of photos along the way too. We like to print photos of our homeschool days using our Canon Ivy mini printer and use them to make an entry in our homeschool notebooks at the end of each unit.
Lastly, make sure to document the journey for future reference. I cannot tell you how many times someone has asked for book titles or resources and if I did not write them down, I would forget. You can use my free unit planner here to keep records of your resources and activities so you have them whenever you need them.
This study reminded us that representation matters every single day of the year. When we see our own stories reflected in history and science, it gives us a sense of belonging that no textbook can replace. I hope this provides you with a clear roadmap and the confidence to create your own unit studies without fear.