# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
by Inside Mexico

This space is intended for the exchange of classroom activities, projects and ideas for the Day of the Dead, submitted by teachers. We sincerely thank all the teachers that have sent in their ideas!

_____________________________________

Every year, we assign our Spanish 2 students (with a partner) to create an ofrenda in dedication to either a family or friend who has passed on that they have in common or a deceased celebrity they both respected. With 14 Spanish 2 classes, we completely take over our Media Center! It is a big competition at our school-around 500 kids compete. Some years we are publicized in the local newspaper and one year the winners were portrayed for a month in a local art museum.

To avoid possible controversy with parents, we start from day 1 explaining the importance of knowing about the holiday for sociological purposes.
after also watching a video and explaining the history to it, I emphasize that although it is a holiday where there are a lot of skulls and skeletons and death is being poked fun at, it is equally a holiday about remembering loved ones passed. When I say that everyone everywhere deals with grief differently, and for them it is comforting to think that loved ones have come back for that short period of time, everyone seems to understand.
Audrey Irias
________________________________________

In our Spanish 1 class we did ofrendas over a person in our family, or a hero, or someone famous. We put their favorite food, their picture, what ever kind of music they liked, favorite color, and flowers, in a shoe box that we decorated.
Jordan Cathey

________________________________________
I have been celebrating Dia de los Muertos since becoming a Spanish teacher 5 years ago. Instead of fussing with making enough sugar skulls for all of my students to decorate, I started buying those big, chocolate Archway cookies and "drawing" the shape of a skull on them in white frosting. Students sit in groups of 3 or 4 with a "pallet" of colored frosting in the center, and they use the frosting to decorate them using tooth picks. I judge the cookies and take lots of pictures... I tell them that once everyone in their group has had a picture taken, they can eat their cookie. It has been fun 🙂
Sra. Patterson
________________________________________
Each year after learning about ofrendas and cleaning the gravestones, my students in Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 make skeletons out of 6 milk jugs (It's a McCall's pattern #15184, from about 1995. They paint them with fabric paint and we hang them from the ceiling. Unwanted skeletons get donated to the Elementary School's Halloween Party. It's a project that they all look forward to and remember!
Gretchen Callison

________________________________________
I teach Spanish I and Spanish II. I have steered away from making ofrendas, as I have heard horror stories about teachers who have been accused by parents. Many parents feel threatened when the child is asked to participate in making an altar for a deceased person. So... I find alternative ways to teach Day of the Dead. I usually spend an entire week on the topic. The first lesson is a basic introduction on the history of the holiday and a short video. The second day, the students complete a "Who, What, When, Where, Why" graphic organizer on Day of the Dead. The third day, we make sugar skulls. The fourth day, we paint the sugar skulls. The last day, we have a Day of the Dead celebration with the other Spanish I, II, and III classes. Each level of Spanish is responsible for bringing different items to the celebration.
Laura White To help Teachers educate parents about the Day of the Dead we have an excellent article: Common Misconceptions About the Day of the Dead

________________________________________
The celebration of the Days of the Dead is my favorite holiday in my high school classroom. My Spanish One students create decorated skulls using the plastic skulls that are available wherever Halloween items are sold, acrylic paints and silk flowers. My Spanish Two students create and decorate a tombstone using wood or cardboard, paint and silk flowers. They dedicate the tombstone to a deceased family member and they attach to it a short story that they have composed about the life of the deceased. The skulls and tombstones surround a large ofrenda in our classroom. On November 1, students are greeted by a trail of marigold petals (they are really
cut pieces of orange and yellow construction paper)on the floor starting at the door and leading up to the ofrenda. As the students leave, the "petals" do end up in the hallways (and even the student parking lot!). Everyone always knows when we are celebrating this wonderful holiday. And our custodians smile and are very understanding. I also read them a related story, and we eat pan de muertos baked by volunteers. We also make our own "sangria" using grape juice, punch and fruit slices.

NancyAnn Tomaszycki
Stoney Creek High School
Rochester Hills, Michigan
________________________________________

After studying the traditions of El Dia De Los Muertos and viewing a slideshow of skeleton figurines, Advanced Art students create their own calaveras figurines in honor of their ancestors, a hero, or loved one that has passed away. They study human proportions, draw skeletons, create a proportionate wire armature and then build up their calaveras with Sculpey clay. They mount them onto wooden boards and decorate with extra detail to create a setting. Students add the title by imprinting into metal tooling foil. They love this project! Then they decorate their display in the cafeteria or library with handmade papel picado banners.
Suzanne Limbert
________________________________________
I teach Day of the Dead to my 6th grader art classes. I focus on two aspects the holiday and the skeleton artwork. A 1/3 of our students are Hispanic so this is a great cultural lesson. We watch a movie on it. We discuss the holiday and the Mexican view of death. I show them artwork created for this holiday. Then I teach them how to draw a skeleton. I tell them that all good artists have to know how the human body is put together or they can't draw a human correctly. I discuss the skeleton studies of Leonardo Da Vinci. This makes it an art study for those who are uncomfortable with Halloween. We do very simple skeletons, I use the drawing basics from the book Rattle Your Bones (Scholastic). They each then draw 2 skeletons on black paper using white pencils and other color pencils, markers & crayons that color on dark paper. They have to show 2 skeletons doing something that they like to do, like skate boarding, sports, cheer leading, etc. They enjoy this lesson. I do it year round because I have 4 rotations of 6th graders each year.

Stacey Fisher
Lakeview Middle School
Winter Garden, FL
________________________________________
I have students create tombstones. Students will write their future story on them, how they want to be remembered. I can teach future tense, and glimpse at their expectations as well.
Julieta Goode

Related Articles

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Day of the Dead Teacher Suggested Activities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
by Inside Mexico This space is intended for the exchange of classroom activities, projects and ideas for the Day of the Dead, submitted by teachers. We sincerely thank all the teachers that have sent in their ideas!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tagetes erecta. Large, fully double flowers neatly displayed on strong stems. This beauty is blanketed in everlasting 4” flowers all season long even in the hottest conditions, and is a more compact height than most African marigolds. A che

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
prezi.com/rfolqy6m4eyb/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy "Perforated paper", literally "pecked paper" is a decorative craft made out of paper cut into beautiful and elaborate designs. It is...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's that time of year again Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween- Two of El Chupacabras favorite celebrations!!!

Come join us at our all of our locations for events!

Saturday October 31st, noon to 3 pm- dress up the kids and bring them trick or treating for the Hunger Goblin trick or treat on Phinney Ridge! We'll be handing out candy to the kids and slinging tequila to those kids over 21.

Sunday November 1- at the Phinney Center across the street there is a Day of the Dead Procession at 4 pm, it's free! It will be lead by Ce Atl Tonalli Aztec Dancers with activities to follow at the Phinney Center.

It's a Halloween Bash at the Chupacbara!!! We are hosting a super amazing party Saturday October 31st - Join us if you dare!

We have vinyl stylings of DJ Fred Eddison starting at 10 pm so get ready to shake those booties into the witching hour!

Come outfitted in your best (or worst) Hallows Eve attire and get happy hour all night past 6!

All Hallows Eve on South Lake Union. Come join us Saturday October 31st for spirits (tequila!) and tacos before you go haunting! We'll be serving all of your pre-party desires.

If you are decked out your Halloween Garb you'll get 1 dollar off margaritas, draft beers, and Happy Hour Food specials all day long.... and there's candy!

Day of the Dead vs. Halloween

They are two separate but both equally awesome holidays!

2,500 to 3,000 years to an Día de Muertos; Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl.
The Day of the Dead celebrates and remembers friends and family members who have died and help support their spiritual journey. The atmosphere is rather that of a picnic or celebration than mourning. Mexicans embrace death and celebrate the deceased for the time they lived.

Traditions connected with Day of the Dead include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves.

is linked to the Celtic festival Halloween Samhain. The "door" to the Other-world was believed to be opened so that the souls of the dead could enter this world. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year.

Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Many of our Halloween traditions have roots in these regions including dressing in costume, carving Jack-o'-lanterns to frighten away evil spirits, trick or treating and playing pranks.

Halloween and Day of the Dead are both influenced by Christian All Saints' Day, which honors saints and the recently departed. This holiday was created by the Roman Catholic Church to replace the Celtic festival of Samhain and eradicate those pesky pagan traditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's that time of year again Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween- Two of El Chupacabras favorite celebrations!!! Come join us at our all of our locations for events! Saturday October 31st, noon to 3 pm- dress up the kids and bring them trick or treating for the Hunger Goblin trick or treat on Phinney Ridge!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This Men's Day of the Dead Costume is perfect for your day of the dead extravaganza party!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A calaca ( Spanish pronunciation: , a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
by Inside Mexico

The Day of the Dead IS NOT the Mexican version of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C.

are not for worship but for Altars or ofrendas offering our love and remembering our departed family members.

Day of the Dead is not a sad ritual. It's a day of happiness because we will be remembering our loved ones. Although when in the graveyard, people assume an introspective attitude.

Day of the Dead is not a "strange" ritual. It is very similar to going to a grave and leaving flowers or stuffed animals, lighting a candle to remember the deceased.

The Day of the Dead is a moment to reflect upon one's life and the cycle of life and death.

Las Mañanitas is the traditional Mexican birthday song. It is so popular that it is now sung ...

Related Articles

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Common Misconceptions About The Day of the Dead Celebration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
by Inside Mexico The Day of the Dead IS NOT the Mexican version of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C. are not for worship but for Altars or ofrendas offering our love and remembering our departed family members.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These are a few particular foods that are traditionally associated with the Day of the Dead season in Mexico. These dishes are prepared and eaten at this time of year, and also placed on altars as offerings for the spirits who, it is believed, visit their loved ones on this one day of the year and consume the essence of the foods that are laid out for them. After the holiday has passed, the living ​dismantle the altar and may eat whatever foods remain, although these are said to have lost much of their flavor because the dead have already consumed the essential part of it. This holiday is a mixture of Catholic and native Mesoamerican beliefs and customs, and the foods that are associated with the holiday developed out of a combination of those different traditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Traditional Mexican Day of the Dead Dishes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the history and meaning of some of the foods that are associated with the Day of the Dead season in Mexico.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Day of the Holy Innocents (Día de los Santos Inocentes), on December 28, remembers the biblical story of King Herod's orders to execute male babies in Bethlehem in order to kill baby Jesus.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dia De Los Muertos: The History And Fashion Of Day Of The Dead

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sugar skull tops, sugar skull leggings, and sugar skull purses- where did the style come from? Dia de los Muertos- the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration- is now influencing fashion around the world. This article explores the history and tradition behind the Skull makeup.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These are a few particular foods that are traditionally associated with the Day of the Dead season in Mexico. These dishes are prepared and eaten at this time of year, and also placed on altars as offerings for the spirits who, it is believed, visit their loved ones on this one day of the year and consume the essence of the foods that are laid out for them. After the holiday has passed, the living ​dismantle the altar and may eat whatever foods remain, although these are said to have lost much of their flavor because the dead have already consumed the essential part of it. This holiday is a mixture of Catholic and native Mesoamerican beliefs and customs, and the foods that are associated with the holiday developed out of a combination of those different traditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Traditional Mexican Day of the Dead Dishes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the history and meaning of some of the foods that are associated with the Day of the Dead season in Mexico.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Day of the Dead? | National Geographic

# data[].attributes.body
grapes, bananas, hot chocolate, candied pumpkin, mole negro, tamales,

# data[].attributes.body
People wear long flowing dresses with bright colored lace. They also wear makeup and crowns of flower.

# data[].attributes.headline
The difference between Halloween  and Day of the Dead

# data[].attributes.subject
The difference between Halloween  and Day of the Dead

# data[].attributes.body
Day of the dead is about celebrating the dead while Halloween is about being afraid of the dead.

# data[].attributes.body
one of the misconceptions of dia de los muertos is that people dont honor the dead but honor their dead relatives. Another thing is that it is about love not fear.

# data[].attributes.body
Dia del los incentes is a day where Mexicans play jokes and pranks on each other

# data[].attributes.body
Sugar skull represents the departed souls. people write a name on their forehead to honor the return of that specif spirit. Sugar skulls also come in many bright colors.

# data[].attributes.body
craft made paper designs. it can be used as banners

# data[].attributes.body
it's a skeleton that is commonly used for decoration

# data[].attributes.body
Pan de muertos. it is for the people that died

# data[].attributes.body
The three-day fiesta is filled with marigolds, the flowers of the dead

# data[].attributes.body
Day of the Dead is about celebrating the people that passed away. It is in Mexico. Spain

# data[].attributes.body
Day of the Dead is celebrated on the 31st of October and continues to the 2nd of November