History And Culture Lesson Plan - Dia De Los Muertos: Celebrating And Remembering (Page 2 of 6) in pdf

History And Culture Lesson Plan - Dia De Los Muertos: Celebrating And Remembering Page 2

Many Latino families who have arrived in the United States have also brought these customs

with them, and in many towns and cities with Latino communities, there are annual Dia de

los Muertos celebrations.

Vocabulary:

calaveras: colorful sculptures of skulls used during Dia de los Muertos. These are sometimes

made from sugar or from papier-mache.

Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead. A celebration held in Latino communities and

throughout Latin American on November 1 and 2.

ofrenda(s): an offering, often in the form of an altar, used to honor ancestors and others

during Dia de los Muertos.

pan de muerto: special rolls made in the shape of skulls.

Materials:



Computer with internet access and a printer



Colors, colored pencils, or paints



Arts and crafts materials, including glue, glitter, colored cardstock or construction

paper



Props from Dia de los Muertos kits (sugar skulls)

Procedure

1. Use the computer to access the internet and search for images related to Dia de los Muertos,

such as ofrendas, pan de muerto, and calaveras. Print these out and ask students to view

them. Discuss with students the brief history and origins of Dia de los Muertos, and some of

the traditions that is associated with this holiday. Also, describe to students where this

celebration is held, both in other countries in Latin America as well as within Latino

communities in the United States.

2. Ask students: What is Latin America, and where is it? Is it north or south of the United

States? What languages are spoken there? Do you know anyone that is of Latino descent or

who comes from Latin America?

3. Make the distinction between Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. Ask students on which day

of the calendar this holiday occurs. Also ask them this question: Is Dia de los Muertos close

to, or on, another holiday that also includes imagery such as skulls and skeletons?

4. Ask students to pass around the props from the Dia de los Muertos kits, and ask them to

identify colors and materials. Prompt them by asking the following: What are these items

History And Culture Lesson Plan - Dia De Los Muertos: Celebrating And Remembering Page 2