Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. The holiday honors deceased loved ones and is filled with colorful decorations, food, and festivities. Teaching students about Dia de Los Muertos can be a wonderful way to introduce them to the rich culture and history of Mexico.
Here are some activities to help teach students about this unique holiday:
Make an altar
Altars are an important part of the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. They are constructed to honor deceased loved ones and are often adorned with flowers, candles, and pictures of the person being remembered. Have your students work in groups or individually to create their own Dia de Los Muertos altar. You can provide materials such as construction paper, markers, and pictures or have students bring in items from home. Encourage students to be creative and explain their altars to the class.
Decorate sugar skulls
Sugar skulls are another symbol commonly associated with Dia de Los Muertos. They are made of sugar and decorated with colorful royal icing. Provide your students with small sugar skulls and have them decorate them with icing and other materials such as glitter or sequins. This can be a fun activity for all ages and can also serve as a tasty treat!
Read literature about Dia de Los Muertos
There are many books and articles that explain the history and traditions of Dia de Los Muertos. Reading literature about the holiday can be a great way to introduce students to the holiday and its significance. You can also lead discussions about the literature and encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas.
Make papel picado
Papel picado is a type of Mexican folk art that involves cutting decorative paper banners. You can teach your students about the history of papel picado and then have them create their own banners. Provide students with colored tissue paper and scissors and have them cut out designs that represent Dia de Los Muertos.
Cook traditional foods
Food is a big part of the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Traditional foods include pan de muerto (a type of sweet bread) and sugar skulls. You can involve your students in cooking activities and have them help you make these traditional foods.
Teaching students about Dia de Los Muertos can be a fun and engaging way to explore Mexican culture and history. These activities can help students learn about the significance of the holiday while also encouraging creativity and collaboration.
