Day of the Dead

As Halloween approaches, I continue to think of ways to keep with the spirit of the season. One idea is to do social studies project on the Day of the Dead (el día de los muertos), a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st (honoring deceased children) and 2nd (honoring deceased adults). Although towns all over Mexico commemorate the holiday differently, there are similarities in the events that each location holds. There are also religious overtones woven into the traditions.

• Research the holiday and create a brochure about the traditions of the day.
• Make a map of Mexico. Flag certain cities and explain how they commemorate el día de los muertos.
• Make your own sugar skulls or skull mask.
• Bake el pan do los muertos, a sweet bread baked in the shape of bones.
• Research and make your own catrina, a humorous figure of an upper class woman depicted as a skeleton. They are associated with the Day of the Dead.

Use this as an opportunity to learn a little about a different culture.

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