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I would like for teachers and students to learn more about why this tradition came about and what it truly means to those who celebrate it. El Día de Los Muertos is not just about skeletons, skulls, food, and altars, the meaning is much deeper than that. Many did not really know much about this celebration until the Pixar movie Coco came out. Although it is a great movie and made many tune into this festival, so much is not covered in the movie itself. If I had more time to spend on creating my DYO MAS lesson, I would do my best to include so much more. I would like to do more research on local museums to go on a field trip or just suggest to the students, books, local events and speakers to include in my plan. -- A. Castillo
Student Learning Goals and Objectives:
During this cycle, students will be able to:
Explore the history, culture, tradition, and create art.
Log in and learn, when and why this celebration started and has continued.
Learn from those who celebrate and listen to what this celebration means to them.
Watch and create your own traditional decoration commonly used during this celebration.
Read assigned book and answer attached worksheet, later to discuss everyone's thoughts.
Color, cut, and paste your own flower arrangements.
Write in journals about your likes and favorites.
Watch Disney movie Coco and discuss as a class everyone's favorite part and explain why.
Ask your parents, grandparents, family, friends and/or neighbors for a picture of a special someone to add to our classroom Altar. Create a note explaining who they are and why they are special to you. Family will be able to view our masterpiece during Family Night.
Foundational Texts
Foundational Texts
The following texts will be read and watched during this cycle to guide the students to achieve knowledge of our subject and meet the goals mentioned above:
Bob Barner, "The Day of the Dead / El Día De Los Muertos"
Roseanne Greenfield Thong, "Día De Los Muertos"
Login and Read article posted in National Geographic for Kids Day of the Dead (nationalgeographic.com)
Watch Pixar movie Coco
Study Questions
Study Questions
Study questions are used for discussion. These questions are provided to students before and after reading, and they are encouraged to answer at least one question prior to the class for the day. Providing questions allows students to reflect on the connections between the foundational texts and their own lives and experiences while also providing an opportunity to practice how to prepare for an academic discussion or social sharing around any similar issue they may face.
Questions can be found here Study Questions - Google Docs
Reflective Journal Prompts
Reflective Journal Prompts
During this cycle we will write two entires in our journals, one at the beginning and one towards the end. In these journals we will reflect and ask ourselves what life and death means to each of us. Each of us will have the chance to write about our own experiences and beliefs.
Reflection Journal Prompts can be found here. Reflection Journals - Google Docs
End-of-Cycle Project
End-of-Cycle Project
During this cycle we are learning about El Dia de Los Muertos / The Day of the Dead. We will be creating four different projects tied into our subject.
The first project, each student will draw an image representing what they believe an altar may look like and add description on what they have added and who is represented in their drawing.
The second project, we will be creating Papel Picado to add and get ready for our final project. Each student will get a chance to pick their own colors of paper and design for their section of Papel Picado Banner. Papel Picado for kids - Arts & Crafts - YouTube
The third project, we will create will also be in preparation for our final project. Each student will receive a skull and have the chance to paint their skull however they would like. The skull will be added to the altar we will be creating.
For our final project, each student will ask their parents/gaurdians to help them find a picture of a loved one or a pet they will like to add to our classroom altar. Each student will bring a description of who they brought and why they are important to them. Each student will also need to be ready to show their picture and explain it to the entire class. Students will also need to bring a treat, food dish, or favorite item of the person or pet they are presenting.
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