1. Día de los Muertos
Day of the Dead

2. Individual Task: List information that you feel you might already KNOW about this holiday.
Share in small groups then whole-class.

3. Check out these images. Where may have you seen them before
Check out these images! Where may have you seen them before? What do they make you WANT to know about this holiday?

4. Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQnUuq-TEE
After you watch the animated video, individually list at least one more thing you WANT to know about this holiday.
Share your moments with your small group and make 1 PREDICTION about what we will learn and 1 QUESTION about this holiday.

5. WHAT is it? WHEN is it? WHERE is it celebrated?
Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.
WHEN is it?
It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd).
WHERE is it celebrated?
It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the Mexican/American heritage exists.

6. Traditions- Altars
In the homes families arrange ofrendas or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the late afternoon special all night burning candles are lit - it is time to remember the departed - the old ones, their parents and grandparents.
Altars should include:
A picture of the one being  remembered
Items they were fond of
Something to snack on
Candles
Flowers
Gifts

7. Traditions: Food Pan de los Muertos
Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones”.
• 5 cups of all purpose flour
• 1/2 Cup of Sugar
• 1/2 Cup of Milk
• 1/2 Cup (1 stick) of Butter
• 1/2 Cup of Water
• 4 Eggs
• 2 packets of yeast
• 1tsp of Salt

8. Traditions: Flowers
During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life.
Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement for the returning spirits.
Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

9. Traditions: Papel Picado
Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead.
The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

10. Traditions: Skeletons
Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons.
Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal gowns marching down the aisles with their boney grooms.

11. Let’s see it in action… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgwyRaLG4qA
After the video, copy down at least 3 things you learned about Day of the Dead in the LEARNED section of the chart.

13. Altar Challenge A day vs. B day
The bulletin board in the back corner of the classroom has been split in half (one half for each Challenge class)
STEP 1: Your class must decide a deceased famous person to honor by building an altar and including other traditional items.

14. Altar Challenge A day vs. B day
STEP 2: Create small groups to be in charge of the following for decoration:
Pictures of the one being  remembered
Items they were fond of or remembered for (including quotes)
Skulls/Skeletons
Papel Picado
Flowers
Each group is responsible for organizing and bringing in supplies for their decoration group.

15. Altar Challenge A day vs. B day
STEP 3: Planning the Party and Voting
We need a group to be in charge of planning the party and making the food
Food/Drink/Plates/Cups/Napkins/Forks
We need a group to be in charge of spreading the word to teachers and assistants about the holiday and the voting. How can this be done creatively?
A Day Celebration: Tuesday 11/1
B Day Celebration: Wednesday 11/2