John F. Kennedy Center
Comparing Cultural Holidays
A lesson examines the holidays, Día de los Muertos and Halloween. After an exciting clip from the movie Coco, class members review vocabulary and discuss what they know about Halloween. The conversation leads into the history of Día de...
Curated OER
Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) - A Cultural Holiday: Color Exploration of Warm and Cool Colors
Young artists examine pictures from and discuss the holiday Día de los Muertos. The symbolic skull showcases the use of warm and cool colors. Color exploration allows learners to use coordinating colors to create two paper...
Curated OER
Mexican Folk Art: Sugar Skulls
Scholars use their knowledge of color to create vibrant skulls for Día de los Muertos. A thoughtful discussion brings forth information about the special holiday. A review of cool colors and warm colors prepares learners for the creation...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "November 2: Día De Los Muertos" By Alberto Ríos
Scholars examine a colorful and detailed picture, then view an engaging video in preparation for reading the poem "November 2: Día De Los Muertos" by Alberto Ríos. Learners discuss their observations, feelings conveyed, and the...
Mexic-Arte Museum
Day of the Dead Educational Activity Guide
Looking for ideas to help celebrate The Day of the Dead? A 20-page packet includes a history of El Dia de los Muertos, notes on the many worldwide celebrations honoring the dead, and seven activities. A great way to bring this colorful...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration
Oral storytelling has been an important part of every culture. The time-honored practice uses stories as a conduit for a culture's values and customs from one generation to the next. Keep the tradition going with a family interview...
Vanderbilt University
Dia de Los Muertos
To honor El Dia de los Muertos, scholars work together to create Day of the Dead displays—paper sugar skulls and banners—that bring a festive and memorable flare to the classroom.
Edible Schoolyard
Pan de los Muertos
Accompany instruction and the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos with a loaf of Pan de los Muertos. Here, scholars measure ingredients precisely to create tasty bread, write a remembrance for someone who has passed away, and take part...
Curated OER
Dancing Skeleton Puppets
Students study the Mexican holiday known as The Day of the Dead. In this holiday lesson, students study bones, listen to Tony Johnston's, Day of the Dead and learn on about the holiday. They listen to two more books before making puppets...
Curated OER
Dramatic Day of the Dead Designs
Students research customs and activities associated with the Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Students then analyze their favorite aspects of the holiday and represent them in drawings with bilingual displays.
Curated OER
Hanal Pixan
Students research the culture of Mexico. In this Mexican culture lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about the culture of Mexico and the students take notes. Students write an essay about what they have learned.
Curated OER
Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls
Students research information about the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), a major celebration in Mexican culture, and compare it to similar holidays in other cultures. They discover various folk arts and festive traditions associated...
Curated OER
El Dia de Los Muertos
How does the Spanish culture view death? Gain the interest of your learners by showing them a skull (if you can get one). How is this Spanish celebration similar or different than Halloween? As an extension, you could dedicate a class...
Curated OER
Facts of Halloween
From Catholicism to candy corn, this presentation has it all when it comes to Halloween. The history of the holiday is discussed in these slides, as is the stories behind seasonal traditions (trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns). The...
Curated OER
Day of the Dead Lesson Plans
Day of the Dead lesson plans can provide a meaningful exploration of the holiday and its importance.
Curated OER
Mexico's Day of the Dead
Students explore global culture by researching a Mexican holiday. In this Day of the Dead instructional activity, students read assigned text which discusses the view of death in several different cultures including the U.S. and Mexico....
Curated OER
What is el Dia de los Muertos?
Students explore the Mexican celebration el Dia de los Muertos. In this Mexican celebration lesson, students discuss ways people in the US honor the dead. Students compare and contrast Mexican holidays and American holidays. Students...
Curated OER
Claycrete Calaveras - Dia de los Muertos
Students create skeletons to celebrate the Day of the Dead. In this visual arts lesson, students explore the importance of the Day of the Dead celebrations in the Mexican culture. They create skeletons and decorate them with paint,...
Curated OER
Magnificent Mexico
Students complete a variety of activities in a unit about the art, culture, and traditions of Mexico. They read books about the Day of the Dead, create a skeleton puppet, and create a traditional Mexican tissue paper cutting. Students...
Curated OER
Jose Posada - Calaveras Drawings - Line
Learners examine and discuss work of Mexican printmaker Jose Posada, and create drawings in the style of Posada that use current subject matter and symbols.
Curated OER
Soulfully Remembered
Students study about the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead to explore another culture's attitude towards death. They create collages reflecting the interests of and memories about someone who has passed away.
Curated OER
Mexican Holidays
Students celebrate Mexican holidays. In this global studies lesson, students collaborate to research the Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo. Students present their findings about the holidays and host classroom celebrations.
Curated OER
Marigold Sculptures
Students design paper sculpture. For this visual arts lesson, students follow the provided steps to create their own marigold sculptures from paper products and paint.
Curated OER
Day of the Dead
Students study the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead. They view a video and research questions on the Internet. They synthesize the information from the websites and the topic for their RAFT writing assignment. They write their...