Should you teach about Day of the Dead in heritage Spanish class? With all the topics and deep cultural significance, we think so! Day of the Dead offers a unique opportunity to explore cultural identity, learn about history, and converse about community values all while expanding student’s vocabulary in the target language.
Not to mention…there is so much to learn regarding the symbolism of the holiday, with its altars and the components that comprise and complete an altar. Oftentimes, Day of the Dead gets lumped in with Halloween due to a few key similarities (costumes, skeletons, time of year and special treats). So, there is a distinct need for emphasizing the differences between Day of the Dead and Halloween.
Day of the Dead images and symbols have been gaining popularity in the United States, and we want to make sure that our students understand the significance of the symbols and decor. The history of the holiday, the history of the individual families celebrating their loved ones and (re)connecting with them make this an impactful time of year. This holiday is so much more than just a day to dress up in a costume and get candies!
A Celebration of Life and Death
One of the most compelling aspects of Día de los Muertos is its perspective on death. Unlike many cultures that view death with sadness and perceive death solely as a loss, Día de los Muertos celebrates the lives of those who have passed. This colorful Mexican holiday offers a unique perspective on what it means to live and the importance of reverence and remembrance.
Families create altars, or ofrendas, adorned with photos, favorite foods, and mementos of the deceased. This practice encourages students to reflect on their own family histories and the legacies of their ancestors, fostering a sense of connection and continuity. There is strength in knowing who you are based on those that came before you. One gains a stronger sense of self when they know and connect to their history through the lens of their greater family, more than simply knowing their ethnicity.
When teaching a heritage Spanish class, you might find that some of your students indeed have ofrendas set up in their homes. You may also find that some students (who don’t have Mexican origins) aren’t too familiar with these traditions. This is why learning about Day of the Dead has a place in heritage Spanish class – it’s a cultural exchange.
Rich Cultural Traditions
The Day of the Dead is steeped in rich traditions that vary across regions. In the Linaje and Ascendencia curriculums we love to incorporate culture while simultaneously developing language skills. From the intricate sugar skulls to the colorful papel picado (perforated paper), each element has a story and significance. In the classroom, students can engage in hands-on activities, such as building ofrendas, crafting their own sugar skulls or creating papel picado, allowing them to connect creatively with the culture.
Language and Storytelling
Language is a vital part of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Students can learn specific vocabulary related to the holiday, such as “calavera” (skull) and “ofrenda” (offering).
Additionally, storytelling plays a crucial role. Students can share stories about their own loved ones, fostering a deeper understanding of personal narratives and cultural heritage. This practice not only enhances language skills, but also builds empathy and respect for diverse experiences.
Strengthening the communal connection of the collective whole is always such an important piece to the puzzle for creating the safe spaces students required to get student buy-in and increase participation. You grow where you are known, and you can only thrive where you belong. Connecting with Día de los Muertos academically provides the fertile soil for students to bond with their peers, and their families!
Community and Family Bonds
Día de los Muertos emphasizes the importance of family and community. Celebrations often involve gatherings where families come together to remember and honor those who have passed. In a Heritage Spanish class, discussions around these themes can lead to meaningful conversations about students’ own family traditions and the values they hold dear. This sense of community can strengthen bonds among classmates and create a supportive learning environment.
Resources for Teaching Day of the Dead
Here are some ready-to-go resources for teaching Día de lo muertos…
La Catrina Color-by-number
La Catrina is an important cultural piece to Día de muertos. Make sure your students know what she symbolizes and the message Posada conveyed in the process of creating her.
Students will read the biography, search for text evidence (underline and circle), complete questions, and color a worksheet according to their answers about the reading.
Easily differentiate for your students with the two different text levels included.
This was a challenge for my students, but in a good way! The pace of the assignment worked very well and helped my students understand the reading thoroughly.
— Kathryn P.
Use esta actividad con mis estudiantes de AP, estuvo facil para algunos, pero para otros estuvo perfecta debido a los diferentes niveles en los que estan. A mi me encanto, y a ellos les gusto la historia y el proceso de colorear. Gracias!
— Alondra G.
José Guadalupe Posada Color-by-number
José Guadalupe Posada Color-by-number Biography Reading Worksheet in Spanish. A Colorea por número activity perfect for celebrating Day of the Dead. This lesson pairs perfectly with the color-by-number biography reading about La Catrina. Make sure your students know what La Catrina symbolizes and the message Posada was conveying when he created her.
This was a great activity for my heritage learners. They were engaged and challenged. – Kristine W.
Ofrendas por una causa
Ofrendas por una causa is a two-week Day of the Dead social justice unit for advanced Spanish class or heritage Spanish class. Students work in groups to build an altar and create a slideshow presentation to honor Latino lives lost to social justice issues.
Students will take notes, research, collaborate with their peers, create a slideshow presentation, build an altar in the classroom and take an assessment.
I cannot speak highly enough of this assignment. I used this with my Spanish IV students (heritage AND non-native speakers) and it was such an awesome thing to be part of (as teacher!). My students have been talking about the assignment since we did it and asked “if we can do more stuff like this again soon.” I love how much they loved taking ownership of and finding personal connection to these social justice causes- I am convinced “the kids are alright” after this one!! –Libby H.
>Check out this blog post to see more details about this unit.<<
Componentes de una ofrenda
Componentes de una ofrenda includes two days of lessons in Spanish to learn about the components of an altar for Día de los Muertos.
Learning objectives for students:
- Take notes on the components of an altar.
- Identify the symbolism of the elements included on an altar.
- Label the items on a Day of the Dead altar in Spanish.
- Demonstrate understanding of the symbolism of each of the items included on a Day of the Dead ofrenda.
I used this in my class to talk and introduce Altares for Día de los Muertos. It was a great introduction for the topic, as students later created their own Altares, with all of the elements mentioned in the reading. – Chris S.
Build an Altar
Students build a Day of the Dead altar on a vertical worksheet or horizontal worksheet. This assignment is in Spanish. Display these beautiful creations around your classroom or in the hallway.
⭐️ Students create a paper (or digital) altar for a loved one or celebrity who has passed away.
⭐️ Students color the worksheet and paste a photo or draw a picture of the person.
⭐️ Students define Day of the Dead
⭐️ Students label the items on the altar.
⭐ ️Students write two to three sentences about the life of the person they chose.
⭐️ Students refer to a PDF Infographic reference.
Wonderful alternative to building ofrendas. We were able to put these up in the room and enjoy them. -Kristine W.
My students love this activity for Dia de Muertos. This activity was so fun and engaging. I bought both versions the Spanish and the English. Looks great on the bulletin board! – Delores T.
This lesson is also available separately in a digital slideshow version (Google Slides).
Monarch Butterflies Bulletin Board
A two-day lesson for heritage speakers that includes an icebreaker, two readings, and bulletin board materials about Monarch Butterflies and Frida Kahlo.
This is a great bulletin board to add to your classroom for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Students will:
- read about the symbolism of mariposas monarcas and why they represent the Latinx community.
- read about Frida Kahlo’s history with polio and how she overcame her challenges with a positive mindset.
- write about themselves on the butterflies according to four different prompts.
- share their butterflies with their peers and their teacher.
I love the combination of monarcas and Frida Kahlo in this unit. So culturally-focused! I’m thankful for this unique activity to make a beautiful classroom display around Día de Muertos. – Shanna C.
This was a great activity to add to my art unit! I liked the connection between Frida Kahlo and the culture behind monarch butterflies. My students were very engaged completing their own butterflies! – Nicole S.
Free Download- Calavera Coloring Worksheet
This is a simple coloring worksheet you can use as an activity for fast-finishers.
Free Download: calavera coloring worksheet
Make a beautiful bulletin board with the calaveras your students color.
Day of the Dead WebQuest in English
If you teach a Spanish 1 class, this is an awesome cultural activity in English that has students researching Day of the Dead on their own. They are engaged and busy the whole hour!
This internet research activity is perfect for sub plans or having time in class yourself to get caught up on grading! Students can work independently or in groups, on paper or on Google Slides… whatever works best for your classroom environment!
Calaveras Descriptions
This assignment is great for beginner students learning how to talk about physical descriptions in Spanish. The theme for this worksheet is Day of the Dead but you can use it any time of the year. This one works well for Spanish 1 (novices).
Day of the Dead Bundle of Spanish Resources Día de muertos recursos
Bundle up a bunch of these resources in order to save money.
Celebrating the Day of the Dead in Heritage Spanish classes is more than just a lesson in culture; it’s an opportunity for personal growth and connection. By exploring this holiday, students gain insight into the rich tapestry of Mexican traditions, expand their vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of family and community. Embracing Día de los Muertos not only enriches the curriculum but also fosters a greater appreciation for the diverse cultures that shape our world.
Oh and here’s a spooky legend from Spain you might want to use with your class during the month of October…
Leyenda escalofriante: el pueblo abandonado de Ochate Advanced Spanish
This reading is based on recorded events regarding the abandoned town of Ochate located in the Basque region of Spain. This spooky story is perfect for an advanced Spanish class like heritage Spanish, Spanish 4, or Spanish 5.
Join us in Heritage Spanish Club for access to the Ascendencia or Linaje curriculum.
Pin for later!
