EL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
I decided to organize, share resources and ideas as we explore and learn about Día de los Muertos. This post is still a work in progress, but it may help:) Day of the Dead Resources in Spanish class. After years of teaching, I have accumulated many activities, videos and/or ideas about the Day of the Dead to engage students and ZOOM into the culture. I love to share a little bit of my beautiful, rich culture, and as we know, culture is extremely important in a language class. As a teacher, my objective is for students to become global citizens and lifelong learners. In my opinion, students love learning about traditions, customs and let´s not forget that they must be able to make connections and cultural comparisons, starting with level one. Did you know? The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday whose complex history is intertwined with the history of Mexico and Mexican culture. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, during which the graves of loved ones are decorated, special foods like mole and pan de muerto are made, ofrendas are built to honor the dead, and special festivals and processions are held. Pre-Activity ¿Qué es Día de los Muertos? Students can do a quick write or brainstorm in Spanish for upper levels and English for Spanish one or two. Piensa y contesta 1. ¿Qué sabes sobre el “Día de los Muertos”? 2. ¿Cómo conmemoran o recuerdan ustedes a los difuntos o muertos en su cultura? ¿Qué es Día de los Muertos?
Give students about ten minutes to write and share their opinion with the class. Then, watch the following video together and ask students to take notes of their impression of Día de los Muertos. Comprehension and Reflection Activities 1)After Watching-response: Write at least a paragraph-5 sentences. 1. How did you feel when watching the video? 2. Did it make you sad? Happy? 3. What do you think the holiday is really about? Did your initial thoughts change at all? 4. How would you describe Day of the Dead after watching the short film? Día de los Muertos
2) Reflect
Watch some of the following videos and answer all questions using complete sentences in English. 1. What is an altar and for whom is it made? Why is it created? What is generally included? 2. What do families do during cemetery visits? 3. What kinds of flowers are popular? Why? 4. What is the Mexican perspective of death? 3) Cultural comparison Create a Venn Diagram in small groups or individually to compare and contraste El Día de los Muertos with Halloween. Then, another Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting El Día de los Muertos with Memorial Day. Here are some of my favorites videos: Global Wonders - El Día de los Muertos
Day of the Dead Celebration (Celebración Día de los Muertos)
Oaxaca: The day of the Dead
Música
Las Calaveras Salen de Su Tumba Chumbala Cachumbala - Canciones Infantiles de Halloween
La Santa Cecilia - Calaverita
Libro
A Billingual Boo: Escucha a Rosita y Conchita
MEXICO: Celebración del Día de Muertos, Una Tradición Milenaria
Coco - Memorable Moments
Vocabulary: Components of an Ofrenda
VOCABULARY: Tienen que copiar el vocabulario en su cuaderno Alfenique: the sugar paste used to make sugar skulls Altar: altar; shrine Calacas: handmade skeleton figurines. Colloquial Mexican Spanish term for “skeleton.” Calaveras de azúcar: n. sugar skulls Calaveras: skulls Catrinas: handmade, well-dressed, female skeleton figurines Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead. Hispanic holiday celebrated at the beginning of November to honor the souls of the dead. Flores: flowers Zempasúchil: marigold- Flower that represents the dead in Mexico Ofrenda: offering Nuestra señora de Guadalupe: Mexican Virgin Mary as she appeared in Guadalupe, Mexico. Pan de Muerto: bread of the dead Papel Pegado: papier-mâché Papel Picado: cut paper Santo: saint Tilma: cloak made of cactus cloth Mole: chocolate and chile souce Tamales: meat and chile or raisins inside of corn meal wrapped in a corn husk
Upper levels or Heritage learners -Activity
What is Political Satire? According to wikipidia satire is the use of clever or humorous text, pictures, or performance to criticize aspects of society. It often focuses on leaders and government in order to point out shortcomings or hypocrisy. This artistic and literary device is an important and effective tool for the public to show their disapproval or outright anger over injustices.
A calavera poem is a form of satire. It is an imaginary obituary in which someone or something still living is poked fun at. They were very popular during the Mexican Revolution as a way to criticize the government. Calaveras deal with death in a humorous manner. (mexic-artemuseum.org)
Here is an example of one: El perro del vecino me ha perseguido a la casa, Todos los días del otoño. Yo corro lejos cuando estoy solo, Para que él no me muerda el trasero. Adelante pues perrito y rechina tus dientes, Pero algún día tú vas a ser enterrado abajo The neighbor’s dog has chased me home, Every day this Autumn. I run away when I’m all-alone, So it doesn’t bite my bottom. Go ahead little dog and gnash your teeth, But some day you will be buried beneath.
La Catrina por Posada
José Guadalupe Posada worked as an illustrator for various newspapers during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Drawing skeletal imagery from Day of the Dead, he created powerful calavera representations of people rich and poor, famous and infamous, young and old. He also used his art to make fun of many politicians. Posada’s calaveras became widely popular across Mexico.( mexic-artemuseum.org) Students can write their own calavera poem:) Now it’s their turn!
The Day of the Dead and Mexican Art
Fun Hands On Activities-Making Connections
Manualidades:
Marigolds-La Flor de Cempasúchil Flores represent the brief life of man, and are thus used to decorate altars and graves. Yellow marigolds, known as “the flower of the dead,” are the traditional flower used during Dia de los Muertos celebrations.
1) Make paper flower- Las flores
Create marigolds from tissue paper and pipe cleaners to decorate the altar. Zempasúchil marigold- Flower that represents the dead in Mexico. Flores Supplies: - Green pipe cleaners - Yellow and orange tissue paper - Scissors Procedure: 1. Layer 4 or 5 sheets of tissue paper, alternating colors. 2. Cut tissue paper in to a square, approx. 5 x 5”. 3. Fold the paper in an accordion fold. 4. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center and twist. 5. Separate the tissue and fluff up to create the petals of your marigold. 6. Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around the base of the flower to hold the petals together. The other end will be the stem.
2) Make papel picado
Papel picado is a decorative craft made out of paper cut into beautiful and elaborate designs. It is considered a Mexican folk art. The designs are commonly cut from coloured tissue paper using a guide or template and small chisels. Papel picado can also be made by folding tissue paper and using small, sharp scissors. Common themes include birds, floral designs, and skeletons. In Mexico, papel picado is especially incorporated into altars during the Day of the Dead.
Papel Picado
Supplies: - Construction paper - Scissors - Glue - Colorful tissue paper (approx. 8.5” x 11”) - String Procedure: 1. Roll the construction paper into a tube, and secure with glue. 2. Fold paper in half as many times as desired. 3. Make decorative cuts in the paper. 4. Unfold and flatten. 5. Glue the papercuts to the construction paper tubes. 6. Once dry, thread the string through the paper tubes to either create a banner or individual hanging paper cuts. 7. Pin to the classroom altar or hang around the classroom. Contesta What are the differences between Día de los Muertos and Halloween? Let's identify the important aspects of El Día de los Muertos in comparison to Halloween. This Infografia del Día de los Muertos will help. ¿Cuál celebras?
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Hola, yo soy Mirna Smith, profesora de español en LCHS con énfasis en UbD y nuevas tecnologías aplicadas a la enseñanza. ¡Bienvenido a mi blog! Ayuda
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