a.l.o.e. i love: Dia de Los Muertos

Day of the Dead is less than four weeks away. So, I thought I'd dedicate this week to some Day of the Dead information, projects and activities, that may be especially interesting for all of you 3rd grade teachers studying/teaching Mexico.

Visit to a Mercado Artesanal/Craft Market in Cancun, Mexico this past August.
I wanted to take this whole display table back to the classroom!

Day of the Dead
Though celebrated in many cultures, Day of the Dead is a national holiday in Mexico. It is celebrated from October 31-November 2 and it's history dates back to the Aztecs (Christian beliefs brought by the Spanish were later incorporated). It is a special time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed on. The traditions of this holiday vary from town to town in Mexico and even from city to city in the US where Mexican communities celebrate.

Spanish Vocabulary
Dia de los Muertos- Day of the Dead. For more info go here.
altares- altars set up to commemorate the dead
ofrendas- offerings (normally food and objects for the deceased). For more info go here.
calaveras- skulls (these can be made from a variety of materials including sugar)
cempasuchil- marigolds
catrina- female skeleton of an upper class made popular by Jose Guadalupe Posada who was inspired by Diego Rivera's Sueno de Una Tarde Dominical en la Almeda Central
antepasados- ancestors
calacas- skeletons