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October is such a fun month for a variety of reasons. First, some are preparing for Halloween. This often means getting dressed in fun costumes and going trick-or-treating. Second, many are enjoying spooky aspects, such as decorations and haunted houses. Third, many are enjoying Hispanic Heritage Month. Oftentimes, this means preparing to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos: Day of the Dead. Even if students do not celebrate this holiday, it is so important for everyone to learn about it. By doing so, students will be able to honor and respect the beliefs of different cultures. When this happens, schools and communities are filled with caring, kind individuals.
What is Dia de Los Muertos?
Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to celebrate and remember loved ones who passed away. During the festivities, families visit the gravesite to pull weeds and decorate tombstones. Additionally, families decorate their houses and make tons of food. To celebrate, there are parties, dances, and activities that deceased loved ones enjoyed. Then, on Day of the Dead, the deceased loved ones are awakened to celebrate with their family.
Day of the Dead by Tony Johnston and Jeanette Winter
Students will be taken on an adventure while reading this book! Here, one family living in Mexico begins to prepare for Day of the Dead celebrations. When the day finally arrives, they join their neighbors as they head to the graveyard. Students will learn what communities do to welcome the spirits of loved ones as they return home for the night. Between learning Spanish words and being part of a celebration, Day of the Dead will come alive for listeners.
Dia de Los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Carles Ballesteros
Students will learn all about festive traditions as families prepare for Dia de Los Muertos with this story. As altars are decorated with sugar skulls and marigolds, spirits are awakening to return. Additionally, they will be guided by families preparing tamales and plenty of sweets to enjoy! While it may be only for a short time, it will be filled with picnics, music, and costume parades! The joyful festivities will be so enjoyable to learn about as students gain an appreciation for Hispanic Heritage Month.
FREEBIE
In order to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, students will be able to decorate a key symbol: sugar skulls! This symbol is one of the most known decorations as it represents the fun memories with deceased loved ones. Therefore, students will brighten their skull up with color versus being gloomy and dark. In other words, these skulls help remember the impact loved ones made. Additionally, they help keep loved ones alive in our hearts and memories. Hence, this FREEBIE has several different skulls for students to pick from. There are even options to look at how one half of a sugar skull is decorated and repeat it on the other half. Truly, there are so many options for students while celebrating such an important holiday!
While some think Dia de Los Muertos should be solemn since it remembers the dead, this is not the case! This holiday is meant to be fun and uplifting. When this happens, people can remember the incredible memories made with the ones who passed. With these books and skulls, students will see how the bright colors and parties keep memories alive for endless years.
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