Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students compare the holiday of Halloween, as celebrated in the United States, to the Mexican holiday of El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, November 1-2). Students compare both holidays by looking at traditions, music, and visual art. Each student then replicates a tradition associated with El Día de los Muertos by creating an altar in memory of an ancestor who has died.
Length of Lesson:
Four 45-minute class periods
Notes:
This lesson is particularly suitable for grades 3-4.
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- compare how the holidays of Halloween (in the United States) and Día de los Muertos (in Mexico) are celebrated.
- research the traditions, music, and history of Halloween and El Día de los Muertos.
- create an altar piece in honor of someone who has passed on.
Supplies:
- Day of the Dead: A Mexican-American Celebration by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
(This book can be substituted for another book on the Day of the Dead.)
- Day of the Dead by Tony Johnston (This book can be substituted for another book on the Day of the Dead.)
- Empty shoeboxes or gift boxes
- Family photos and mementos of a relative or loved one who is deceased
- General art supplies such as glue, scissors, crayons, paint, brushes, colored paper, paper plates, clay, etc
- Multicultural holiday or festival music CDs and a sound system (optional)
Instructional Plan:
Warm Up
Ask the students what they think of and how they might define the words "holiday," "celebrate," and "tradition." Place the words on the board in a chart form and give space for student responses. Students will likely list specific holidays, things to celebrate, and traditions. Distribute the Vocabulary handout and discuss the definitions with students.
Guided Practice
One holiday that students will likely mention is Halloween, a holiday that has become a controversial holiday in many communities. Discuss what students in the class do to observe Halloween. Do they dress up and trick-or-treat in their neighborhoods? Do they go to parties? Quite a few students may not observe the holiday. Discuss the reasons for not celebrating the holiday, including religious objections.
Ask students if they know the history of Halloween. Explain that in ancient Celtic times (in the region that is now England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland), Halloween was regarded as a time when the spirits of those that had died the previous year returned to earth. The living put on masks to seek protection by hiding from the spirits. Halloween, October 31, is also called "All Hallows' Eve."
Explain that in the Roman Catholic religion, November 1st is known as All Saints' Day. It is a "holy day of obligation" (a day on which Catholics are required to attend mass). It is a day that honors the saints whose birth or death anniversaries are not known. The following day, All Souls' Day, honors all others who have died. In England, it was once the custom to give money and food to the poor on All Souls' Day. This led to the custom of children begging for treats on Halloween.
Tell the students that in Mexico, November 1st and 2nd are known as "El Día de los Muertos" or "Los Días de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead). During this annual event, which is a blend of Spanish Catholic traditions and native beliefs in Mexico, people create altars to honor departed relatives. Families gather items such as marigolds, the relative's favorite food, and pictures of the person. They take these items to the graveyard and have a picnic or party on the grave. This tradition is thought to make death less frightening, because it shows that you will be remembered after you have died. It also helps to console the living people who miss the deceased individual.
Research Activity
Divide the class into four different groups to research about Halloween and El Día de los Muertos. The students are to compare the two holidays looking for examples of music and visual art. The students should conduct research using print and Web resources. For resources, see the Teacher References section.
Have the groups share their research with class. As a follow-up to this activity, note that many cultures have traditions for honoring the dead. In Afghanistan, one prepares and eats the favorite food of the deceased relative for a month after he/she died on Thursdays. Vietnamese and Koreans create shrines to honor ancestors like the altars in Mexico. Japanese Buddhists clean homes and prepare special foods for a three-day celebration of the dead in July.
Independent Activity
Honoring and celebrating the life of a departed loved one is a way to keep that person living on in the hearts of those left behind. Explain to each student group that they will be creating an altar, similar to those used on El Día de los Muertos, to honor a relative or special person who has died. (Note: If the students do not personally know of a person who has died, tell them to talk to their parents or guardian about someone meaningful in their life who passed away.) Follow these steps to create an altar:
- Have students bring photos of the person who passed away.
- Set a table against the wall.
- Place books or empty boxes on the table to create different levels and cover with a cloth (the levels represent the stages spirits go though to reach heaven or Paradise.
- Add flower petals and garlands (marigolds are best, since yellow and the flower itself symbolize ), a glass of water, and candles
- Place photos of the dead on the altar, along with any favorite possessions (books, music, etc) and food or drinks they enjoyed while they were alive. (This is to welcome the spirits to the party.)
Encourage each group to individualize their altar with a variety of art supplies, including paint, colored paper, and crayons or markers. (Note: The process of creating the altar may be sensitive or emotional for some students. Encourage students to use only positive, constructive feedback. Circulate the room offering guidance and support)
Conclusion
When students have completed their altars, have each group present their altar to the class with an explanation of the meaning of each item in the altar. You may also wish to have students accompany their verbal presentation with a written synopsis about what they learned from the process of making an altar to honor the dead.
Assessment:
Use the Assessment Rubric to evaluate students understanding and learning.
Extensions:
Have students compare and contrast a variety of multicultural holidays. Each student should select a holiday with which he or she is familiar. Assign each student to research a holiday in another culture that is similar in some way (i.e., the purpose it is celebrated, the time of year the holiday occurs, the traditions associated with the holidays). For example, if a student selects Independence Day, you might assign him or her to research Bastille Day or Cinco de Mayo. Give the students a day to research the holiday, including music and visual art associated with the holidays. Have each student write a report and deliver a presentation comparing and contrasting the holidays they researched.
Sources:
Print:
- Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Day of the Dead: A Mexican-American Celebration. Holiday House, Inc. 1994.
- Johnston, Tony. Day of the Dead. Sagebrush Education Resources. 2000.
- Milord, Susan. Hands Around the World. Ideals Publications, 1992.
- Terzian, Alexandra M. The Kids' Multicultural Art Book. Ideals Publications, 1993.
Web:
Authors:
-
Mary Beth Bauernschub, Teacher
Kingsford Elementary School
Mitchellville, MD
