Mexico's Day of the Dead
As one educator has put is, “By studying the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday, students will gain an understanding that various cultures have differing views of life and death.” You can have lots of fun studying other cultures and alternative holidays.
I've also included some craft ideas, as well as some links on the Mexican Day of the Dead that will give you true information on this holiday, its history, and how it is practiced today.
SUGGESTED WEBSITES:
What Do Mexican’s Celebrate on the Day of the Dead?
Mexico’s Day of the Dead
DayoftheDead.com
ACTIVITIES:
1. Before beginning this lesson, or reading any information on it, have the child(ren) predict what the holiday is about and activities and celebrations that surround the holiday.
2. After they are finished with their predictions, learn more about the holiday by going to the websites listed above and/or by going to the library and checking out books to read on the holiday.
3. You can learn more about the Aztec gods mentioned on some of the websites by visiting http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/areas/aztec/.
4. Make some All Soul's Day bread, a popular food for Mexico’s Day of the Dead, by following this recipe.
5. Another popular treat on Day of the Dead of the confection known as sugar skulls. Follow the directions at this website for making your own: http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/mexicansugarskull/recipe.htm.
Craft Ideas:
Pasta Skeleton
Mr. Bones
Skeletons and Bones thematic ideas from Enchanted Learning
Suggested Reading Ideas:
Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead by George Ancona
Barrilete: A Kite for the Day of the Dead by Elisa Amado and Joya Hairs
Day of the Dead: A Mexican-American Celebration by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith and Lawrence Migdale.
If you would like to know why you are so tired and how to get the energy back into your life -- even if you've tried *everything* -- then read this entire article.
Are you sleepy, tired, or worn out most of the time?
