Spanish I Lesson Plan El Dia de los Muertos
This lesson is geared towards beginning high school Spanish students. The objective of the lesson is to familiarize them with the culture and customs of the Mexican observance of the "Day of the Dead."
What do Mexicans celebrate on the "Day of the Dead?" That is a good question. You can click here and read some information to find out. Be sure to pay close attention to the pictures as you scroll down the page and read. Then see if you can answer these questions below:
1.What is 'Miccailhuitontli"?
2 .Who are "Huitzilopochtli" and "Mictecacihuatl?"
If you click here and use Audio Player you can hear what these Indian words sound like. Just scroll down to the little speaker symbol with the notes and click. Now see if you can answer a few more questions: (click here if you need to go back to the reading)
3. The ancient Aztecs celebrated this festival during what time of the year?
4. What is the "Dia de Todos Santos?"
5. When do the Mexicans now celebrate "el Dia de los Muertos?"
As you learned in the reading above, there are many special foods and traditions connected with the "Dia de los Muertos." Go to the Glossary for the "Day of the Dead," and write a short definition for each of the following words. Click on each of the words to see a picture representation.
CALAVERAS (DE AZUCAR/SUGAR)-
PAN DE MUERTOS-
"El Dia de los Muertos" is around the same time as our holiday "Halloween." List 5 things that you think are similar and 5 things that you think are the same for the two holidays.