The document provides information about El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which is celebrated in Mexico and parts of the United States on November 1st and 2nd. It discusses the traditions, foods, and ofrendas (altars) that are part of the celebration. Ofrendas are set up to honor and remember deceased loved ones, and typically include photos of the deceased, candles, flowers, calaveras (skeleton figures), foods and drinks, items representing the personality of the person, and other sentimental items. Students are then asked to plan their own virtual ofrenda to represent how they would want to be remembered after passing.

1. SP2 + 2H El Día de los Muertos
1. Where is the day of the dead celebrated? Mexico and certain parts of the United
States._
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html
2. When is it celebrated? November 1 and November 2, _____________________
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html
3. What is pan de muerto? Sweet, egg-rich "bread of the dead".__
(under the cartoon, click on FOOD)
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/
4. Is the day of the dead considered a sad time or a festive one? _Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but
instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.
http://www.holidays.net/halloween/muertos.htm
5. What is an ofrenda? (give details)__ in the homes families arrange altars with flowers, bread, fruit and candy.
The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called altares or altars, but they are not for
worshiping.
Why are they set up? _They are set up to remember and honor the memory of their ancestors._
Where are they typically set up? The ofrenda is set on a table, covered with a fine tablecloth, preferably white._
http://www.inside-mexico.com/ofrenda.htm
6. What are calacas? whimsical skeleton figures that represent death ______
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/glossary/
7. View a traditional altar: Under the cartoon click on Altar Documentary.
Then, name the seven things that typically can be found on an altar on “Día de los muertos”?
Do this by clicking on the numbers: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/altar#
1. Photos of saints of particular importance to the family sit on the altar along with photos of the deceased
relatives the family is waiting for.
2. Tamales, mole, pan de muerto and seasonal fruits are placed at the altar.
3. A bar of soap, towel, bowl of water (not pictured) and other grooming items
4. Candles are always present on the altars. They are usually made from beeswax or paraffin and come in
different shapes, sizes and designs. Families light candles on the altars and on the gravesite of the deceased.
5. In Mexico, death is something to be celebrated. Skeleton dolls and toys are made for living children to play
with. Thus, the child's first acquaintance with death is a cheerful one.
6. Flowers, which symbolize the brief life of man, are used as an offering on the altars. Alter builders must rely
on a network of relatives and neighbors, or purchase flowers for their display.
7. Items that represent the personality of the honoree are added, which can be things the person enjoyed on
earth or things for which the person became known.
8. View a video (2min: 11sec) : Watch this video and any others you would like to see to get a good idea of what
El Día de los Muertos is all about. http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/video/
Summarize in 2-3 sentences what you would tell someone who doesn’t know anything about El Día de los
Muertos but wants to know what it is:
The day of the dead is a time to celebrate those that have died. It used to be a whole month but the Spaniards
changed that and now it’s only on November first and November 2nd. November first is for the kids that have
died and November 2nd is for the adults that have passed.
EHS/WLD 10/14

2. SP2 + 2H El Día de los Muertos
Ofrenda/Virtual Altar Project: How would you like your life to be celebrated & remembered?
CONSIDERING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE DAY OF THE DEAD “Ofrendas” (altars), you will create a virtual altar that your loved
ones would construct for you if they were remembering you as you are now. Today, you will plan & write down ideas. Then, sketch your
design below.
*The virtual altar (DDM virtual altar http://latino.si.edu/dayofthedead/) will be due Friday, Oct 31
*Post to pbworks.com
Rubric: *This sheet must be turned in with your Ofrenda project.
EHS/WLD 10/14
1 Poorly Done 2 Fair 3 Well Done
photo 1 2 3
candles & 1 2 3
flowers 1 2 3
calaveras 1 2 3
Foods and drinks 1 2 3
Interests 1 2 3
Sentimental items 1 2 3
Colorful and creative 2 4 6
posted to www.sp2linares1415@pbworks.com 0 1 late 3
Nota final /30 possible points