Dear Parents / Guardians:
Hola . In 5th grade Spanish class, we will soon begin our “El Día de los Muertos”
(Day of the Dead) unit. As part of the HASD Spanish curriculum for 5th grade, this unit is
based on the World Language Standards of Wisconsin in the areas of Culture and
Comparisons. Because the dates of Day of the Dead and Halloween fall so close, people tend
to think of Day of the Dead as Mexico’s Halloween, however, they have little in common. The
Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, brings with it feelings associated with celebration. Mexicans
usually spend more money on this holiday than on Christmas. Day of the Dead has a two-fold
purpose: (1.) to teach young children at an early age that death is a natural part of life and not to
be feared; and more importantly (2.) to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
In Spanish class, the students will be learning about customs of the Hispanic culture, not
about religion. Much of this unit is learning about what the Mexicans believe and do. To give
students a more hands-on approach to this special holiday, students will be making an “ofrenda”
(offering) and/or completing other cultural projects in their art and Spanish classes. The
“ofrenda” will be made to honor and remember a deceased, loved family member, pet, imaginary
person, or a celebrity. Some other activities will pertain to crafts that Mexicans make or buy to
bring color, humor and joy to this celebration. Mrs. Hearley, Miss Miller and I look forward to
integrating world language and art in order to help the students become more globally aware
through enhancing their understanding of a new culture.
Culture and foreign language learning go hand in hand; there are numerous benefits to
learning about the Hispanic culture along with the Spanish language itself. The uniquely IndoHispanic celebration, Day of the Dead, demonstrates a strong sense of love and respect for
one's ancestors and celebrates the continuance of life and family relationships.
This may be a good time to discuss your personal thoughts and beliefs with your children
at home. Should you have any questions/concerns, feel free to email me at
[email protected]. Thank you for your time, cooperation and support.
Erin Edwards
Spanish Teacher
GES/GMS
“A deliberate attempt at keeping memories alive can help us to recognize the character and worth of family members. It can
reinforce the fact that almost everyone who lives has something of value to leave behind: it may be as simple as Grandpa's
way of telling stories, or Aunt Annie's recipe for gravy. This carrying on of small parts of people's lives creates a sense of
continuity that never dies. It brings us warmth and comfort, as well as appreciation for those who are still here. Taking a
closer look at death can encourage us all to realize the joy in being alive.”
~Teri Ann Berg Olsen