El Día de los Muertos
A Webquest for High School Spanish
Designed by Diane Goodson
[email protected]
A Celebration of Life
Introduction
You have a chance to take a trip to Mexico and the
only dates available are October 30 to November 5.
You’ve always wanted to go and this is your opportunity!
You get there and people are shopping and preparing for the
upcoming festivities. They are selling flowers and there are pictures
and food that look like skulls. There are many things that look different
from where you are from. You ask one of the locals, and they say,
“You better prepare for the Day of the Dead celebration.
Everyone will be in town. You will have a good time.”
You ask yourself, “What can possibly be good about the dead?”
You will have to find out.
October 31st, November 1st and 2nd are celebrated differently in the United States and Mexico (as well
as other countries in Latin America. In order to make communication more effective, we must learn how
to compare and connect cultures and communities of other countries to our own. This webquest should
clarify misconceptions about the festivities that take place during these dates. You will complete a visual
to illustrate your findings.
OBJECTIVES:
 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between
the practices, products and perspectives of the cultures studied.
 Identify and observe tangible products of the culture.
 Identify, discuss, and produce artwork, crafts, or graphic
representations.
 Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture
through comparisons of the cultures studied and the students' own.
TASK
Using the suggested websites, research what days are celebrated in Mexico and the United States
on October 31, November 1 and November 2. Utilize research to complete a presentation of the
material.
Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
You will conduct research in pairs.
Distribute the websites so both students can do the research.
Decide what type of visual you will create.
Both students are responsible for each step of the activity.
5. Answer the following questions.
a) What are the names of the three holidays? (in English and Spanish)
b) What was the earliest this custom was practiced?
c) What is the main purpose of the celebration?
d) What day is specifically in remembrance of children’s souls? What do they call those souls?
e) List 3 or more things that are symbols of the festivities?
f) What is an altar? Where can you find them?
g) What is an ofrenda? Give examples of what they would include?
h) What is the purpose of the visit to the cemetery?
i) What is the significance of the skeletons?
j) What physical restrictions keep the dead and living apart? Do Hispanics believe this?
6. Identify each of the following Spanish words or phrases by writing either its English equivalent
or a description.
a) cempazuchitl
b) calaca
c) papel picado
d) Jose Guadalupe Posada and "La Catrina"
e) copal
f) alfeniques
g) cascarones
h) mole
i) atole
j) Calaveras
7. Research about how people in the United States celebrate Halloween.
a) What were the origins of Halloween?
b) How do we celebrate it today?
c) List at least 3 changes that have occurred?
8. Create a chart or Venn diagram that illustrates similarities and differences of the holidays.
Websites
Use the following websites for research
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3099-mexico-s-day-of-the-dead-resource-page
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/dia-de-los-muertos/?ar_a=1
http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated depending on their contribution to the project.
Group
participation
Visual
contribution
Questions
Definitions
Halloween
research
Chart or
diagram
Exemplary
contribution
of
information
beyond the
scope of
research
Original ideas
and effort
Very good
Worked
cohesively
toward final
product
thorough
teachable
depiction
specific
thorough
attention to
coverage of
detail
themes
Clearly stated Appropriate
and
and
grammatically complete
correct
definitions
contributions Worked
of
cohesively
information
toward final
beyond the
product
scope of
research
Attention to
adequate
detail
information
Presentation Enthusiastic
and precise
Adequate
information
Developing
Equal
distribution of
work
Beginning
inadequate
Score
adequate
inadequate
representation
of topics
adequate
inadequate
address of
themes
Vague or/and inadequate
incomplete
Equal
distribution of
work
inadequate
Limited or
incomplete
information
inadequate
Lack of
connecting
information
inadequate
Conclusion
This research will show the differences between Halloween and the Day of the Dead
celebrations. You will learn the origins and proper customs and courtesies in order to properly
celebrate these festivities
An altar is a place to display special things that help you remember and honor a loved one.
How to make a mini altar for the Day of the Dead
1.
Fold cardstock, cardboard or paper to make a stand or base.
2.
Cover with decorative paper.
3.
Make sure you have flowers, candles (no flame), capped container with water.
4.
You should include a picture of the person being honored.
5.
Include something they liked (clothing and music).
6.
Place food items in your display and salt.
7.
Decorate.
8. Write something to let others know what the person means to you.