Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that honors and celebrates deceased loved ones. Observed on November 1 and 2, this holiday blends Indigenous customs with Catholic influences, building a rich tapestry of rituals and symbolism. For educators, it’s an opportunity to explore themes of memory, family, and cultural heritage with students.
Día de los Muertos focuses on family, remembrance, and celebration. Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, candles, photographs, and the favorite foods of the departed. These offerings invite the spirits back to the world of the living for a day of reunion and festivity.
Integrating this celebration into your classroom introduces students to this tradition and can foster empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of the diverse ways people honor their ancestors.
Try these activities to bring Día de los Muertos to life in your classroom:
Create an Ofrenda:
Set up a classroom altar where students can contribute items that represent their ancestors, loved ones, or deceased pets. This altar could include drawings, poems, or symbolic objects. Ofrendas typically include three levels that represent heaven, earth, and the underworld.
Papel Picado Art:
Teach students how to make traditional Mexican paper cuttings, then use them to adorn the classroom and incorporate them into writing activities.
Sugar Skull Crafts:
Provide materials for students to decorate sugar skulls, a hallmark of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Tie this activity to lessons on symmetry, patterns, and cultural symbolism.
Storytelling Sessions:
Encourage students and families to share stories about their own family traditions and memories of loved ones by creating a video discussion board with Padlet (reviewed here). Create a secure board where students and their families can post videos, photos, or written reflections honoring their ancestors. This approach not only deepens students’ understanding of the tradition but also strengthens the connection between school and home. Taking advantage of Padlet’s features also makes this activity more inclusive by allowing families to participate from anywhere and at a time that is convenient for them.
Suggested prompts include:
- Share a family recipe passed down through generations.
- Interview an elder about a family tradition.
- Create a digital ofrenda with photos and memories and discuss your offerings with the whole class or in small groups.
- Tell us about a craft your family has created.
You and your students can learn more about Día de los Muertos by exploring the following resources:
- Let Día de los Muertos Stand on Its Own (reviewed here) – This informative article explains the traditions behind the Day of the Dead as a celebration of life and a remembrance of loved ones.
- Origins of Halloween and Day of the Dead (reviewed here) – Comparisons are often made between Halloween and Day of the Dead because they are celebrated in late fall and involve themes of death and spirits. This article traces the origins of both celebrations and includes short video explanations.
- Google Arts and Culture (reviewed here) – This resource shares several collections from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino (reviewed here), including Day of the Dead classroom resources:
- La Catrina: Lady of the Dead is a digital collection that explores the evolution of La Catrina, a satirical 1910–1913 woodcut by José Guadalupe Posada. Originally intended to mock the upper classes, it has since become a celebrated symbol of Día de los Muertos as told through images and poetry.
- The Meaning of the Altar shares the story of the ofrenda and how it welcomes back household spirits. This is a comprehensive site that includes detailed explanations behind the symbolic items celebrants include on their ofrendas to represent the life elements of water, wind, fire, and earth.
- Honoring Our Ancestors features images and information about the theme of unity between life and death, which is integral to celebrations of the Day of the Dead.
- Wayground (formerly Quizizz) (reviewed here) – This versatile platform with AI support allows teachers to create interactive lessons, quizzes, flashcards, and videos on any subject, including cultural celebrations like Día de los Muertos.
Día de los Muertos offers more than an opportunity for hands-on art or history lessons; it invites students and families to honor memory, share stories, and celebrate life. Incorporating family voices—whether through classroom displays, interviews, or Padlet video reflections—creates an inclusive learning environment where students see their identities and histories reflected in school while learning about other families and cultures. Including families helps students extend learning and turns a cultural celebration into a powerful learning experience that deepens cultural understanding and builds connections that extend far beyond the classroom walls.