Pablo Remembers the Fiesta of the Day of the Dead

In the classroom/library:

GRADE LEVEL: 2nd
SUBJECTS: Social Studies, Language Arts, and Fine Arts
OVERVIEW: Students will learn about the traditional celebration of El día de los muertos (Day of Remembrance) through a storybook and discussion. They will learn the steps of preparation for the celebration, the importance of the celebration and the significance of celebrating this day by creating their own altar as a whole class.
PURPOSE:
To have the students understand the cultural aspect of El día de los muertos celebration. Students will understand and be aware of the meaning of the different foods and artifacts used in building an altar.
To have the students differentiate differences/similarities of Halloween in the United States and El día de los muertos in Mexico. To understand the different ways people remember the dead (Memorial Day, anniversary, birthday, etc.)

Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Recognize the difference between El día de los muertos and Halloween.
2. Understand the different ways people celebrate the dead (U.S. / Mexico).
3. Recognize the meaning of celebrating the dead (Remembrance through a celebration by visiting and spending all day at cemetery, making altar with their favorite foods, candies, etc.).
4. Recognize that certain values and beliefs are shared through a celebration.

Standards - Taken from the TUSD Core Curriculum Web Site
Reading
Readers who develop a rich and varied repertoire of word meanings have a greater capacity for understanding the text they read. Reading vocabulary refers specifically to words readers recognize or use in print. Students learn vocabulary by direct instruction, and also indirectly through experiences in listening to read aloud and in reading on their own.
o Acquire and use new vocabulary in relevant contexts. (2-R1-C4)
o Employ strategies to comprehend text. (2-R1-C6)
o Recognize and apply knowledge of the historical and cultural aspects of world literature. (2-R2-C2)
History
Students analyze the human experience through time, recognize the relationships of events and people, and interpret significant patterns, themes, ideas, beliefs and turning points in Arizona, American, and world history.
o Use stories to describe past events, people and places, with emphasis on: (SS1-F3)
PO 1. Contributions from past events and cultures

Creating Art
Students know and apply the arts, disciplines, techniques and processes to communicate in original or interpretive work.
o Select and use subjects, themes and symbols in works of art. (AV1-F1)

ELL Standards for Reading
Students will listen actively to the ideas of others in order to acquire new knowledge. (ELL-L&S-3)

Resources
Children's Books:
Pablo Remembers the Fiesta of the Day of the Dead by George Ancona
Day of the Dead by Linda Lowery, illustrated by Barbara Knutson
The Spirit of Tio Fernando by Janice Levy, illustrated by Morella Fuenmayor
A Gift for Abuelita by Nancy Luenn, illustrated by Robert Chapman
A display of photographs of altars, indigenous people, and cemeteries

Materials
Photographs, candles, candy/skull, bread, chocolate, fruit, flowers, papel picado
Map of Mexico
Tissue paper, scissors, string, glue
Construction paper/pencil

Process
Introductory Set
Start by showing the map of Mexico. Ask the students if they can tell me something about Mexico. What are some things celebrated in Mexico? Ask the students to analyze the objects on the table to see what they think the celebration we will be talking about. Show them the cover of the book and skim through some pages to see if they get an idea of what the book will be about. Ask students about the preparations and emotions that go along with celebrating Halloween. Ask students to share their answers. (Whole-class discussion). Have students share their favorite food/dish with a partner.

2. Objectives/purpose
Students will construct an altar step by step as a whole class to show what they learned about preparing an altar for El día de los muertos.
Students will understand the meaning of the ofrenda, including papel picado, used in preparing the altar.
Students will understand the meaning of celebrating the dead.

3. Input
a. Read to the class a book about El día de los muertos. (Pablo Remembers the Fiesta of the Day of the Dead by George Ancona)
b. Review the different words and meanings of the different objects that will be used in making the altar by picking each object up and asking if they remember what it is and its significance.
c. Write each word on the board as they are remembering it.
d. Referring to pictures on display.

4. Modeling
Model making papel picado with different colored tissue paper. Model steps: pass out traced folded tissue paper. Using scissors explain/show students how to cut paper on the traced lines, open up tissue, and show the design. Students will fold over edge of the papel picado and glue to a strand of string one at a time to create a banner of papel picado.

5. Check for Understanding
Review the process and review the reason for the traced lines on the tissue paper in order for the design to come out correctly.

6. Guided Practice
Teachers will support students by walking around the class making sure students are doing what they are supposed to do and guiding them along in the cutting process if needed.

7. Independent Practice
Students will create a papel picado design at their desks.

8. Closure
Students will understand the cultural tradition and celebration of remembering the dead in a joyous way.

Assessment
The students will understand the use of papel picado in the celebration. They will be able to answer questions the reason of the celebration.

Extensions/Modifications
Students can analyze the differences/similarities between El día de los muertos and Halloween.
A student who needs special attention can be offered paper and crayons in order to draw the ofrendas as the class is building the altar.

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