Inside: Day of the Dead projects for Spanish class. Day of the Dead craft activities and Day of the Dead altar projects. Getting the most language out of Día de los Muertos projects for Spanish class.
Author: Allison Wienhold
Published on Mis Clases Locas: October 2, 2024
As Spanish teachers, we have a unique opportunity to immerse our students in the rich cultural traditions of the Spanish-speaking world. One of the most vibrant celebrations is Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
I have many past blog posts about the Day of the Dead
- Día de muertos in Spanish class
- The Best Movies to Teach the Day of the Dead
- Día de Muertos Songs for Spanish class
- Halloween dance videos for any class
- Teaching the novel Tumba
I have been pretty open that I have not done many Día de los Muertos projects for Spanish class. As you can see from past posts I have typically not done Day of the Dead projects for Spanish class. Instead, I taught about Día de Muertos with the novel Tumba, songs, or movies like Coco & The Book of Life. But, I know many Spanish clubs and Exploratory Spanish have been looking for crafts for the Day of the Dead.
Celebrating Día de los Muertos: Creative Projects for Spanish Class
So, by request, this post is full of engaging Día de los Muertos projects for Spanish class. It focuses on the creation of altars and various arts and crafts. If done well, these will enhance your students’ understanding and appreciation of this beautiful tradition.
Go beyond Day of the Dead arts and crafts and also teach about the holiday as well. Also, be careful with the balance of Day of the Dead craft activities and language instruction. You know I love a good craftivity, (see my original Thankful Turkey).
But, I would not want to spend more than one precious class period doing Day of the Dead art projects. Day of the Dead craft activities are best suited for homeroom, extension, Spanish club, a Spanish class sub plan, or a fun once-in-a-semester celebration.
Understanding the Altar of the Day of the Dead
Learn more >> Altares
The altar of the Day of the Dead (ofrenda) is a central element in the celebration. It is a sacred space where families honor their deceased loved ones. It can include photos, favorite foods, and items that represent the interests of those who have passed. Discussing the significance of these altars provides a meaningful context for students. It can allow them to connect emotionally with the culture.
**But, on a personal note it is very important to know your students and to provide a trigger warning before starting any Day of the Dead altar projects. When I was new to the school, I did not know two students lost their baby sibling right before school started. While they appreciated the chance to honor their sibling, this could be very triggering to students and schools who have recently been affected by a tremendous loss.
Ideas for Día de los Muertos Projects in Spanish Class
Here are some creative crafts for the Day of the Dead that you can incorporate into your lessons. Day of the Dead projects for Spanish class.
Create a Mini Altar Project
Have students design their mini altars using shoeboxes or small boxes. They can decorate their altars with papel picado, marigolds, and images of loved ones. This hands-on activity encourages students to express their understanding of the tradition. You can extend it by practicing vocabulary related to the Day of the Dead.
¡Ofrenda de día de muertos en una caja de zapatos!
Authentic video to show a full-size altar in a home
Writing Reflections on Altars
After creating their altars, ask students to write a reflection in Spanish about who they honored and why. This writing component can help reinforce their Spanish writing. It also adds a connection to the cultural significance of the holiday. *I would only grade the writing, not the project. This aligns with Standard Based Grading.
Altars on Paper
Have less time & want more communication? Instead of a Day of the Dead art project, I had students draw their altar. They then wrote about the altar and what they included and why in Spanish. This worked great as an emergency sub plan after we had already been studying about the holiday.
Day of the Dead Art Projects
Also, students could create artwork inspired by the colorful themes of Día de los Muertos. They could paint sugar skulls (calaveras) or create their interpretations of traditional symbols using mixed media. This Day of the Dead art project could be displayed in the classroom or at a school event. There are a lot of different simple crafts for Day of the Dead that you could use. If you have tissue paper you could make papel picado or flores de cempasúchil.
Cómo hacer flores de cempasúchil de papel crepé faciles
CÓMO HACER PAPEL PICADO, FACILÍSIMO – DÍA DE MUERTOS
Sugar Skull Crafts
Making sugar skulls could be a fun and engaging way to introduce students to this iconic symbol. I know a teacher who bought sugar skull molds and this is an annual tradition in her classes. They make the skulls out of actual sugar. (TBH it sounds super messy 😉
You could use edible ingredients to craft these colorful decorations or create non-edible versions using clay or paper mache. Students could personalize their skulls with names and designs that reflect their understanding of the celebration.
Cómo hacer calaveritas de azúcar
Day of the Dead Craft Activities
Another idea is to organize a craft day where students can participate in various Day of the Dead crafts. Set up stations for making papel picado, decorating skulls, and creating marigold flowers. This would be great if you had a department with a station in each room. Teachers only need to be the experts on one Day of the Dead craft activity. Students could pick which room and Day of the Dead craft they want to participate in.
*To add in more Spanish input, use an authentic video to teach the craft in Spanish. There are many tutorial videos in Spanish of Day of the Dead arts and crafts on YouTube, Instagram & TikTok. You could even have students research to find videos for crafts for the Day of the Dead to use.
Integrating Culture and Language
Incorporating Día de los Muertos projects into your curriculum can foster a deeper understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures. By focusing on Day of the Dead craft activities, students learn the language and appreciate the values of remembrance and community.
Celebrating Día de Muertos in your Spanish class through creative projects can be a rewarding experience for you and your students. Just remember to incorporate the Spanish language and not just a Day of the Dead craft. Want to also teach using the film, Coco? Grab my free Coco Movie resources below.
