It is that time of year, it has cooled off, time for pumpkin spice everything, and everyone on Instagram is reminding me that it is fall. This means it is time to get ready for Spanish teachers’ favorite holiday, el Día de los muertos, or the Day of the Dead. I have done many Day of the Dead posts before, which can be found here or a bundle of all my resources here.
Typically I plan on doing activities related to the Day of the Dead at all levels for the entire week in which it falls. I have not been one to have Day of the Dead Projects for Spanish class, but instead, teach about the holiday.
It works out that it is close to the start of a new quarter, so all levels get a culture break before diving into new novel units. I teach about the holiday IN SPANISH and try to compare it with their own personal life and experiences as much as I can. When I taught at a Catholic school it was the perfect tie-in with All Saints Day and All Souls Day as well. For even more resources, check out my post about Day of the Dead in Spanish class on Secondary Spanish Space.
Below are my favorite ready-to-go resources for teaching Día de los muertos in Spanish class.
Coco Movie Guide
This Coco movie guide is the perfect way to both give yourself a break, as well as expose students to The Day of the Dead. You can also get the same Coco guide in my website store. DO NOT FEEL bad for putting on a cultural movie, you all need the break! Make it a full unit using resources in this Coco Blog Post as well as downloading my FREE Coco Bonuses of character introduction slides & post viewing “Everyday IPA” with #authres reading, speaking, and writing at the bottom of this post.
Find Someone Who – Day of the Dead
A newer resource for Day of the Dead is a Find Someone Who with variations that could be used in any level of Spanish class. **Using the TPT Digital tool, you can assign this online for students to complete socially distanced or all online. Read this post to learn more.
The personalized questions about the holiday would be a great way to reintroduce the holiday and personalize it for Spanish two and up students, or as a wrap-up interpersonal activity after studying the holiday or watching a film in Spanish 1. As always, I include multiple levels of differentiation, as well as extension opportunities to write about classmates.
Día de los muertos in Spanish class Bell Ringers
If you are looking for Editable Google Slides class starters or brain breaks, to infuse a little bit about the holiday each day, this is for you. (it is also included if you have my year of Para Empezar). It is a Google Slideshow & you can pick and choose to add to your in-person or virtual plans. You can start right after HHM ends, and continue for 3 weeks through the Day of the Dead week. They could be used as one activity each day, or combined for a couple of days worth of content. The daily activities are as follows:
- Monday – Ad/Infographic
- Tuesday – Video
- Wednesday – Music
- Thursday – Joke
- Friday – Dance
Novice Reading in Spanish – Mexico & Day of the Dead
I made this novice-level Spanish Day of the Dead reading to introduce the novel Tumba by Mira Canion. It would be a good one-day reading to introduce a little bit about Mexico with a brief overview of the Day of the Dead. It would work well as a sub-plan as well. Update – It is now digital and can be assigned on Google Classroom or your LMS of choice!
Book of Life – Novice Spanish Movie Guide
This FREE Book of Life guide is based on the amazing Kara Jacob’s intermediate level guide. If you teach higher-level students, her guide is perfect! But if you just want questions in English to keep students on track, mine will work.
I bought the DVD in English online and typically show it with Spanish audio (with English subtitles in level 1). It is currently (fall 2022) on Disney+ as well. Read more about how I use the film and get a bonus character introduction slideshow in this blog post.
Day of the Dead Bundle
Get everything above in this Day of the Dead Bundle for the best deal. Or you can get the same bundle on TPT.
What order would I suggest for novice Spanish 1 to introduce DDLM?
- ⭐ Novice reading introducing Mexico and the Day of the Dead in Spanish
- ⭐ Pick 1 of the 2 Día de Muertos movie guides – either Coco & El Libro de Vida.
- ⭐ Novice Find Someone Who interpersonal speaking/writing activity
What order would I suggest for Spanish 2+ to dig deeper into Day of the Dead?
- ⭐ Use Editable Google Para Empezar Class Starters to introduce The Day of the Dead (either intro a little each day for 3 weeks or as a couple of day review)
- ⭐ Pick the other Día de Muertos movie guide – either Coco & El Libro de Vida.
- ⭐ Find Someone Who interpersonal speaking/writing activity about Día de Muertos – advanced versions
Other Día de los muertos in Spanish class resources
- Day of the Dead Card game – David Nance
- Calaverita – Kara Jacobs – I have used the Calaverita song resources above for my Spanish 3/4 class, Since I have had them for a while, they have already done most of my go-to activities above, so they needed something new.
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Day of the Dead Unit – Dustin Williamson
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Round up of Day of the Dead Resources – Spanish Mama
More Day of the Dead Resources & Projects for Spanish class
- Día de Muertos Songs for Spanish class
- My Day of the Dead Bundle
- The Best Movies to Teach the Day of the Dead
- Halloween Dance Videos
- Tierra Incógnita in Spanish class – a new show that is perfect for the spooky season!
- My Fiestas Pinterest Board
- Altares Video & Infographic
- Video & Embedded Reading activities for Day of the Dead
- All Posts for the novel Tumba – Tumba is a perfect way to have students learn about the holiday. My Spanish one class usually started the book after we learned about the Day of the Dead.
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What are your favorite resources for the Day of the Dead? Please share!
Día de muertos in Spanish class was originally published – 10.2.17 by Allison Wienhold – Most recently Updated 10.5.22 on Mis Clases Locas
