Classroom Material

This board game in English is a fun way for students to learn about Day of the Dead. Most of the spaces ask a question the students must answer. If they're wrong, they cannot move. Certain spaces where students can either move forward or back adds a bit of fun.

***Click the butterfly to download

This crossword has clues in English, but the students must use the Spanish words to answer. It's perfect for introducing not only the holiday but is a great way to also practice the language for any level.

***Click the butterfly to download

After learning the Spanish vocabulary for words often used in relation to Day of the Dead, students must locate the given words in the grid running horizontally, vertically, or diagonally then circle them.

***Click the butterfly to download

Don't want to deal with makeup? Have students make a sugar skull mask. Decorate the sugar skull with your favorite colors and designs. Then cut out the skull and glue a craft stick to the back to make a mask.

***Click the butterfly to download

Making papel picado can be fun. However, if you don't want to deal with the delicate paper or scissors, try this fun activity. Students can finish the designs and color it in themselves.

***Click the butterfly to download

This video shows step by step how to make marigold flowers out of tissue paper that can be used for decorating your altar.

An easy how-to video that helps making sugar skulls easy by Michael’s. Don’t forget to write the name of the person’s it’s honoring!

A great activity for students to really understand what Day of the Dead is about is by building an altar. Teachers can have a classroom altar where maybe students can honor a deceased relative, pet, celebrity, etc. There is a lot of symbolism, and teachers can have fun deep-diving into the meaning.

Each level has a special significance. The traditional altar has 7 levels, which can vary in order from place to place. However, most people today build altars with 2 to 3 levels. However, depending on how much you want to delve into it, below is an image that gives a more detailed explanation of the meaning of each level.