Dia de los Muertos

By José Guadalupe Posada - ArtDaily.org, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1485430Add caption

Today's lesson surrounds the Dia de los Muertos celebration in Mexico. Translated Dia de los Muertos means the Day of the Dead. We will watch a National Geographic video on what it is and then we will read about it. 

Next we will look at the artist Jose Posada and examine his work La Calavera Catrina which is an iconic piece of artwork that may be the artistic symbol for Dia de los Muertos. 

There has been a lot more interest in this holiday thanks to movies such as the Disney film Coco and  Guillermo del Toro's The Book of Life.

Essential Question:

• What is the Day of the Dead and why is it celebrated in Mexico? 
• Who is Jose Posada?
• Why is the image La Calavera Catrina important to the Day of the Dead in Mexico?

 Engage:

• What is the Day of the Dead? National Geographic video (1:51)

Explore:

• Dia de los Muertos National Geographic
• Jose Guadalupe Posada Wikipedia
• La Calavera Catrina Wikipedia

Explain:

• Why does Mexico celebrate Dia de los Muertos?
• Who is Jose Posada?
• Why is La Calavera Catrina important to Dia de los Muertos?

Evaluate:

• Notebook Page: Jose Posada
• Day of the Dead 5 W's and H worksheet

Extend:

• Day of the Dead Wordsearch