Day of The Dead Student Version BW

DAY OF THE DEAD
Dia de los Muertos

WHAT IS IT?
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, combines the
ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All
Souls’ Day, a holiday brought to Mexico by Spanish invaders
in the early 1500s. The holiday is mostly celebrated in
Mexico on November 1 and 2. Many people in the United
States celebrate the holiday too. It is like a family reunion,
only dead ancestors are the guests of honor. The Day of
the Dead is a happy holiday that honors the deceased and
celebrates their memory. It should not be confused with
Halloween, even though they are celebrated the same time
of year.
ALTAR
People set up a candlelit altar, called ofrendas,
in their homes to help spirits find their way
back to their relatives. They have pictures of
the deceased, as well as their favorite foods in
case they are hungry. Items that were
important to the ancestors when they are
alive, like a favorite musical instrument or
book, is put on the altar too. Each altar
includes the four elements: water, wind, earth,
and fire. Water is left in a pitcher so the
spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, traditional paper banners,
represent the wind. Food, especially bread, represents the earth. Candles,
in the form of a cross, often represent the cardinal directions so the
spirits can find their way.
GRAVEYARD
Families go to the graveyard for a big party. They bring a
large feast to eat while they clean the tombstones, sing
songs, and talk to their ancestors. Sometimes babies are
introduced to relatives who died before the baby was born. A
sweet bread called pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, is
cooked for the Day of the Dead. Cookies with icing are
shaped like bones and skulls.
©Teaching to the Middle
DANCING
The Day of the Dead is filled with dancing and music, like many other
celebrations. There are many popular dances that help people remember
and celebrate their loved ones.
SYMBOLS
A type of marigold flower native to Mexico, is often
put on altars and around graves. Its petals spread out
like rays of the sun. They have a strong scent and
vibrant colored petals that are used to make a path to
lead spirits from the cemetery to their families’ homes.
Monarch butterflies are important to the Day of the

Dead too because they are thought to hold the spirits of
the deceased. Monarch butterflies first arrive in Mexico
for the winter each fall on November 1, lining up with the
Day of the Dead.
Sugar skulls, along with toys, are left on altars for

children who have passed. This is not meant as a morbid
symbol, but as a whimsical reminder of how life is a cycle.
This is why they are brightly decorated.
Skeletons, or calacas, of all shapes and materials are

seen everywhere during the Day of the Dead. These
honor their ancestors. They remind people that death is
part of life and they will one day be skeletons too. The
skeletons are posed in various positions, such as a playing
a guitar, taking a bath, or cooking.
WAYS TO CELEBRATE
*Decorate with flowers, including marigolds. You can always
make fake flowers out of tissue paper to display.
*Hang images of skeletons and skulls.
*Set up an altar and decorate it with crosses, candles,
flowers, and photos of deceased loved ones.
*Make and eat traditional Day of the Day food, like pan de
muerto, tamales, and sugared skulls.
*Tell funny stories about ancestors who have passed.
Name_____________________________________________________
THE DAY OF THE DEAD

MATCHING: Match each term with its description.
1. _____ marigold A. Butterflies who migrate to Mexico for winter
2. _____ ofrendas B. Bread of the dead
3. _____ graveyards C. The Day of the Dead occurs in this month
4. _____ monarch D. Flower placed on altars and around graves
5. _____ All Souls’ Day E. Families clean tombstones in these
6. _____ November F. Candlelit altars set up to honor the dead
7. _____ pan de muerto G. Left on altars for children who have passed
8. _____ sugar skulls H. Holiday brought to Mexico by Spanish invaders
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the BEST answer from the choices provided.
9. The Day of the Dead is most like which of the following?

A. A funeral
B. A birthday party
C. A family reunion
D. Halloween
10. Which best describes the mood of the Day of the Dead?
A. Somber
B. Reflective
C. Morbid
D. Joyous
11. Why are monarch butterflies most important to the Day of the Dead?
A. They are thought to hold the spirits of the deceased.
B. They migrate to Mexico in the winter.
C. They are a symbol of Mexico.
D. They arrive in Mexico during the Day of the Dead.
12.With which statement would the author mostly agree?

A. The Day of the Dead is the same as Halloween in America.
B. The Day of the Dead is an important holiday to many people.
C. The Day of the Dead a somber holiday that remembers those who have
passed.
D. The Day of the Dead is only celebrated in Mexico.
Name_________________________________________
THE DAY OF THE DEAD

Label: Label each item and give two facts about each item.
Item: Item: Item: pan de muerto
Fact: Fact: Fact:
Fact: Fact: Fact:
Item: Item: Item:
Fact: Fact: Fact:
Fact: Fact: Fact:

Day of The Dead Student Version BW

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Day of The Dead Student Version BW

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Day of The Dead Student Version BW

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DAY OF THE DEAD

Dia de los Muertos

Monarch butterflies are important to the Day of the

Sugar skulls, along with toys, are left on altars for

Skeletons, or calacas, of all shapes and materials are

THE DAY OF THE DEAD

2. _____ ofrendas B. Bread of the dead

3. _____ graveyards C. The Day of the Dead occurs in this month

4. _____ monarch D. Flower placed on altars and around graves

5. _____ All Souls’ Day E. Families clean tombstones in these

6. _____ November F. Candlelit altars set up to honor the dead

8. _____ sugar skulls H. Holiday brought to Mexico by Spanish invaders

9. The Day of the Dead is most like which of the following?

12.With which statement would the author mostly agree?

THE DAY OF THE DEAD

Item: Item: Item: pan de muerto

Fact: Fact: Fact:

Fact: Fact: Fact:

Item: Item: Item:

Fact: Fact: Fact:

Fact: Fact: Fact:

©Teaching to the Middle

You might also like