Social Studies3-5
Día de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life
By Erin C.
A slide-based presentation for 3rd graders that introduces Día de los Muertos as a joyful family tradition of remembrance rather than a scary holiday. Students build cultural awareness and vocabulary while working through a notice-and-wonder discussion, with teacher speaker notes included for each slide.
Customize for your classroom
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a 30-40 minute whole-class introduction to cultural traditions, opening with Slide 1 and reading the speaker notes aloud to set a warm, curious tone.
- Discussion question: When you hear the word 'dead,' what feelings come to mind, and how does this celebration change those feelings?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: pre-teach key Spanish words such as 'Día de los Muertos,' 'ofrenda,' and 'calaveras,' and pair students with a partner for the notice-and-wonder slide.
- Extension for advanced students: have them compare Día de los Muertos with a remembrance tradition from their own family or community, drawing or writing about similarities and differences.
Social Studies3-5
Día de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life
By Erin C.
A slide-based presentation for 3rd graders that introduces Día de los Muertos as a joyful family tradition of remembrance rather than a scary holiday. Students build cultural awareness and vocabulary while working through a notice-and-wonder discussion, with teacher speaker notes included for each slide.
Customize for your classroom
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Use this as a 30-40 minute whole-class introduction to cultural traditions, opening with Slide 1 and reading the speaker notes aloud to set a warm, curious tone.
- Discussion question: When you hear the word 'dead,' what feelings come to mind, and how does this celebration change those feelings?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: pre-teach key Spanish words such as 'Día de los Muertos,' 'ofrenda,' and 'calaveras,' and pair students with a partner for the notice-and-wonder slide.
- Extension for advanced students: have them compare Día de los Muertos with a remembrance tradition from their own family or community, drawing or writing about similarities and differences.