November 2 is known as Day of the Dead, or El Dia de los Muertos, a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico. Although it seems like it might be spooky, because it coincides with Halloween, Day of the Dead is, indeed, spirit-filled, but is celebratory, rather than spooky. On this day, families remember and pray for loved ones who have died. They go to the cemetery and have a picnic at the burial site of loved ones. They will also make an altar in their home, known as an offrenda. Just like Halloween has special symbols associated with it, El Dia de los Muertos also has images that represent the holiday, such as sugar skulls, decorated skeletons (they are depicted as happy, because it is perceived life after death is a happier place than here), marigold flowers, traditional cut-out paper decorations, and of course photos of loved ones who have passed.
To bring this celebration to the children, we created an offrenda in the foyer at school.
Children and families were invited to participate in this celebration by bringing in photos of the special people (and/or pets) in their lives who have passed. Photos were ceremonially placed on the altar during each grade's Spanish class. Each class enjoyed pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and mini sugar skulls.
