Students at the Swain, Downtown, and Merle-Smith Campus learned about and celebrated Día de los Muertos during the holiday on November 1 - November 2, 2022. 

At the Downtown Campus...
Ms. Katie MacMillan shared:

Spanish 6 classes finished their culture unit on Día de Muertos in a variety of ways.  After studying the history and importance of the symbols students visited Kindergarten classes to teach about the happy celebration of the holiday, and the importance of the Calavera de Azúcar or sugar skulls. 

They helped the Kindergarten decorate their own "sugar skulls" in the traditional style.  Students also gave an overview of the holiday at a 6th-grade morning gathering, explaining the importance of the symbols, tasting some Pan de Muerto, and teaching their classmates how to make Tissue Paper Marigolds.  They also celebrated the holiday by helping prepare and decorate the in-class ofrenda, which they decorated with Tissue Paper Marigolds, photos of deceased loved ones, bright candles, Pan de Muerto, and their own Calaveras de Azúcar.  ¡Bien hecho Español 6!

At the Swain Campus...

Spanish teacher Johanna Ordonez taught students about Day of the Dead. She said, "We are learning that Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory. My students are making pictures to put on the altar as an ofrenda for Frida Khalo."

At the Merle-Smith Campus...

Profe Gonzalo del Real's students made individual ofrendas that they presented to their class. Then, they displayed one large ofrenda outside of the Main Office for the entire campus to see. The ofrenda was so impressive, that it even caught the attention of the American Association for Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Photos were published to the AATSP Facebook group, and later this month, Profe del Real will take over AATSP social media to share the activities happening in his class.