The Day of the Dead 2023 Teaching Resources
Get ready for the Day of the Dead 2023 with teacher-created Día de Los Muertos resources ready for your elementary classroom! Mark the fall holiday with printables, writing activities, and more.
Are you just learning about the Día de Los Muertos yourself? Although Mexican Americans have celebrated the Day of the Dead for hundreds of years here in America, many others are just learning about this centuries-old tradition.
Our teacher team has pulled together some of the most important things for teachers to know to help educate your students on all things Day of the Dead.
Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is the Day of the Dead?
Known as el Día de Los Muertos in Spanish, the Day of the Dead is a fall holiday that originates in Mexico where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives once a year. The centuries-old holiday is traditionally observed around Halloween and can also be called All Souls Day.
Many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrate the Day of the Dead by leaving offerings on their loved ones’ graves or creating altars called ofrendas in their homes with candles and marigolds. Celebrations of el Día de Los Muertos may also include brightly colored Calaveras or sugar skulls, which are used to honor those who have passed on.
When Is the Day of the Dead 2023?
The Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated November 1 into November 2. In 2023, Dia de Los Muertos will be marked on a Wednesday into a Thursday.
How Do You Teach About the Day of the Dead?
Teaching your students about Day of the Dead with Día de los Muertos activities is a great way to foster empathy in the classroom as well as educating students about the Mexican tradition. Some ways to celebrate include:
- Learning Day of the Dead vocabulary
- Exploring the history of the Día de los Muertos holiday
- Decorating sugar skulls or calaveras de azucar.
- Discussing the difference between Día de los Muertos and Halloween
Día de Los Muertos Facts for Kids
Looking for a few facts about Día de Los Muertos to share with your class this year to introduce them to this Mexican holiday? Here are some must-shares for your class to help them better understand what the day is all about.
- The Day of the Dead is not the same as Halloween. Although the holidays are celebrated in close proximity to one another, they have different origins and different means of being celebrated.
- Although it is called the Day of the Dead, Día de Los Muertos is not a solemn day of mourning. Instead, the holiday is truly celebrated with festive activities that vary from region to region in Mexico. Mexican American families who celebrate likewise may carry on different traditions passed down through generations.
- The origins of this holiday are believed to date back thousands of years to the Aztecs and Mayans.
- The marigold is the traditional flower of Día de Los Muertos, and you will see the colorful yellow blooms at many celebrations.
- Free Plan
The Day of the Dead Word Search
Introduce vocabulary surrounding the Mexican holiday known as “The Day of the Dead” with a printable word search.
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The Day of the Dead for Kids - Reading Comprehension Test
Read and learn about the Mexican holiday, Dia De Los Muertos, with printable 4th grade reading comprehension worksheets.
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Halloween vs. Dia de Los Muertos - Differentiated Paired Passages
Integrate reading, writing, and celebration of world cultures with differentiated paired passages comparing Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.
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What is Dia de Los Muertos? Instructional Slide Deck
Promote cultural awareness and learn about the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead with an instructional slide deck.
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Day of the Dead Coloring Pages
Promote cultural awareness and create your own Day of the Dead decorations with Dia de Los Muertos coloring pages.
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Day of the Dead Decor - Papel Picado Template
Promote cultural awareness and create your own Day of the Dead decorations with a printable Papel Picado template.
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Day of the Dead - Skeleton Craft Activity
Promote cultural awareness make a Dancing Calavera craft for Dia de Muertos.
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Day of the Dead - Sugar Skull Mask Template
Promote cultural awareness and introduce Dia de Muertos to your students with a Sugar Skull mask craft.
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Dia De Muertos Vocabulary and Writing Prompts
Learn and use the language of Mexican tradition with a Dia de Los Muertos vocabulary word wall and writing activity.
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Dia de Los Muertos - The Day of the Dead Printable Book
Promote cultural awareness and learn about the Mexican holiday of Dia de Muertos or the Day of the Dead.
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Templates
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Worksheets
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Craft Activities
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Writing Templates
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Instructional Slide Decks
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Puzzles
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Coloring Pages
- The Day of the Dead 2023 Word Walls
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for Pre-K
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for Kindergarten
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 1st Grade
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 2nd Grade
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 3rd Grade
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 4th Grade
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 5th Grade
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 6th Grade
- The Day of the Dead 2023 for 7th Grade