Have you ever wondered how Halloween and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) are alike and different? Although both celebrations take place around the same time of year, they have different histories, traditions, and meanings. In this Mini Spark, you will watch a video and explore how these two celebrations compare. You will discover how traditions reflect the history and beliefs of different cultures.
Spark Your Learning!
1: Set up your Social Studies Mini Spark recording page: #76: Día de los Muertos vs. Halloween
2: Watch the video about Día de los Muertos and Halloween.
3: Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two celebrations.
Include at least 3 details in each section.
- Halloween Only: What traditions, activities, or symbols are unique to Halloween?
- Both Celebrations: What traditions, symbols, or ideas do the celebrations share?
- Día de los Muertos Only: What traditions, activities, or symbols are unique to Día de los Muertos?
4: Think Deeper! Answer one of the following questions using 2+ complete sentences.
- What is the main purpose of Día de los Muertos? How is it different from the main purpose of Halloween?
- How do traditions help people remember their history and celebrate their culture?
- Why is it important to learn about celebrations from cultures different from your own?
- If you could ask someone who celebrates Día de los Muertos one question about the holiday, what would you ask and why?
5: OPTIONAL: Imagine you are creating a museum exhibit about Halloween and Día de los Muertos.
Write a short paragraph explaining one important similarity and two important differences between the celebrations. Include details from the video to support your ideas.
6: Turn in your Mini Spark to your teacher or EY Coordinator!
LESSON ADAPTED FROM BRIAN TOLINTINO