At the Frenship Ninth Grade Center, more than 700 students embraced Mexican and Latin American culture by celebrating Día de los Muertos in their Spanish classes. Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1 and 2 as a way to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
The traditionally Mexican holiday traces back to the Aztecs and has evolved over the years, becoming widely celebrated across the United States and other parts of Latin America. While Día de los Muertos honors passed loved ones, this holiday is not about mourning but about celebrating life, with families creating altars (ofrendas) filled with photos, candles, marigolds, and favorite foods of the deceased. Sugar skulls (calaveras), papel picado (colorful cut paper), and other symbolic decorations represent the joy and vibrancy of life.
The Spanish students at the Ninth Grade Center were able to immerse themselves into the holiday and connect language learning with cultural exploration. Each class participated in lessons and activities designed to bring the holiday to life, helping students practice their Spanish in a meaningful context while learning about the significance of the holiday.
Each student chose from a range of hands-on projects to explore different aspects of the celebration. The classrooms were decorated with Tapetes, Nichos, and Ofrendas as the students dove it their Día de los Muertos projects.
Some students made Tapetes which are colorful mats out of materials like tissue paper, rice, or sawdust, similar to those used in public celebrations and processions. Several small dioramas or shadow boxes, called nichos, displayed items in tribute to the deceased. Students could also design their own mini altars or Ofrendas, with symbolic offerings like photos, candles, marigolds, and favorite foods or drinks of the departed.
Zenia Hicks, a Spanish teacher at the Ninth Grade Center, stated that these projects allowed the students to use creativity to learn about the cultural practices associated with Día de los Muertos, making the holiday more tangible and memorable.
“It provides students with cultural awareness," said Hicks. “An in-depth understanding of Mexican and Latin American traditions, helping them appreciate the cultural context in which the Spanish language is spoken.”
The students are able to practice vocabulary related to the holiday, like "calaveras", "ofrenda", "pan de muerto", and "cempasúchil" (marigolds). This helps them connect the language they are learning with real-world cultural practices. The holiday’s focus on remembering passed loved ones and celebrating life offers an opportunity to reflect on themes of memory, family, and tradition—values that resonate across cultures.
By teaching about Día de los Muertos, students not only improve their Spanish language skills but also gain valuable cultural insight and a greater appreciation for the diversity of traditions in the Spanish-speaking world.
The Spanish teachers dressed in Catrina costumes to help bring the holiday to life in a visual and immersive way, making the lesson even more engaging and festive for students. The Catrina is an elegant skeleton figure dressed in lavish clothing and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Día de los Muertos. The face paint is often brightly colored, with floral patterns, and represents both the cyclical nature of life and death and the joyful spirit of the holiday.
“The festive atmosphere created by us dressing up in Catrina makeup and traditional clothing helped students connect with the material in a fun, memorable way,” said Hicks.
Hicks stated that the students really enjoyed the hands-on nature of the Día de los Muertos projects. The visual and interactive aspects of the lesson made it more engaging and gave students a deeper understanding of the holiday’s significance. Whether making tapetes, nichos, or altars, the students were able to actively participate and express their creativity while learning about an important cultural holiday.
“Incorporating this holiday into Spanish classes is more than just about learning vocabulary,” said Hicks. “It’s about understanding the cultural stories and values that shape the language.”
By exploring Día de los Muertos, the students gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures, all while practicing their language skills in a meaningful, creative way.