1. Español I - Sr. Johnston
miércoles, el treinta y uno de octubre del 2012
La noche de brujas!

2. ¿Un, una, unos o unas?
Pick the correct indefinite article (can be more than one choice).

3. • p. 15, act. 1 ¿Singular or plural? If the word is
singular, make it plural. If it is plural, make it
singular.
• p. 15, act. 2 Identificar For each drawing,
provide the noun with its corresponding
definite and indefinite articles.
1.1-3

5. ¿Qué es?
• What is it?
– Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico
holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time,
but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.
• When is it?
– It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the
Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st
and 2nd).
• Where is it celebrated?
– It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in
Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic
background. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated in areas of the
United States, such as California, Texas, and many others, in which the
Mexican/American heritage exists.

6. Traditions: Ofrendas
• In the homes families arrange
ofrenda's with flowers, bread,
fruit and candy. Pictures of the
deceased family members are
added. In the late afternoon
special all night burning candles
are lit - it is time to remember
the departed - the old ones,
their parents and grandparents.
• Ofrendas should include:
– A picture of the one being
remembered
– Items they were fond of
– Something to snack on
– Candles
– Flowers
– Gifts
– Poems or messages

7. Traditions: Comida
• Pan de los Muertos
– Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos,
and decorated with "bones.

8. Traditions: Flores
• During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold
symbolizes the short duration of life.
• Other flowers commonly seen during this celebration
include the white amaryllis, wild orchids, baby's breath and
ruby coxcombs are offered as adornment and enticement
for the returning spirits.
• Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often
placed on the grave sites.

9. Traditions: Papel Picado
• Papel Picado is a traditional
art used to decorate homes,
businesses, markets and
altars in preparation for the
Day of the Dead.
• The thin tissue paper images
are usually cut in large
quantities and hung in
repetitious patterns.

10. Traditions: Calaveras
• Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere.
Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white
chocolate skeletons.
• Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are
especially popular. Calacas usually show an active
and joyful afterlife. Figures of musicians, generals on
horseback, even skeletal brides, in their white bridal
gowns marching down the aisles with their boney
grooms.

11. • El Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version
of Halloween. Mexicans have celebrated the Day
of the Dead since the year 1800 B.C.
• It is not scary or morbid. There are no pictures or
images of dead people, ghosts, witches, or the
devil.
• The Day of the Dead is not a cult. This ritual has
nothing to do with cults. It is a Catholic Christian
ritual intermixed with folk culture. Going to mass
is an essential aspect of this celebration.
• It doesn’t honor death, but our dead relatives. We
welcome the opportunity to reflect upon our lives,
our heritage, our ancestors and the meaning and
purpose of our own existence.

12. • Altars or ofrendas are not for worshiping but for
offering our love and remembering our departed
family members.
• It is not a sad ritual. It’s a day of happiness because
we will be remembering our loved ones. Although
when in the graveyard, people assume an
introspective attitude.
• The Day of the Dead is about Love not Fear.
• It is not a “strange” ritual. It is very similar to going to
a grave and leaving flowers or stuffed animals, lighting
a candle to remember the deceased.
• It is not a careless or fearless confrontation of death. It
is a moment to reflect upon one’s life and the cycle of
life and death.

13. Let’s celebrate our loved ones
• We will make our own ofrendas to pay respect and
celebrate loved ones we have lost.
• Start by picking someone to honor (relative, friend,
celebrity, even a made-up figure).
• Complete the Outline.
• Brainstorm together – what different elements do
we need to bring together to have our ofrendas
ready by Friday?