Lesson Plans

LESSON: A CULTURAL CELEBRATATION!
Grades: 1-4
Subject Areas: Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Art
Estimated Time: Two 45-minute sessions

Summary: With a father from Puerto Rico and mother from Mexico, Maya and Miguel’s lives are rich in multicultural languages and traditions. Maya and Miguel’s grandmother, Abuela Elena, also plays an integral role in providing her grandchildren with authentic cultural experiences, so they can grow up appreciating the richness of their diverse heritage. In this lesson, English Language Learners and English language speakers explore the Mexican ritual of Dia de Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead.

(Please note that if you are not comfortable with this celebration, Cinco de Mayo is another celebration of Mexican culture that you and your students could explore.)

II. Objectives:

• To become aware of the traditions associated with a Mexican holiday
• To make sugar skulls using math measurement and artistic expression
• To use conversational English and Spanish (or a student’s own native language) vocabulary to share perspectives and cultural understanding

III. Materials: Sugar Skull and Royal Icing recipe (listed below); Printout - Follow the Butterflies.

IV. Procedure: (Session One)

Before presenting information about this Mexican celebration, ask students to share perspectives about holidays that their own families celebrate. Continue by introducing students to the Day of the Dead by reading this brief description to them:

Just as Halloween is ending in the United States, one of Mexico’s most important holidays, the Day of the Dead, is just beginning. Actually, there are two days of celebration: One for departed children, on November 1, and the other for departed adults, on November 2. During this time, it is believed that spirits return home to visit with family and friends. Preparations begin weeks before the ritual as families create altars in their homes, prepare favorite foods, and decorate grave sites with flowers and candles to honor and celebrate the departed. By preparing altars and keeping a vigil at the cemetery, it is believed that the spirits of the departed will return to be close to their loved ones again during this short period of time each year.

Provide opportunities for your students to identify ingredients using math measurement by participating in preparing authentic Day of the Dead sugar skulls or “calaveras.” Share with students that in Mexico, skulls are thought of as funny and friendly, not scary and spooky. During the Day of the Dead celebrations, sugar skulls are placed on altars and taken to the cemetery to honor departed loved ones. Children also have fun trading personalized skulls with each other. The following recipe is an authentic “hands-on” experience and does not require a mold.
Teach math concepts before making sugar skulls and icing by helping students identify marks on a measuring cup and recognize that a teaspoon is a measuring tool. Show students ingredient information (weight, ounces, etc.) on sugar packaging. Invite students to participate in mixing ingredients by using these standard units of measurement.

Ingredients for Sugar Skulls (makes about 20 small skulls, or Calaveras)

• 5 pounds of powdered sugar
• 20 egg whites
• 10 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• 2 - 1/2 teaspoons of cream of tarter
• pinch of salt
• cornstarch (enough to dust rolled balls with)

In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites, slowly adding cream of tarter and pinch of salt until peaks form. Add powdered sugar and work with hands to make a semi-firm paste. If mixture is too dry, add small amount of water. If too moist, add more powdered sugar. Roll into balls and dust with cornstarch. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool. Form skull and facial features by hand. Allow to air dry overnight. Variation: For colored skulls, add food coloring to the water BEFORE adding to dry mixture. Tips for making extra fluffy egg whites: Use older eggs; and beat eggs that have been brought to room temperature.

Note: Measurements for powdered sugar: 1-pound box equals approx. 3 1/2 cups, or a 2-pound bag equals 7 cups. (Powdered sugar does not need to be sifted.)

Tips:

• Avoid making sugar skulls on rainy or humid days
• If you are making a skull without a pre-made form, have a picture handy of a skull to look at while shaping
• If a sink is not available in the classroom, fill small containers with water and provide paper towels for finger washing
• Always make a few extra skulls to cover for any accidents that might occur

(Session Two)

Note: Before beginning, refresh students on math measurements from session one.

Ingredients for Icing:

• 15 egg whites
• 5 pound powdered sugar
• 2-1/2 teaspoons of cream of tartar

Using electric mixer, add cream of tarter to egg whites and mix until icing peaks. Fold in powdered sugar. Option: Add small drops of food coloring. Keep in a tightly covered container until used.

Decorating: Handle skull carefully while decorating. For piped icing: Snip corner off of quart-sized food storage bag. Fill half full of icing and softly squeeze to make designs. Other ideas: Use canned icing; use finger paint instead of icing; use coconut colored with food coloring for hair, eyebrows, and whiskers.

V. Assessment: Students should successfully demonstrate perspectives and cultural understanding of the Mexican celebration the Day of the Dead in English, Spanish or their own native language. Students should actively participate in making sugar skulls by using math measurements and artistic expression.

VI. Extensions in Learning:

• Did you know that it is believed that when Monarch butterflies return to Mexico in the autumn, after spending their summer in North America, they are thought to bring home the spirits for the Day of the Dead? Find out more about the migration of Monarchs by using the printout Follow the Butterflies.
• Learn how other cultures celebrate by reading: How I Celebrate: A Young Child’s Guide to Celebrations of the World by Pam Robson (Ages 6-10).
• Watch Maya & Miguel episode "La Calavera."

Related National Standards (These are established by McREL at URL: http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks/.)

Language Arts

• Relates new information to prior knowledge and experience
• Makes contributions in class and group discussions (e.g., reports on ideas and personal knowledge about a topic, initiates conversations, connects ideas and experiences with those of others)

Math

• Selects and uses appropriate units of measurement, according to type and size of unit

Visual Arts

• Uses visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas
• Knows that the visual arts have both a history and a specific relationship to various cultures

Behavioral Studies (Social Studies)

• Knows that language, stories, folktales, music and artistic creations are expressions of culture

Science

• Knows that an organism's patterns of behavior are related to the nature of that organism's environment (e.g., kinds and numbers of other organisms present, availability of food and resources, physical characteristics of the environment)

Related National Standards for ESL- Grades Pre-K-3 (These are established by TESOL at URL: http://www.tesol.org/assoc/k12standards/it/07.html.)

• Goal 1, Standard 1 - To use English to communicate in social settings: Students will use English to participate in social interactions
• Goal 1, Standard 2 - To use English to communicate in social settings: Students will interact in, through and with spoken and written English for personal expression and enjoyment
• Goal 3, Standard 3 - To use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways: Students will use appropriate learning strategies to extend their sociolinguistic and sociocultural competence