Day of the Dead Webquest

Introduction:

This webquest explores the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, and the aspects that surround this celebration. The purpose of this lesson is to learn about the activities, history, food, and artists behind this holiday.

The Task:

Your job is to explore various web sites to help in your understanding of Day of the Dead. In a group of 2-3, you will research this information to answer questions and to take notes. You will be using the data to prepare a presentation on Day of the Dead and to create an authentic altar (ofrenda).

The Process:

At the computer:

Read all directions before you click.

Activity One (See teacher's note #1)

Choose your group. No more than 3 people to a group.
Print the Day of the Dead Quest Sheet
Click on the Day of the Dead Information site. Answer the questions on your Quest sheet.

Activity Two

Print the Food Quest Sheet.
Click on the Dia de los Muertos site. Once there, click on food. Answer the questions on your Food Quest Sheet.

Activity Three

Print the Wordplay Quest Sheet.
Click on the Dia de los Muertos site. Once there, click on history. Using the glossary of words, complete the Wordplay sheet.

Activity Four

Click on the Dia de los Muertos site. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on photos. In the large window, click on next to look at all the pictures. Be patient, the pictures may take a long time to download.
Choose a picture and write a paragraph that answers the following questions:

How does the photograph make you feel?
What are some of the objects you see in the pictures?
What do you like or dislike about the photograph? Be specific.

Be sure to write the name of the photograph on your paper. This is located at the bottom left hand corner of the photo.

Activity Five

Click on the Dia de los Muertos site. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on altar. In the small window on the left is a photograph of an altar with numbered areas. Click on the numbers to find out each item.
Take notes!!! You will be constructing your own authentic altar.

Activity Six

Click on the Dia de los Muertos site. Once there, click on events. At the top of the event screen, find and click on timeline.
Create your own illustrated timeline on a clean sheet of paper. Your timeline should show drawn pictures of the activities that occur on each day. Be creative!!

In the classroom:

Activity One

Using your notes and Quest sheets, prepare a presentation of Day of the Dead.

You should include information on the following topics:

Activities
History
Food
Artists
Altars

Activity Two

Using your notes and Quest sheets, create an authentic altar to a person who has passed away. This person could be someone you personally know or someone famous (see teacher's note). Supplies will provided for you.
Prepare a short overview of the significance of the altar. (Who is it for?, What are the parts of the altar?, etc.)

Resources:

Day of the Dead Quest Sheets: View and Print before beginning your webquest.

Paper and Materials needed for timeline, presentation, and altar.

Evaluation:

Student's work will be evaluated on the following areas:

Written work
Presentation
Altar

Using the following criteria:

Work is done cooperatively. See attached sheet for group and individual evaluation.(See teacher's note #8)
Work is done in a timely manner.
Information is accurate and appropriate.
Presentation is well planned and informative.
Altar project is creative and organized.

Conclusion:

After completing the Quest sheets, listening to the presentations and altar descriptions, and viewing drawings and photographs, you should have a better understanding of Day of the Dead and everything that is involved with this holiday.

Day of the Dead Webquest was designed and researched by Melanie Stella, a Spanish Teacher at Welborn Middle School (Guilford County), High Point, NC

GCS WebQuests