Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a vibrant and joyful Mexican tradition where families gather to remember and celebrate their loved ones who have passed away. During this special occasion, colorful calaveras, or skulls, are created as symbols of the cycle of life and death. Inspired by the magical world depicted in the movie Coco, we embarked on an exciting art project with 2nd and 3rd graders, allowing them to explore this rich cultural celebration through creativity and imagination.
Understanding Day of the Dead
Día de los Muertos, celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd, is a time to honor departed souls. Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, candles, and the favorite foods of the departed. It’s believed that during this period, the spirits of the deceased return to the world of the living to enjoy these offerings and the company of their families.
In the movie Coco, the importance of family, memory, and tradition is beautifully portrayed. Miguel, the protagonist, embarks on a magical journey to the Land of the Dead, where he discovers the significance of his ancestors and their connection to his own passions and dreams. In my class, I actually show the preview of the movie (check it out below!) because I love the quick overview it gives about Day of the Dead being a day when spirits can visit. I also love the imagery of the spirit world and all of the references it includes, such as alibrije spirit guide animals, altars, papel picado (check out this awesome Paper Picado lesson!) and more.
The Creative Process
Our young artists embraced this cultural celebration by creating their own calaveras. Check out the Youtube video for the full description, but here's a write-up of how they did it:
1. Step-by-Step Drawing: With permanent markers, students carefully drew a skull, learning about its basic structure and unique features.
2. Creative Decorations: Adding their personal touch, students decorated their skulls with vibrant flowers, dots, hearts, and more, expressing their individual creativity.
3. Coloring Carefully: Crayons were skillfully used to add color using crayon, bringing the skulls to life with bright and bold hues.
4. Cutting Out the Skull: Using scissors, students cut out their decorated skulls, ensuring precision and attention to detail.
5. Floral Adornments: Flowers were drawn on colorful Astrobright paper, carefully cut out, and later glued around the skulls, enhancing the visual appeal of their creations.
6. Assembling the Final Piece: The adorned skulls and flowers were delicately glued onto a final piece of paper, creating a beautiful and cohesive artwork that celebrated the spirit of Day of the Dead.
Educational Integration
This art project perfectly aligns with the National Art Education Association (NAEA) elementary art standards, emphasizing the creative process, connections to cultural traditions, presentation of ideas, and thoughtful responses to art. Additionally, our project aligns with Wisconsin Art Education Elementary Standards, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching learning experience.
Here are the specific NAEA (National Art Education Association) standards that are addressed in the art project:
1. Creating: Students conceive and create artworks that express their feelings and ideas, using a variety of media, techniques, and processes.
2. Connecting: Students connect their art-making to other disciplines and to personal experiences, demonstrating an understanding of human achievement in the arts.
3. Presenting: Students develop and present their artwork and discuss their processes, ideas, and the contexts that informed their work.
4. Responding: Students respond to their own artwork and to the artwork of others, demonstrating their understanding of the work's meanings and purposes.
By engaging in the step-by-step process of creating calaveras inspired by Day of the Dead, students actively participate in these NAEA standards, fostering their artistic skills, creativity, and cultural awareness.
Digital Creativity
As a final project, students will explore the digital realm by creating their own calavera using Keynote, a versatile presentation tool. They will also produce a Clips video, explaining their art project for their Pages art portfolio. This integration of technology not only enhances their digital skills but also provides a platform for them to showcase their creativity to a wider audience.
Conclusion
Through this artistic journey, our 2nd and 3rd graders not only learned about the rich cultural heritage of Day of the Dead but also embraced their creativity and individuality. Inspired by the traditions depicted in Coco, they embarked on a colorful adventure, creating beautiful calaveras that reflect the essence of this vibrant celebration. As their artworks adorn our classroom, they serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring our past, celebrating our present, and embracing our creativity as we continue to learn and grow together.
Commentaires