Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful  Latin American holiday that celebrates the life of loved ones who have passed away.  At TTE third grade students create Sugar Skulls (Calaveras) in honor of somebody important to them who has passed. Students were also given the option to to remember a friend or loved one who lives far away as well as beloved pets who have passed.

Students choose who they would like to remember for the project and then create their Calaveras out of white clay. 

Clay Calaveras before being decorated

Once clay is hardened students create their designs to represent the lives of their chosen loved one using a limited pallet as well as traditional and student created symbols.  "Sugar" is applied using a special paste and clear glitter.

Finished Calaveras, decorated and sugared

Students created a backing out of different colored mat-board complete with a name plate for display. They finished the project by writing about their who they chose to remember. 

Below are some close-up pictures of various Calaveras that were created by 3rd Grade students