Spanish 1 class learns about Día de los muertos
The Spanish 1 class has been learning about Día de los muertos, a holiday celebrated primarily in Mexico. They believe that the spirits of their deceased family and friends return to earth one day each year (November 2) to eat, drink & be merry, just like they did when they were living. To welcome the spirits and make them comfortable during their visit on earth, each family prepares an ofrenda in their home. It is a festive display of traditional items (marigolds, a cross, salt, a wash basin/water, food, incense, etc.) as well as personal items (a portrait, the deceased's favorite food, drink, toys, etc.). When we've decorated ofrendas the past, usually each student has created their own ofrenda; most students make one for a grandparent or sometimes there's a student who hasn't lost anyone they know so they make an ofrenda for a celebrity who's passed. This year, however, the class opted to make one together for their classmate Austin Matthies who passed away in February. We reminisced about fun memories of him as we planned what personal items would best reflect him to place on the ofrenda. Not only did we learn about this Mexican tradition, but we're grateful that it provided us an opportunity to remember our friend Austin as well :)
