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Ih America, we usually think of death in association with fear, black, mourning, sadness, cold, colorless, and scary. We use skulls for Halloween decorations.
In Mexico, death is seen differently. The Day of the Dead is a celebration of people and loved ones that have passes on. It is a time to reflect on who they were, what they liked and stories of them.
Alters are built to commemorate the loved ones gone. Hope in their hearts, knowing that the ones they love are safe in the afterlife. These alters hold flowers, gifts, food, photos and things that belonged to the individual that died.
Death at this time is seen as joyous, colorful, memorable, happy, warm and wonderful.
People dress up and paint their faces as skeletons, Candy skulls are made for sweet treats.
People restore the cemeteries and decorate them with life. Parties are held there. People dance in the s street, play music and celebrate.
This project will allow us to see death in a different way and to appreciate how other cultures celebrate this holiday. Even though we may not all believe the same way, we can learn and appreciate how others around us do.
There have been movies made recently that include elements of this celebration..
Want to learn more...?
Watch this video.
Good video for Middle Schoolers
Mineola Middle School
Student Art
6th grade Fall 2021
Jacob, Jazmyn, Steven,
Evelyn, Jose & Emily
Evelyn, Jose & Emily
Gavin & Cason
Envy & Kylar
Envy & Kylar
Aron
Kelly
Mix of 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 9th period
(below)
Kendall, NoName (1st period), Nathalie, Preciosa,
Marco, Georgia, Saphyra & Moses
Tania, Krissie, NoName (1st), Chance,
Breanna, Chris, Maiyah, Briana
Lyndie, Chevelle, Riley, Shayla,
Moises, Lucy, Kaleece& Maleighna
Addyson & Yuka
3rd period Art
Carie A., Josilen M. & Bailee
Danielle, Caroline & Maxx
5th period art
Giovanni,Dax, Brielle,
Ruben, Bella & Kaige
Ruben, Bella & Kaige
DAY OF THE DEAD SKULLS BELOW ARE MADE by
4th graders of KRAHN ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Meleski's 4th grade class
Alec, Kelci, Shelby,
Renard, Alexis & Addison.
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Mrs. Bennett's 4th graders
Kim, Maddie, Sarah, Sebastian,
Samuel, Roman, Marvin & Sunshyne
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Mrs. Davidson's 4th grade class
No Name, Jocelyn, Ria, Chance,
Ashton, Jason, Jesse & Michael
Ayden, DelMarlo, Eliza, Michaella,
Sara, NoName, Kayleigh & Carlos
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Mrs. Clouse's 4th grade class
Patch, Valery & Erin
Mrs. Mathai's 3rd grade class
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Mrs. Ahmed's 4th graders 2018
Kaydee, Christy, Martin, Anonymous,
Jake, Reggie, MY & Caiden
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR SKULL?
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Easy Skull
Step by Step
or Follow Along...
Medium Skull
Advanced Skull
Print out a simple and large image of a skull.
Cut it in half. Let the students draw only this half on folded paper with a pencil.
Make sure the fold of the paper is on the same side as the center of the skull.
Outline with a marker.
Make sure that you draw light till you know it's right.
Then you can go darker with a marker.
Get this poster for FREE on my TeachersPayTeachers store....
It should look like this when done.
Trace image while folded to the other side with a pencil.
It helps to hold it up to a light box, window or display case if possible.
Outline the other half of the skull with marker now to complete the symmetry of the skull.
ART CHALLENGE!
For older students (6-8th grade), have them add shading at this point
after the lively designs are drawn. This will add a three dimensional quality to the skull.
Cut out skull and glue down to small construction paper.
Glue down this small piece to a larger piece.
Use a pencil to decorate the skull, border and inside the border.
You can make it a man (add mustache, hat or bow tie)
or a woman (flowers in hair, lipstick, eyelashes, etc.).
COLOR CHALLENGE
(for 6-8th grade)
Use darker colors to create value on decorations.
Add lighter analogous colors layered on top to create color blending!
(ABOVE: red with yellow, green with yellow & orange with yellow)
Use crayons on the construction paper
to color and decorate the art with bright and joyful colors.
CONSTRUCTION PAPER CRAYONS are idea.
My Daughter, Maisy 5th grade
--Mrs. Morgan---
November 6, 1979- ?
How will you be remembered?
I challenged some students to decide how they want to be remembered.
In Mexico, they have altares de muertos or ofrendas set to honor and remember their dead relatives.
If your memory was being honored, what would be on your memorial table?
How would you want to be remembered?
You can use this as a self portrait to reflect on what you want for your life.
Include what you love or symbols of your life in your design.
