Students in Mrs. June Sayer's class at the Stratford School got creative by making festive skeleton puppets in honor of Día de Los Muertos. FLES students at Stratford and Stewart Elementary Schools immersed themselves in Day of the Dead activities from October 31st - November 2nd, learning about how this holiday is celebrated in Mexico.

Third Graders read about the tradition of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and discussed the similarities and differences between Halloween and Día de Los Muertos. Then they compared and contrasted the two holidays and completed a Venn diagram. Students learned that Día de los Muertos is not the Mexican Halloween. Instead it is called the celebration of life because the Mexicans view death as a part of life. As a culminating activity, the students colored typical decorative skeletons that would be used in México to adorn the homes and businesses during this popular holiday.

Second Graders read "Celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead with Cristina and Her Blue Bunny". This fictional piece described some of the traditions and symbols used for both holidays. The book also included a non-fictional section with pictures and information comparing both holidays. The students discussed these similarities and differences. They also colored typical decorative skeletons found in México for this extremely festive holiday.

Mrs. Guiry's second grade class posed in front of the Día de Los Muertos bulletin board they created. Students discussed the altars, pan de muerto and sugar skulls, typical Mexican symbols for this holiday. Spanish teacher Mrs. April Cornachio read fourth and fifth grade classes a story about a Mexican girl who is introduced to the holiday and its significance after the death of her grandmother.

Fifth graders viewed a film of the actual celebration as it takes place in the town of Janitzio, Mexico, discussed the significance of the holiday and its traditions, and completed an activity sheet emphasizing these themes.