1. Día de los Muertos

2. ????? What is it? What is it? Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexico holiday honoring the dead. When is it? When is it? It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Where is it celebrated? Where is it celebrated? It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background. It is celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background.

3. Traditions- Altars In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. In the homes families arrange ofrenda's or "altars" with flowers, bread, fruit and candy. Pictures of the deceased family members are added. Altars should include: Altars should include: A picture of the one being remembered A picture of the one being remembered Items they were fond of Items they were fond of Something to snack on Something to snack on Candles Candles Flowers Flowers Gifts Gifts

4. Traditions: Food Pan de los Muertos Pan de los Muertos Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones. Special loaves of bread are baked, called pan de muertos, and decorated with "bones.

5. Traditions: Flowers During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. During los Dias de los Muertos the yellow marigold symbolizes the short duration of life. Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites. Wreaths made of flowers, both real and plastic, are often placed on the grave sites.

6. Traditions: Papel Picado Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. Papel Picado is a traditional art used to decorate homes, businesses, markets and altars in preparation for the Day of the Dead. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns. The thin tissue paper images are usually cut in large quantities and hung in repetitious patterns.

7. Traditions: Skeletons Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Skeletons and skulls are found everywhere. Chocolate skulls, marzipan coffins, and white chocolate skeletons. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife. Handmade skeleton figurines, called calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife.

8. Links Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students Día de los Muertos: For Teachers and Students http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/teachers/ Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead Common misconceptions about the Day of the Dead http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm http://www.inside-mexico.com/noes.htm History, Traditions, and Significance History, Traditions, and Significance http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/dead.htm