Easy ways to celebrate Day of the Dead in Secondary school

The end of October, beginning of November sees a popular celebration in Mexico called the Day of the Dead festival (or Dia de los Muertos) whereby Mexicans remember and honour their deceased loved ones. I think this is such a positive and uplifting way to look at the end of life!

You may already know that I'm a huge fan of positive quotes which can really uplift spirits (golly, no pun intended - honest!) and so in honour of this celebration, I have for you a pack of 10 positive quotes to celebrate the Day of the Dead for your students to colour in and hang up in your classroom! Not only is this activity an enjoyable way to celebrate this holiday, but these specific quotes could be really helpful in helping students who have ever had to deal with the loss of a loved one or a pet. 

Here are some fun ways you can use these pennants to celebrate this day with your secondary students too!

1) If you're familiar with my resources, you may be aware that I'm a huge fan of colouring therapy, especially when combined with positive quotes! 

There are so many studies that prove the effectiveness of colouring by reducing stress and helping with concentration. If you're interested in learning more about this, check out this page all about mindfulness colouring!

So it would definitely be beneficial for your students to take time relaxing and colouring these pennants in, and as they do so they can be quietly reflecting on the positive quotes and be remembering the good times shared with their loved ones.

​These then make excellent decor for the classroom or along the corridors for all to enjoy and be inspired by!

2) You could offer your students the opportunity to personalise this activity by using the back of the pennants to create a memory page of their loved ones.

They can describe fond memories of this person or pet, draw pictures, write a poem etc - let them choose how they would like to express their memories!

They could even sit with a friend as they do this and talk through some of the good memories with someone they trust.

3) If your students are feeling brave, you could ask them to present their pennants and share their memories of their loved ones.

Speaking out loud about them in this positive way can be very therapeutic and healing! But of course, I'd give them the choice as for some students they may wish to keep this activity personal and private which is totally fine too!

4) Finally, this day is an ideal opportunity to teach about culture! You could get students to research more about the origins of this festival and add some facts to the back of the pennants.

There is also an opportunity to discuss how grief and mourning are celebrated in different cultures too and how Mexico differs with most customs we might be familiar with. 

They could then write an assignment or create a project on what they have discovered for homework, and share whether learning about this festival has changed their views towards death and why.

I hope you have found at least one easy and effective way for you to not only celebrate Day of the Dead, but also infuse art and culture into your lessons all while supporting students' emotional well-being too!