Lesson Plan—Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Activity
Topic: Creating ‘Day of the Dead’ Sugar Skulls
Subject: Art and Social Studies
Grade Level: 2-3
Approx. Time Required:
art preparation time—1 hour (approx.)
classroom activity time—1 hour (approx.)
Introduction:
“Sugar Skulls are a traditional folk art from Southern Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead.
Mounds of colorful sugar skulls are sold by Indian vendors in open-air village markets during the
week preceding the holiday. Spirits of the dead are welcomed back to their homes with
beautifully decorated altars made by their loved ones. Sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, incense
and special foods adorn home altars.
Families take the flowers and sugar skulls to the cemetery to decorate the tombs on November
2. Sugar skulls are colorfully decorated with icing; pieces of bright foil, colored sugars and
usually bear the name of the deceased loved one being honored. They are easy to make by
children and adults, and if kept dry, they can last a year” (http://www.mexicansugarskull.com)
Online Nevada (ONE): Hispanic/Latino Folklife in Southern Nevada
Most Mexican associations are active participants in the annual Clark County Festival, which
celebrates the Mexican Dia de Muertos on the first and second days of November. The “Life in
Death Festival” was created in 2001 to preserve the Dia de Muertos (“Day of the Dead”)
tradition. The festivity offers Mexican music, dance, and food, plus the opportunity to learn
about ofrendas (“offerings”)—altars which participants construct to honor their ancestors. Also
included in this celebration is the reading of Calaveras (literally “skulls”), which are satirical
poems dedicated to living community leaders and politicians as if they were dead. The festival
brings together most of the Mexican folklorico dance groups of Las Vegas including Ballet
Mexicano de Martha Luevano (the oldest folklorico group in the city), Mexico Vivo Dance
Company, Xyachimal, Tepuchcalli, Izel, Le Dance Company, Grupo Guerrerence, Danza del
Carrizo, Los Viejitos de Patzcuaro, Grupo Perla Tapatia, Los Viejitos de Corupo, and the Arturo
Cambeiro Senior Dance Group.
Nevada Standards:
Visual Art Standards:
1.0: Students know and apply visual arts media, techniques, and processes.
2.0 Students use knowledge of visual characteristics, purposes, and functions.
3.0: Students choose, apply, and evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas.
4.0 Students understand the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.
Social Studies Standards:
H1.2.1 Compare the local community with others around the nation.
H1.2.3 Tell why important events, people, and/or customs are marked by holidays.
H1.2.4 Recognize similarities and differences of earlier generations in areas such as work, dress,
manners, stories, games, and festivals.
H1.2.5 Compare communities around the world with the local community.
H1.2.6 Explain why important events, people, and/or customs from around the world are
marked by holidays.
H1.3.1 Learn about individuals in their community and discuss their contributions.
H1.3.2 Use artifacts and primary sources and investigate how individuals and families
contributed to the founding and development of local communities.
Student Learning Goals/Objectives:
Students will identify cultural aspects of the Hispanic/Latino festival Dia de Muertos
Students will create their own Day of the Dead sugar skulls
Students will engage in classroom discussion on the Day of the Dead Festival
Material/Special Arrangements:
 ONE: www.onlinenevada.org
 Website for Sugar Skull Reference: http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/
 Additional website for step by step sugar skulls:
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/sugar-skullmaking.aspx
 Books:
o Mexican Folk Art by Marty Noble (Dover, 2003)
o Day of the Dead by Bob Barner (Holiday House, 2011)
Online Nevada:
Using the computer lab students will access information using the ONE.
1. Go to: www.onlinenevada.org
2. Select A-Z Index
3. Select “Hispanic/Latino Folklife in Southern Nevada”
Preparation Activity:
 Consider sending home information and reading material on the Dia de Muertos cultural
celebration to familiarize both students and parents
 Begin by having students discuss the tradition and history of the Hispanic/Latino festival,
Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This festival falls directly after Halloween and
students can possibly compare/contrast the different traditions in which the dead are
celebrated and honored. Show students the link to the ONE and the information
provided on Hispanic/Latino celebrations in Nevada.
 Prepare Mexican Sugar Skulls ahead of time; see website: mexicansugarskull.com for
information on ordering sugar skull molds and detailed instructions.
 NOTE—the website: mexicansugarskull.com recommends making the frosting; however,
for classroom purposes it is easier to purchase pre-made frosting in a variety of colors.
The small tip frosting is easiest to use, and spreads well on the sugar skulls.
 NOTE—the website: mexicansugarskull.com recommends making full skulls; however,
for classroom purposes it is easier to simply create the half skulls. See photo below:

Be sure to adhere sugar skulls on either a paper plate or thick cardboard as this will
serve as the ‘altar’ on which their skulls are displayed.
Activity:
1. After students have discussed the information provided by the ONE and read books on
Dia de Muertos, they can begin the art activity in which they decorate their own sugar
skulls.
2. Set aside a large area for decoration; students can use a number of items to decorate
their skulls: sequins, frosting, flowers, glitter, etc. Sugar skulls tend to be very colorful
and brightly decorated. Perhaps have picture/image examples to give students an idea
of how sugar skulls are traditionally decorated.
Additional Activity:
--Consider a classroom display of students’ sugar skulls
Evaluation of Student Learning:
Students will be evaluation on completion of their art project: Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls
Students will be evaluated on their comprehension of the Hispanic/Latino Folklife cultural
tradition of Day of the Dead festival and its influence on communities
Note: Information below provided on: http://www.mexicansugarskull.com
Teacher tips: large batches of sugar skulls
What size skull should my class make?
We recommend the medium skull for K-3, if you want the students to actually make the skulls. 3rd grade
to adult can make the 2-piece, large skull. All ages prefer to decorate the large skull to the smaller sizes.
We do not recommend the mini skull for classroom use. The advantage to the medium skull is that you
can make it today, and it's dry and ready to decorate tomorrow. The large skull requires scooping,
assembly, and more time for drying, which generally takes one extra day. Large skulls require more
sugar than mediums, so consider this if cost is an issue. The charts below will help you determine the
product necessary for your classroom project.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE SUGAR SKULLS ON A HUMID DAY
That means rain, rain tomorrow, or rain yesterday. Sugar freaks out around damp air and the skulls
won't dry right, stick right, or hold the icing on. Check your weather forecast.
If you were to have an unexpected rain storm in mid-project, then see if you can "candle" the skulls in a
low oven (150 degrees) for 15 minutes. Lay them on cookie sheets covered with thick newspapers to
wick the moisture from the skulls. If they don't scorch, you may have fooled Mother Nature. Turn the
oven off, and let the skulls sit in the oven over night.
More tips
1. Make a batch of Sugar Skulls at home before trying it in the classroom
2. Kindergarten-3rd graders generally cannot mold the sugar skulls without lots of one-on-one
assistance from teacher/parents/aides. But it can be done successfully! Teachers may prefer to
make the skull blanks at home (a great job for a teacher's aide or overzealous parent volunteer!)
Then bring them into the classroom ready to decorate. If dexterity is an issue with the icing
bags, the project can be lots of fun to decorate the skulls with white glue, feathers, sequins, foil,
beads, glitter, and other "found" objects.
3. 3rd grade and above are able to do the entire sugar skull project, but the molding can get
messy. If weather permits, take tables out to the grass and mix and mold the sugar outside. Take
a large, lined trash can, and plenty of paper towels.
4. A bucket of water serves as a nice hand washing set up if a sink is not available in the classroom.
5. Always make a few extra sugar skulls to cover for any accidents that might occur.
6. If making the Royal Icing in the classroom, use a KitchenAid stand mixer for safely. Remember to
beat the icing a full 9 minutes. Icing for assembly of the skulls needs to be a little thicker than
the colored icing for the pastry bags.
7. For younger kids who might have trouble squeezing the icing bags, they can get beautiful,
colorful results by finger-painting the icing on with their fingers. Cut tin foil can be patted down
on tip of wet icing.
8. Make sugar skulls as part of a classroom altar. Focus on the multicultural aspects of the holiday.
9. Have a contest for the best decorated Sugar Skull.
10. Leftover supplies can be used for making gingerbread houses or just decorated cookies during
the Christmas holiday. Excess colored tin foils can be used for origami making!
11. Fundraisers: Students & clubs can make decorated sugar skulls and sell them for a Halloween
fundraiser. Great project for Latin / Spanish / Chicano clubs on campus.
12. Sugar skull making is a good activity to do in conjunction with stories or readings about the
holiday. Compare the Mexican tradition and feelings about their deceased with the American
tradition. Explore the differences between Halloween and Day of the Dead. Let students
research Day of the Dead on the Internet.
13. Make a classroom altar, and have each student explain why they chose their contribution.
Writing exercises in English as well as Spanish can explore students feelings of death, or their
thoughts about tradition and ritual.
Classroom timing: how long does it take to make sugar skulls?


Day 1
Medium and Mini skulls can be mixed and molded today, air-dried tonight, ready for icing
tomorrow. 2 days, approx. 50 minute sessions for 1-2 skulls per student.
Large Skulls: Generally, take 3 days, unless creatively choreographed with after school helpers.


Mix the sugar and mold the skulls early in the morning. Late in the day, if the skulls have
hardened a little, scoop them out. Save the scoopings to mold smaller skulls. If you get a late
start, the skulls may be scooped out early the next morning. If it is warm or very dry, cover with
plastic wrap so skulls dry out slower. Let the skull halves dry, upside down, overnight.
12-14 hours is usually OK between molding and scooping.
Day 2

Large skulls are ready to be assembled. You need some white icing today for assembly. Let skulls
dry until late in the day, or preferably, tomorrow. Have a small group mold medium and mini
skulls from the saved "scoopings" from yesterday.
Day 3

Today, the large skulls and the smaller skulls made from scoopings will be well dried, and ready
for Icing. This is the real fun day ... Make it a Friday... and hose the kids down before they go
home!
Tip - Let the skulls dry at least 1 day in the classroom before the student tries to take it home. Skulls will
be very hard and set up in about 24 hours. If kept dry, skulls will look good for up to 2 years or more!