Nombre______________________________ Hora______ Fecha ______________
El día de los muertos
Mexican Day of the Dead, el día de los muertos,
is an interesting holiday celebrated in the cities and
countryside in central and southern Mexico during
the chilly days of November 1 & 2. Even though
this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All
Soul's & All Saint’s Day, the indigenous people have
combined this with their own ancient beliefs of
honoring their deceased loved ones. They believe
that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on
October 31 and the spirits of all deceased children
(angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families.
On November 2, the spirits of the adults come
down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for
them. In most Indian villages, beautiful altars
(ofrendas) are made in each home.
They are decorated with candles,
flowers (wild marigolds called
cempasúchil & bright red combs)
mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of
turkey, mole, stacks of tortillas, and
big loaves of bread called pan de
muerto. Toys and candies are left for
the angelitos.
Little folk art skeletons and
sugar skulls, purchased at open-air
markets, provide the final touches.
The day of the dead is a very expensive holiday! Many spend over two month's
income to honor their dead relatives. They believe that happy spirits will provide
protection, good luck, and wisdom to their
families. On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the
festivities are taken to the cemetery. People
clean tombs, play cards, listen to the village
band and reminisce about their loved ones.
This tradition keeps the village close.
Nombre______________________________ Hora______ Fecha ______________
The Book of Life
PART I
1. What day is celebrated on November 1st & 2nd in México?
___________________________________________________________________
2. Why is this day so important?
___________________________________________________________________
3. The Mayan civilization had a name for the “underworld.” In the Book of Life, the
same name is given to the ruler of “The Land of the Forgotten.” What name is it?
(Spell your best!)
___________________________________________________________________
4. La Calavera Catrina, the ruler of “The Land of the Remembered,” is made out of
what popular Day of the Dead candy?
___________________________________________________________________
5. Manolo remembers that his mother used to sing, what verb means to sing?
___________________________________________________________________
6. How would you write in Spanish (She sings)_____________________________
7. What does Manolo call the old lady who asks him for bread? (Señorita o Señora)
Why do you think he called her that?_____________________________________
8. ¿Cuál país (country) does María’s father send her to study abroad?
___________________________________________________________________
PART II
1. Manolo’s father wants him to be a famous “torero,” what do you think that is?
_________________________________________________________________
2. Manolo likes to play the guitar and cantar. Escribe [Manolo sings] in español.
_________________________________________________________________
3. Manolo plays with a “mariachi” band while trying to win María’s heart. Mariachi
is a form of folk music from México. How do you write music in español? (Don’t
forget the definite article)
Nombre______________________________ Hora______ Fecha ______________
__________________________________________________________________
The Book of Life
PART II & III
Describe each person or place in Spanish. Use verbs from chapter 3 or 4.
All verbs should be conjugated in the él or ella form.
cantar= to sing
bailar= to dance
ser= to be (es)
dar= to give
hablar= to talk
vivir= to live
Los personajes
Descripción de la persona o el lugar
y los lugares
(Description of person or place IN SPANISH)
María
María es muy inteligente y bonita.
Manolo
Joaquín
Xibalba
La Catrina (La Muerte)
El Hombre de Cera
(The Candlemaker)
San Ángel (el pueblo)
La Tierra de los
Recordados
(remembered)
La Tierra de los
Olvidados (forgotten)
La Cueva de las Almas
Nombre______________________________ Hora______ Fecha ______________
(the cave of souls)
Después el película (After the movie)
Part III
Contesta estas preguntas (Answer these questions in inglés)
● ¿Te gustó (did you like) la película (the movie)? ¿Por qué sí o no?
● ¿Cuál es tu cosa favorita (favorite thing) de la película (la música, los colores, la
cultura, un personaje, etc.)? ¿Por qué?
● ¿Quién es tu personaje favorito (favorite person) de la película? ¿Por qué?
Me gusta…(I like)…