Lesson Plan Analysis:

Our main goal for this lesson being to teach the children differences in culture and cultural identity. We
explain very detailed what Dia de Los Muertos is and why for example it is so significant to Mexican
culture. We feel our lesson is chosen appropriately for 5th graders because it includes reading for the
same grade level in poems and a fun way to assess them on what they have learned in the form of a game.
Our interactive tree with elements of each of their own cultures aligns the learning goal and assessment
while being interactive and different.

LF = Lesson Facilitator
KEY POINTS
KNOW: What will students know at the end of the lesson?
DO: What will students do during the lesson?
SAY: What will students say during the lesson?
WHY: Explain why learning this is important to you as a teacher and to students (connect to your goal).
Know Say Do Why
Dia de los Muertos
& cultural diversity Answer

Script:
LF1: Hello everyone, my name is Alberto
LF2: Hi Im Drake, and were from the high school
LF1: Today we want to talk to you guys about DDLM, culture (identity).
LF1&2: Hand out name tags.

1:30 minutes

Class activity (Definition)

LF2: So for our first activity, were going to come up with a class definition for culture.
LF1: Raise your hand if you have an idea of what culture means or cultural things that you relate with.
LF1&2: Provide examples of culture and identity if necessary.

8-10 Minutes
DDLM LECTURE

LF1: So we understand you had a presentation on DDLM earlier today, what are some things you learned
Q&A - 2 minutes
LF2: An important way people celebrate this holiday is by creating sugar skulls or calaveras. These skulls
are created either for children or as offerings to be placed on altars. The tradition of sugar skulls is for
families to decorate their loved ones' altars with both large or small handmade sugar skulls.
LF1: We bring them these things to act like gifts to those that have passed because on this holiday we
believe that this is the day the dead comes back to visit their relatives.
(Presentation of Calavera)

LF1: But you can also draw your own calavera to be placed in the altar as well. Here is a design that we
made to give you guys an idea as to what these could look like

(Presentation of poem)

LF2: One of the most important ways people celebrate Dia De Los Muertos is by writing a poem that is
dedicated to the dead to commemorate or respect them. These poems are called Calacas. Some poems are
made to end funny, to add a type of comic relief because no one want to end the holiday depressed, but to
end it with celebration and welcome.

LF1: Here is an example of a poem that we have based on this holiday:

LF1: What this poem is trying to say is.explanation?

(Meanwhile, pass out the leaves and markers)

LF2: Before we move on to our next activity, do you guys have any questions?

Depending on how many questions are asked, the Q&A will probably last 2 minutes and the overall
explanation and presentation of poems will be lasting 15 minutes

LF1: Now that you know more about Culture and Dia de los Muertos, we want you to write words and/or
draw things on the leaves in front of you that represent you and your culture and put them on to the tree to
make something that represents all of us.

LF2: You could think about the foods you eat, the holidays you celebrate and specific traditions that you
practice.

15 minutes

LF2: Now that you guys finished your leaves, share what youve written or drawn to the person next to
you

5 minutes
Family Feud game (in groups) -10 minutes