Easy Day of the Dead Art Project for High School Spanish Class

Day of the Dead is coming and this is probably one of Spanish teacher’s most taught about holidays – if only because we want students to learn that this is NOT Spanish Halloween! Today I wanted to share with you my favorite easy Day of the Dead art project for high school Spanish class.

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Easy Day of the Dead Art Project for High School Spanish Class

What makes this so easy? Well, I am NOT an art person. Not even sort of. You know the old joke about how every teacher turning to the whiteboard says, “Now, I’m not an artist, but..”? I don’t even bother. They can’t tell what I was trying to draw and it just confuses them. But even I can do this!

Supplies Needed for this Easy Day of the Dead Art Project for High School

There are no special supplies needed for this easy Day of the Dead art project for high school! Here’s what you need:

• coloring utensils of your choice
• scissors (optional)
• copies of the template and directions

Lesson Plan

Here’s the lesson plan outline for this easy Day of the Dead art project for high school:

1. Introduce calaveras with a short reading activity
2. Pass out the step-by-step handout and template
3. Students design and decorate their skulls
4. Hang up to make a bulletin board

Before giving this project to your students, I recommend doing a simple lesson on calaveras. Just a short reading activity will do! Remember, we want to avoid them thinking this is “Spanish halloween” and we want them to understand what calaveras represent as part of the celebration. This reading and comprehension activity is a great way to introduce them to the concept.

After you’ve introduced calaveras, whether with the reading or your own simple slides, it’s time to get started with the art! There’s really not even instructions to do with this art project, that’s how simple it is. Pass out the step-by-step handout, give them the skull template, and let them go!

When they finish designing and coloring their calaveras, you can choose whether or not you want to have them cut them out. I usually base this decision on how many students I have doing this and how much space I have to hang them up.

After they’ve cut them out, make sure they have their names on the back, then you can hang them up for a display! This download comes with a banner, but I also really like adding them to this bulletin board, especially if you have a different level of Spanish doing the reading activities that go with it!

How to Make Tissue Paper Marigolds for Day of the Dead

If you’re looking for another easy Day of the Dead craft option, check out this simple tutorial for making tissue paper marigolds!

More Day of the Dead Lesson Plans for Spanish Class

This Día de los Muertos Lesson Plan: Build an Ofrenda Challenge is a great way to plan some fun group work and skill review all while learning about the Día de los Muertos celebration! 

If you’re looking for more activities for Day of the Dead, check out this round up with 6 more ideas!

If you’d like to do digital activities with your students, check out these websites and ideas here!

Need a back up? Check out this list of alternate activities for Day of the Dead!

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