Las Alfombras de Semana Santa Lesson Plan

This post contains some affiliate links, which means that we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

There are many beautiful traditions in the Spanish speaking world. Many of them surround Semana Santa, or Holy Week. One of my personal favorites are the alfombras created in Guatemala. They are vibrant, eye-catching, and yet fleeting. Let’s look at a lesson plan for las alfombras de Semana Santa!

Las Alfombras de Semana Santa Lesson Plan

Bring Culture to Life with Las Alfombras de Semana Santa Lesson Plan

There is something truly magical about watching students’ eyes light up when they see the vibrant art of alfombras. When planning your Las Alfombras de Semana Santa lesson plan, you are not just reviewing vocabulary or practicing reading. You are offering a glimpse into a living tradition that blends art, religion, and history.

If you want to build more cultural understanding in your classroom, this lesson plan is a great entry point. Start by letting students explore real photos or short video clips that show how these temporary carpets are created. Their reactions are usually filled with curiosity, which sets the tone perfectly for the next activity: the reading.

This reading activity in your Las Alfombras de Semana Santa lesson plan gives students space to slow down and take in new information. Let them annotate and highlight, or discuss in pairs to help each other uncover the meaning of each section. That little bit of extra processing time helps the meaning stick, and also builds confidence with interpreting authentic content.

Presentation on las Alfombras de Semana Santa

First, because these are just so colorful, let’s show students a few images! I created just a few slides to introduce the topic and give them a glimpse of what they’ll learn more about in the lesson with the reading selection.

You might also play a video or two for them. Here are some options – of course, always preview for your setting!

Reading on las Alfombras de Semana Santa

After students have just a glimpse of the beautiful and vibrant colors, it’s time to learn more with a short reading. There are a few options here, as always! You can choose to include the glossary to support your students, or if the vocab is enough that they’ll be comfortable with, you can use the version with space for them to add their own notes as you’re working. There’s also a second version of the reading, formatted to support a close reading activity. Up to you!

After reading, students can complete the close reading activity to encourage them to find the information in the text. They will also have to show where they find the evidence when they mark up the text with the different symbols and color writing utensils. Finally, choose between the comprehension questions in English or Spanish to wrap up the reading before moving onto the craft!

Art Project for La Semana Santa

After the reading comprehension pages, it’s fun for your students to color or design their own version of an alfombra! There are a few options for you to choose based on how much time you want students to spend and the materials you have available:

The lowest prep options are pre-designed coloring sheets. Print, let students choose, then color.
Next are the blank templates. Students can color with markers, crayons, or whatever to design their own alfombras.
The next level of materials are the color and cut pages. These allow students to experience the kind of multi-dimensional art they would see if they were able to visit and participate in creating an alfombra, but with the more readily available materials of paper, glue, and coloring utensils. You can print the color and cut pages and let students mix and match from the shapes and designs to create their alfombras.
A final, more involved option for this project would be to give students the template and a different medium to create their own version of an alfombra. Some options might include tearing construction paper or scrap paper, tissue paper, or (if you feel particularly brave) glitter and adhering your choice of medium with glue. All up to you, of course!

Of course when they’re done, it’s great to hang them up and turn them into a display! It’s always fun to show off to the rest of the school what you’ve been up to in Spanish class. These alfombra projects make a very colorful bulletin board when they are finished.

Download these resources

SHOP HERE

Wrap It All Up with a Creative Twist

Now comes the part they love most the art! One reason this Las Alfombras de Semana Santa lesson plan is so engaging is because it lets students apply what they’ve learned in a hands-on way. Whether you use coloring pages, blank templates, or dive into a more layered craft with tissue paper and glue, your students will be buzzing with creativity.

And when they finish? Turn those masterpieces into a hallway or classroom display. It is one thing to talk about cultural traditions, but it is a whole different experience when your students get to live it, even in a small way.

Let this be more than a holiday lesson. Let it be a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection.