This Día de los Muertos activity for middle school and high school has students explore the Mexican traditions surrounding the holiday and then build a digital ofrenda!
Students learn why families in Mexico build ofrendas, using a linked video and article and explore the symbolism behind each item used on an ofrenda. Then, they choose a person to honor and build an ofrenda in Google Slides.
Available as an editable Google Slides activity, this low-prep activity works for Spanish, ELA, History, Advisory, or any class covering culture, tradition, and storytelling. Every video and article is already linked in the slides. Students click through, explore, and respond.
THE 4 STEPS:
Step 1: Learn the Culture
Students watch a video about the traditions of Día de los Muertos, then respond in writing to explain why families build ofrendas.
Step 2: Explore Real Ofrendas
Students study an ofrenda levels graphic, a how-to video, and photos of real ofrendas. They spot what shows up on almost every altar and what special items families add, and why.
Step 3: Pick a Person to Honor
Students choose one of three celebrities, each with a short bio card, or pick someone they want to remember
Step 4: Build an Ofrenda
Students use the drag-and-drop materials and find the rest themselves.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
This activity is built for middle school and high school students in any class where culture, tradition, and storytelling belong in the conversation.
Works for: Spanish, ELA, History, Advisory, Homeroom, or any class covering cultural studies and media literacy.
STUDENT SKILLS:
✅ Students learn about a Mexican tradition through video, article, and photo sources
✅ Students notice patterns across real ofrendas and explain what the symbols mean
✅ Students explore a biography and pull relevant details to help them build a digital ofrenda
MAKE IT YOUR OWN:
Make a copy in Google Slides and edit anything. Swap in your own videos or articles, change the response prompts, add your own people to honor, or add a gallery walk where classmates leave a question for each person.
Google Slides can be used on both PC and Mac but requires a Google account and internet access. Need one? Create a free account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final and refunds are not available. Please review the product description and preview images carefully before purchasing. If you have trouble accessing your files, contact me at drea@deeplyhumanteaching.com and I’ll help resolve it.
This Día de los Muertos activity for middle school and high school has students explore the Mexican traditions surrounding the holiday and then build a digital ofrenda!
Students learn why families in Mexico build ofrendas, using a linked video and article and explore the symbolism behind each item used on an ofrenda. Then, they choose a person to honor and build an ofrenda in Google Slides.
Available as an editable Google Slides activity, this low-prep activity works for Spanish, ELA, History, Advisory, or any class covering culture, tradition, and storytelling. Every video and article is already linked in the slides. Students click through, explore, and respond.
THE 4 STEPS:
Step 1: Learn the Culture
Students watch a video about the traditions of Día de los Muertos, then respond in writing to explain why families build ofrendas.
Step 2: Explore Real Ofrendas
Students study an ofrenda levels graphic, a how-to video, and photos of real ofrendas. They spot what shows up on almost every altar and what special items families add, and why.
Step 3: Pick a Person to Honor
Students choose one of three celebrities, each with a short bio card, or pick someone they want to remember
Step 4: Build an Ofrenda
Students use the drag-and-drop materials and find the rest themselves.
WHO IS THIS ACTIVITY FOR?
This activity is built for middle school and high school students in any class where culture, tradition, and storytelling belong in the conversation.
Works for: Spanish, ELA, History, Advisory, Homeroom, or any class covering cultural studies and media literacy.
STUDENT SKILLS:
✅ Students learn about a Mexican tradition through video, article, and photo sources
✅ Students notice patterns across real ofrendas and explain what the symbols mean
✅ Students explore a biography and pull relevant details to help them build a digital ofrenda
MAKE IT YOUR OWN:
Make a copy in Google Slides and edit anything. Swap in your own videos or articles, change the response prompts, add your own people to honor, or add a gallery walk where classmates leave a question for each person.
Google Slides can be used on both PC and Mac but requires a Google account and internet access. Need one? Create a free account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final and refunds are not available. Please review the product description and preview images carefully before purchasing. If you have trouble accessing your files, contact me at drea@deeplyhumanteaching.com and I’ll help resolve it.