POPEJOY SCHOOLTIME SERIES TEACHING GUIDE GRADES: 1-6

D C EE TM H SR A RA C

Dreamcatchers Teaching Guides align with the National Standards and the New Mexico State Standards.

ENGLISH & SPANISH EDITION

DREAMCATCHERS 2SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

Young Vita thinks her family has gone crazy planning a celebration for deceased

loved ones. Why throw a party for the dead? But when a candy skeleton on her

abuelita’s cemetery ofrenda suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical,

musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos. Meet Sugar Skull, a

charismatic candy skeleton who dreams of riding the exclusive train to Who-Knows-

Where. Along with her skeletal new friend, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings

with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster Chaneques, and even meets the

famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth help him get on the train before it’s

too late?

Sugar Skull! is a joyous, heartfelt adventure featuring a company of gifted musicians

and dancers who show us the vibrant heart of Mexican culture and the rich traditions

of Día de Muertos.

Synopsis‘‘

Standards Addressed By Attending the Performance

NMCAS TH:Re7.1

TH:Re8.1

TH:Re9.1

CCSS ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2

WRSLLCommunication 1.2

Cultures 2.1, 2.2Connections 3.1, 3.2

Comparisons 4.2Communities 5.1, 5.2

Curriculum Connections

Performing & Visual Arts/Theatre, Music, Dance;

English & Spanish Language Arts; Social Studies/History, Geography, World Cultures

After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

-- J.K. ROWLING

DREAMCATCHERS 3SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

All over the world, people have unique beliefs about death and different rituals for honoring their deceased loved ones. Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a festival that is as much cultural as it is religious, celebrated October 31 to November 2 by people in Mexico, parts of Central and South America, and increasingly throughout the United States. It is not Mexican Halloween—it is a beautiful fusion of Native American and Spanish traditions.

It is not a sad or scary day, but a spirited holiday when people remember and honor family members who have died. They are celebrating because death is not something to be feared, but a natural part of life. The dead are still valued as members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit—and during Día de Muertos, they temporarily return to Earth. Family members get together to tell funny stories and remember how they lived, not feel sorry for them. People celebrate in their homes, creating altars

(called ofrendas in Spanish). These aren’t for worshipping; they’re meant to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living. The ofrendas are covered with offerings—water to quench thirst after the long journey, favorite foods and drinks, family photos, favorite toys or possessions, and a candle for each dead relative. The light and scent of candles and marigold flowers are said to attract the souls of the deceased and guide them back for a short time to take part in the pleasures they once enjoyed in life.

Families also visit the graves of their loved ones, cleaning the headstones, decorating with flowers, and bringing favorite food and music. Many of the roots of Día de Muertos are pre-Colombian, and the symbols and practices come from the native groups of Mesoamerica: Maya, Aztec, Toltec, and Olmec. After the Spanish arrived, traditional Native American beliefs blended with the Feast of All Saints, creating the modern

celebration.

The belief that the spirits of the dead could return in the form of hummingbirds or butterflies goes back all the way to the Aztecs, and has become a key decorative motif. During the first week of November parts of Mexico are swarmed with monarch butterflies traveling a staggering 3,000 miles. Some fly all the way from Canada. Their destination is Michoacán, a state in Southern Mexico. On their trip, they come through New Mexico!

Images of skeletons dancing or doing other comical things are common. However, Día de Muertos isn’t a special, once-a-year event for spirits. According to traditional beliefs, the dead come and go all the time, stopping in to visit living family members on a frequent basis. Instead, it’s meant to remind the living of things they should be trying to remember all year round.

About Día de Muertos

DREAMCATCHERS 4SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

En todo el mundo, la gente tiene creencias únicas sobre la muerte y diferentes rituales para honrar a sus seres queridos difuntos. El Día de Muertos es un festival que es tanto cultural como religioso que se celebra del 31 de octubre al 2 de noviembre por el pueblo mexicano, en partes de Centro y Sudamérica y cada vez más en los Estados Unidos. No es el Halloween de México–es una fusión bella de tradiciones indígenas mezcladas con las españolas.

No es un día triste o espantoso, sino una fiesta vivaz cuando la gente se acuerda y honora a sus familiares que han fallecido. Están celebrando la muerte no porque es algo que se tema, sino que es parte natural de la vida. Los muertos aún se consideran como miembros valerosos de la comunidad—mantenidos vivos en memoria y espíritu—y durante el Día de Muertos, regresan temporalmente a la tierra. Los parientes se juntan para contar cuentos chistosos y recordar como vivieron, no sentirse apenados. La gente

celebra en sus casas, haciendo altares que se llaman ofrendas. No son para el culto, sino para dar la bienvenida a los espíritus que regresan al ámbito de los vivos. Se cubren las ofrendas con ofertas: agua para satisfacer la sed después del gran viaje; las comidas y bebidas favoritas; fotos familiares; juguetes y posesiones favoritas; y una vela para cada pariente difunto. Se dice que la luz y aroma de las velas y cempasúchil atrae las almas de los difuntos y las guia por un ratito para participar en los placeres de la vida que ellos disfrutaron antes.

Las familias también visitan las tumbas de sus seres queridos, limpiando sus lápidas, decorándolas con flores y trayendo sus comidas y música favoritas. Muchas de las raíces del Día de Muertos son pre-colombianos y los símbolos y costumbres vienen de los indígenas mesoamericanos: maya, azteca, tolteca y olmeca. Después de la llegada de los españoles, las creencias tradicionales de los indígenas se mezclaron con la Fiesta

de Todos Santos, creando la celebración moderna.

La creencia que los espíritus de los difuntos pueden volver en la forma de chuparrosas o mariposas viene de los aztecas y se ha convertido en un tema clave. Durante la primera semana de noviembre, regiones de México están enjambradas con mariposas monarcas que viajan una distancia asombrosa de 3.000 millas. Algunas llegan desde Canadá. Su destino es el Estado de Michoacán en el sur de México. En su viaje, ¡pasan por Nuevo México!

Imágenes de esqueletos bailando o haciendo otras acciones cómicas son comunes. Sin embargo, el Día de Muertos no es un evento especial o de una vez al año para los espíritus. Según las creencias tradicionales, los difuntos siempre vienen y van, visitando a los familiares vivos a menudo. En vez, es para recordar a los vivos de las cosas que deberían de recordar todo el año.

Acerca del Día de Muertos

DREAMCATCHERS 5SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

VocabularySharing this vocabulary with students will enhance their experience of the performance. Encourage them to watch for examples of these elements of music and dance during their visit to Popejoy!

abuelita – (ah-bweh-lee-tah) the diminutive form of abuela, similar to “grandma” or “granny”

antepasados – (ant-ay-pass-ah-dos) ancestors; the ones who are given offerings by families and friends

calaca – (kah-lah-kah) skulls and skeletons shown in a variety of funny or day-to-day activities

calaveritas de azúcar – (kah-lah-ver-eh-tahs day ah-sue-car) elaborately decorated sugar skulls; sugar represents the sweetness of life and the skull represents death

cempasúchitl – (cem-pah-sue-ch-il) yellow or orange marigolds seen on graves and altars; their aroma and color are believed to attract spirits of deceased family members and lead them back home

ofrenda – (oh-frehn-dah) “offering,” another word for altar where food, candles, flowers, pictures, and mementos are left for the dead

pan de muerto – (pahn deh mwehr-toh) a type of sweet roll traditionally baked in Mexico during the days leading up to the Día de Muertos; the food most associated with Day of the Dead

papel picado – (pah-pay-el pe-kah-do) “punched paper,” paper banners decorated with elaborate designs usually made of tissue

Fun Facts for Students• One of the most recognizable symbols of Day of the Dead celebrations is a figure known as la Calavera Catrina, a female skeleton dressed in fancy clothes and accessories, including a big hat. Catrina was originally drawn circa 1910 by the famous Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada as a social critique of indigenous peoples in Mexico who tried to be more European. Even though she was dead, she was still concerned with how she looked. Catrina later became a symbol of class warfare during the Mexican Revolution. Eventually, she evolved into a symbol of the Day of the Dead when Diego Rivera

painted her in a mural in 1948. She’s been associated with the holiday ever since. She is the personification of Día de Muertos. People now buy and make Catrina dolls as part of their celebrations.

• Dressing up as skeletons is part of the fun. People of all ages have their faces artfully painted to resemble skulls, and, mimicking the Calavera Catrina, they put on suits and fancy dresses. Many revelers wear shells or other noisemakers to amp up the excitement—and to awaken the dead and keep them close during the fun.

• Sugar skulls are actually candy and part of a sugar art tradition brought by 17th-century Italian missionaries. They are made from sugar pressed into molds, elaborately decorated with dyes, and often stamped with the names of the deceased. They come in all sizes and levels of complexity.

• Countless communities across Mexico celebrate Day of the Dead, but the styles

and customs differ by region, depending on their ancestor’s culture. Celebrations are concentrated in southern Mexico where there are larger indigenous communities. Día de Muertos is meant to honor the spirits of deceased adults. On November 1, however, families gather to remember the spirits of children. This is called either Día de Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) or Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels).

• Thanks to efforts by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the term “cultural heritage” is not limited to monuments and collections of objects. It also includes living expressions of culture and traditions passed down from generation to generation. In 2008, UNESCO recognized the importance of Día de Muertos by adding the holiday to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

DREAMCATCHERS 6SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

VocabularioAl compartir este vocabulario, sus estudiantes van a enriquecer su experiencia de la obra. ¡Anímalos a buscar ejemplos de estos elementos de música y danza durante su visita a Popejoy!

abuelita—diminutivo de abuela, la madre de uno de los padres de una persona

antepasados—ascendiente; familiares y amigos hacen las ofrendas y ofertas para ellos

calaca— figura cómica del esqueleto humano haciendo cosas cotidianas

calaveritas de azúcar—figuras hechas de azúcar adornadas elaboradamente; el azúcar representa la dulzura de la vida y la calavera representa la muerte

cempasúchil—planta herbácea con flores amarillas o anaranjadas, con olor fuerte, que se coloca en tumbas y ofrendas; se cree que su color y olor atrae a los espíritus de seres queridos difuntos y que los guía a casa

ofrenda—otra palabra para altar donde se coloca comidas, velas, flores, retratos y recuerdos para los difuntos

pan de muerto—un pan dulce horneado tradicionalmente en México durante los días antes del Día de Muertos, es la comida más asociada con dicha fiesta

papel picado—banderolas de papel tisú decorados con diseños complejos

Datos interesantes para estudiantes• Uno de los símbolos más reconocidos de las celebraciones del Día de Muertos es la Calavera Catrina, un esqueleto de una mujer vestida con ropa de lujo y accesorios, incluyendo un gorro grande. Catrina fue dibujada originalmente cerca de 1910 por el famoso artista mexicano José Guadalupe Posada como una crítica social del pueblo indígena en México que intentaba de ser más europeo. Aunque ella está muerta, todavía se preocupa de su apariencia. Más tarde, ella se convirtió en un símbolo del conflicto entre clases durante la Revolución mexicana. Eventualmente, se evolucionó en un símbolo del Día de Muertos cuando Diego Rivera la pintó en una muralla en 1948. Desde entonces, ha sido asociada con la fiesta. Ella es la personificación del Día de Muertos. Hoy en día se puede comprar

y hacer muñecas de Catrina para las celebraciones.

• Disfrazarse como esqueletos es parte de la diversión. Personas de todas edades se pintan con ingenio para parecerse a las calaveras. Imitan a la Calavera Catrina con trajes y vestidos bonitos. Muchos juerguistas llevan conchas u otras matracas para aumentar la emoción y para despertar a los difuntos y mantenerlos cerca durante la diversión.

• Las calaveras de alfeñique son dulces y parte de la tradición del arte de azúcar que trajeron misioneros italianos en el siglo XVII. Están hechas de azúcar aplastadas en moldes y decoradas con tintes y muchas veces con el nombre del difunto sellado. Vienen en todos tamaños y niveles de complejidad.

• Innumerables comunidades en todo México celebran el Día de Muertos, pero los estilos y costumbres son distintos en cada región y dependiendo en la

cultura del antepasado. Las celebraciones están concentradas en el sur de México donde se encuentran más comunidades indígenas grandes. El Día de Muertos tiene el objetivo de honorar a los espíritus de adultos difuntos. En el primero de noviembre, las familias se juntan para recordar los espíritus de los niños. Esto se llama el Día de los Inocentes o Día de los Angelitos.

• Gracias a los esfuerzos de Unesco (Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura) el término “herencia cultural” no es reservado solamente a monumentos y colecciones de objetos. También incluye las expresiones vivas de cultura y tradiciones que se transmiten de generación a generación. En 2008, Unesco reconoció la importancia del Día de Muertos cuando fue agregado a la lista Representativa del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad.

DREAMCATCHERS 7SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

The Music Vita’s quest to find the true meaning of Día de Muertos takes students on a magical journey through time and place into a Mexico that they rarely get to see. Much of the magical journey involves instruments that are both ancient and modern, all of which are still played in present-day Mexico. Most of the music and dance in Sugar Skull! originate from the blend of indigenous, African, and European traditions that weave the story of the Mexican experience. Listen to some of the wonderful music and songs associated with this holiday.

STRINGS

guitar (gih-tar) – six string instruments of European origin played throughout Mexico

jarana jarocha (har-an-ah har-oh-cha) – small guitar-like instrument from the State of Veracruz

vihuela (vi-hue-la) – small five-string instrument with a “belly” in the back played throughout central Mexico

violin (vi-o-lin) – the smallest of the string instruments in an orchestra

PERCUSSION

huéhuetl (way-weh-tl) – large wooden drum

palo de lluvia (pa-lo-de-yu-bja) – rainsticks made from a hollowed out dried cactus branch, filled with small pebbles, and capped at both ends. When slightly tilted, it makes the sound of falling rain

tarima (tah-ree-mah) – small wooden platform where a dancer makes rhythm patterns with their shoes

teponaztli (te-po-nas-tleh) – log drum made out of a hollow tree trunk

quijada de burro (kee-hah-dah-de-bur-oh) – donkey jaw bone (by scraping the teeth you can get a sound!)

WIND

concha – (kone-ch-ah) a shell blown into using the same technique as playing a trumpet

ocarina (ok-uh-ree-nuh) – flute made out of clay

sopranino recorder (so-pre-ne-no ri-kor-der) – high-pitched recorder

wind whistle (wind – (h)wisel) – handmade cylindrical flutes made out of clay

The Characters Vita encounters all types of real and

mythical people that exist in Mexican

folklore on her journey. Some of the

characters look very similar in the show,

and some are interpretations.

La Catrina Calavera – the image of Death

in Mexico; she honors and protects those

who have passed away.

La Bruja – describes a witch or woman

associated with the devil, and whose evil

deeds are directed at innocent men and

women.

Chaneque – a legendary creature in

Mexican folklore. A small, sprite-like being,

who is a guardian of nature.

Meshica/Aztecas – the Aztec people who

ruled South Central Mexico over 500 years

ago. They called themselves the Meshica.

Viejitos de Michoacán – four dancers

dressed as old men to represent fire, water,

earth and air. They perform Danza de los Viejitos, a traditional folk dance from the

State of Michoacán.

DREAMCATCHERS 8SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

La músicaLa búsqueda de Vita para hallar el significado verdadero del Día de Muertos lleva a los estudiantes en un viaje mágico entre tiempo y lugar a un México que rara vez se ve. Mucho del viaje mágico incluye instrumentos que son antiguos y modernos, todos los cuales aún se tocan hoy en día en México. Mucha de la música y danza en esta obra originó de la mezcla de tradiciones indígenas, europeas y africanas que forman la historia de la experiencia mexicana. Escuche alguna de la linda música y canciones que están asociadas con la fiesta.

CUERDAS

guitarra—instrumento musical de cuerda de origen europeo tocado por todo México

jarana jarocha—instrumento de cuerda parecido a una guitarra pequeña de Veracruz

vihuela—instrumento musical de cuerda, pulsado con arco o con plectro

violín— instrumento musical de cuerda, el más pequeño y agudo entre los de su clase

PERCUSIÓN

huéhuetl— un tambor con forma de tubo

palo de lluvia—un tubo largo con huecos relleno de piedrecillas, en cuyo interior se clavan palitos de madera, formando una helicoide que se extiende a todo lo largo. Cuando el palo se inclina suavemente las piedrecillas caen y su golpeteo con los palitos produce un sonido que se asemeja a la lluvia o agua cayendo

tarima— zona del entablado, superior en altura al resto, donde danzantes hacen sonidos a bailar

teponaztli—un instrumento musical del tipo de tambor que consiste en un tronco de árbol

quijada de burro— se usa como instrumento de percusión rascando los dientes

INSTRUMENTOS DE VIENTO

concha— cobertura dura que se puede usar como trompeta

ocarina—flauta hecha de barro

flauta de pico— instrumento de viento madera formado por un tubo cilíndrico

silbato de viento—una flauta hecha a mano con barro

Los personajesVita encuentra a todo tipo de personajes, real y mítico, que existen en el folklore mexicano durante su viaje. Algunos personajes se parece similares en la obra y otros son interpretaciones.

Catrina Calavera—la imagen de la Muerte en México, ella honra y protege a los difuntos

Bruja— embrujador, que hechiza; persona a la que se le atribuyen poderes mágicos obtenidos del diablo

Chaneque— criaturas de la mitología mexica, entidades asociadas al inframundo cuya principal actividad es cuidar los montes y los animales silvestres

Mexicas—el pueblo azteca que reinó en México hace más de 500 años. El nombre correcto de los aztecas es mexicas

Viejitos de Michoacán—cuatro bailarines vestidos como viejitos que representan fuego, agua, tierra y aire. Ellos interpretan la Danza de los viejitos, un baile folclórico tradicional del Estado de Michoacán.

DREAMCATCHERS 9SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

Objectives

• Construction or tissue paper - assorted colors (approx. 8.5” x 11”)

• Scissors (for older students a small hobby knife can be used for more complicated patterns)

• Hole punch or decorative hole punchers (optional)

• String and/or sipping straw

• Tape and/or glue

• Video of step-by-step instructions to all make the same design (7:23) (optional)

Procedure 1. Optional: Play some of the music and songs of this holiday as your class makes art.

2. Fold the top edge of the paper over about half an inch. This is where a long piece of string for

hanging or a straw will go.

3. Fold the rest of the paper lengthwise and then fold twice widthwise. For a more complex design,

fold the paper in half and then on angles in large or small sizes as many times as desired.

4. Start cutting out patterns (squares, triangles, rectangles, curvy lines, etc.) but do not cut the corners

of the paper. You can also use the hole puncher to add more designs.

5. For added flair, unfold the paper and decorate the bottom edge with zigzags, waves, etc.

6. To make a banner, place at least five sheets of completed papel picado designs folded top edge

over a long piece of string and tape or glue them. Straws may be used inside the fold and string placed

through them for stability.

Students will:

• develop fine motor skills, design and create simple to complex patterns;

• learn and apply knowledge of symmetry lines and the use of positive and negative space;

• create their own papel picado while learning about the Day of the Dead.

Papel PicadoLesson 1

Grades 2-5

NMSSSBenchmark 1-ABenchmark 1-DBenchmark 3-B

WRSLL (The 5 Cs)

Communication 1.2, 1.3Cultures 2.1, 2.2

Connections 3.1, 3.2Comparisons 4.1, 4.2Communities 5.1, 5.2

CCSSELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.1ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2

NMCASMA:Cn10.1VA:Cn10.1

VA:Cr1.1VA:Cr2.1VA:Cr3.1

VA:Cn10.1

Extensions/Modifications

Assessment

• Discuss positive and negative space.

• Research how papel picados were used as political statements and as social commentary in the past

and into the present.

• Quality of participation

• Artwork produced

Materials

Papel picado (punched or cut paper) is a popular form of decoration used for Día de Muertos and other

holidays and festivals throughout Mexico. In its simplest form, tissue paper is folded and cut with scissors

to form different patterns. The paper is then stringed together to form banners that can be hung most

anywhere, but during Day of the Dead celebrations, the banners decorate ofrendas. The papel picado

represents wind, one of the four aspects important to an altar and the fragility of life. More complicated

designs can include animals, skeletons, flowers and much more. In this project, we will be creating

papercuts using the same technique as paper snowflake making.

DREAMCATCHERS 10SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

Paper towel roll • Aluminum foil • Rice • Clear tape and or glue • Wooden spoon • Broom handle •

Colored paper or craft paper; colored tissue paper • Magic markers, colored pens, crayons, etc. • Examples

of Day of the Dead art (skulls, butterflies, hummingbirds, flowers, etc.) • Art supplies - yarn, feathers,

buttons, beads, etc. • Optional: Funnel

Procedure 1. Tear a sheet of foil about 10” long (for little ones you may want to precut these) and wrap it around the handle

of a broom to make a spiral. Slide it off the top of the handle keeping the spiral shape

2. Tear a small piece of foil about 7” long. Twist this piece of foil into a skinny, wire-like shape and wrap this thin

piece of foil around the handle of a wooden spoon in order to make a tight spiral. Then slide it off the top of the

spoon keeping the spiral shape.

3. Place the end of the paper towel roll on a sheet of paper (not tissue paper) and trace a circle around it. Repeat

so that you have two; one for each end.

4. Draw a bigger circle around each of the small circles you just drew.

5. Cut out the larger circles, and use scissors to make a lot of cuts from the edge of the paper to the outside of

the smaller circle.

6. Tape the paper to the end of the paper towel roll, wrapping the small cut flaps up the sides of the tube (they

will overlap) and secure them with clear tape a few pieces at a time.

7. Once one end of the tube is sealed, gently insert the two foil spirals. This is the key to making the rainstick work.

8. Add about 1/4 cup of dried rice.

9. Now seal the other end of the tube with the other circle.

10. Tape one edge of a sheet of colored paper or tissue papers, to the outside of the tube and roll it until it

overlaps the tape. Cut it and tape it. Or, measure it out and cut it before taping.

11. Decorate the colored paper either on the roll or when it is flat before taping.

12. Use examples of Day of the Dead art for inspiration. Then add stripes, hearts, glitter, attach paper flowers, etc.

13. Play some of the music samples or choose your own and have the rainsticks used as gentle falling sounds.

Then hold them sideways in the middle of the tube and shake gently to the music. Be careful not to crush the foil

coils inside, or the rice will just go from one end to the other without the rain sound.

14. Dance!

Day of the Dead RainsticksLesson 2

Grades 1-6

NMSSSELEMENTARYBenchmark 1-CBenchmark 1-D

MIDDLEBenchmark 1-CBenchmark 1-D

WRSLL (The 5 Cs)

Communication 1.2, 1.3Cultures 2.1, 2.2

Connections 3.1, 3.2Comparisons 4.1, 4.2

Communities 5.1

CCSSELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.1ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2

NMCASMA:Cn10.1VA:Cn10.1

VA:Cr1.1VA:Cr2.1VA:Cr3.1

VA:Cn10.1

Materials

Extensions/Modifications

Assessment

• Instead of foil in the interior of the tube, use toothpicks or round-headed pins. Place throughout the

tube at equal or various distances and angles. They will have different results.

• Time how long it takes for the rice to go from one end to the other.

• Are the times different? Why do they think this is happening? They are all the same length. What is

different in each rainstick? Explain cause and effect.

• Instead of rice, try making a couple of rainsticks using different sized, shaped, weight materials such as

small dried lentils, un-popped popcorn kernels, split peas, or tiny pasta.

• Which material is faster or slower than rice? Compare and contrast. How does the sound change?

Why? Which sound do they like better? Why?

• Discuss why they are called rainsticks. What other cultures use them and why?

• Quality of participation

DREAMCATCHERS 11SUGAR SKULL: A Día de Los Muertos Musical Adventure

MON | OCT 28 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE

Bonus Explorations EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Create an ofrenda with your students.

Stone Sugar Skulls are simple, colorful, and fun to make.

Day of the Dead Paper Skull/Monarch Butterfly Masks are easy and there are lots of templates:

Skull Template Video

Color by numbers skull picture

Precut Dimensional Skull Paper Masks just need to be folded, taped and decorated. Available in packages of 40.

Monarch Butterfly Mask Template

Tissue Paper Marigolds

Make Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) This is a traditional food during the celebrations. Usually, it is baked in a circular loaf topped with crisscrossed “bones” made of dough and sugar. It is also shaped into people, animals, birds, butterflies and skeletons.

ResourcesBOOKS

Ancona, George. Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead. New York: HarperCollins, 1993.

Freschet, Gina. Beto and the Bone Dance. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001.

Goldman, Judy. Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Dead. Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press, 2008.

Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Day of the Dead: A Mexican-American Celebration. New York: Holiday House, 1994.

Lasky, Kathryn. Days of the Dead. New York: Hachette Books, 1994.

Levy, Janice. The Spirit of Tío Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story / El espíritu de tío Fernando: Una historia del Día de los Muertos. Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 1995.

Luenn, Nancy. A Gift for Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of the Dead / Un regalo para Abuelita: En celebración del Día de

los Muertos. New York: Copper Square Publishing LLC, 2004.

O Flathartha, Antoine. Hurry and the Monarch. Iowa: Dragonfly Books, 2009.

WEBSITES

Deseret News, Escape Here, ESOL Courses has worksheets for varying ages and language abilities.

National Geographic

Smithsonian Latino Center

The Mexican Folk Art Guide shares a great deal of easily accessible information on this celebration, including some beautiful art history.

United States Department of Agriculture - Monarch Butterfly Education

VIDEOS

Cartoon videos and songs including scenes from the movie Coco.

Watch the film Coco a 2017 American 3D computer-animated fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

About the CompanyMexico Beyond Mariachi is a multicultural ensemble of professional musicians, actors, dancers and teaching artists whose love of Mexican traditions and way of life shines brightly in every performance. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that art and culture are an integral part in the development of every individual’s outlook on life. Personal engagement, community experiences, and the celebration of commonality are themes they bring to their shows as well as extensive arts-in-education offerings.

Questions to Engage & ConnectWhat can you tell us about the difference between Halloween and the Day of the Dead?

How does talking or writing about the good things with them make you feel?

Is there anybody who you admire that you would want to know more about, celebrate, or honor?

Have you ever celebrated Day of the Dead? What did your family do?

Has anyone you’ve known passed away? Family, friend, a beloved pet?

Think about the holidays, observances, and traditions that you have experienced. Was there special clothing, hats, noise makers, food, music, etc.?

What were some of their favorite foods, colors, flowers, music, and things to do?

Do you have a favorite story or memory about them? Share it.

What was your favorite part about the show? How did it make you feel?

About the Schooltime SeriesThe Popejoy Schooltime Series brings national and international touring companies and performers to Albuquerque. Each company is selected for youth and family audiences from PreK to 12th grade. Our repertoire reflects the cultural diversity of our global community. The Schooltime Series is curated to include new plays, familiar stories, literary works, biographies, mythologies, folktales, science shows, music, dance, and puppetry. These professional performing artists create entertaining educational experiences designed to encourage literacy, creativity, communication, and imagination..

The Dreamcatchers Teaching GuidesBy their nature, the arts engage young minds in learning through observing, listening, creating, and moving, while offering various ways to acquire information and act on it in a dynamic world. They also offer a natural way to differentiate instruction through multiple modes of representation, expression, and engagement. Additionally, the arts are an authentic context in which students identify and solve problems, reflect, and create meaning. The Dreamcatchers help students embody the lessons and take-action on what they have learned. These guides introduce students to what they will see on stage, provide background information, a basic vocabulary associated with the show, fun facts, vetted resources, and activities providing a connection between the arts and classroom curriculum.

Popejoy HallPopejoy Hall is New Mexico’s premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. Our mission is to provide access to the performing arts for all New Mexicans.

House Policies & EtiquetteThe inside of a theatre where the audience sits is called a “house.” To get along, have fun, and enjoy the show, there are rules to follow. Schooltime is a wonderful opportunity to learn how good behavior in a live theater is different from watching television. For guidelines to practice with your class and chaperones, including safety, special needs, food and drink, backpacks, cell phones, photography, recordings, and more, go to schooltimeseries.com/house-policies.

Dreamcatcher CreditsDreamcatchers are Teaching Guides produced by the Education Department of Popejoy Hall. Selected materials provided by Music Beyond Mariachi, Mennello Museum, Metro News, and Mexic-Arte Museum Day of the Dead Guide. Lesson 2 Rainsticks project adapted from Gift of Curiosity and other resources noted in this guide.

The Schooltime Series is a proud member of

P O P E J OY H A L L : U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D E D ~ C O M M U N I T Y F U N D E D

The Eugene & Marion Castiglia Popejoy

Children’s Schooltime Endowment

The Popejoy Schooltime Education Endowment

Judith Mersereau

The Popejoy Schooltime Series is supported in part

by awards from: