Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead - Ofrenda Project

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a joyous celebration of loved ones who have passed away. For this project, students create a collage ofrenda, or altar, to honor a famous person who has died. In the process, they learn about the traditional items included in an ofrenda, as well as the ways that these beautiful displays are personalized to reflect the things that the deceased person enjoyed.

I have used this assignment in my classroom, and it has provided an opportunity for students to show off their artistic side and creativity, share about a famous person that has made an impression on them, and also learn about Día de los Muertos in a memorable way. Famous people they have honored include a wide variety of figures, such as Abraham Lincoln, Selena, Bob Ross, Queen Elizabeth II, Stan Lee, and many others!

This listing includes the assignment handout, the step-by-step guidelines for students to research and plan their ofrenda, and a grading rubric (with categories adding up to 20 points). Instructions also include guidance to help students create a finished project that is tasteful and respectful to the person being honored.