Celebrating Tradition and Art: Día de Muertos in Middle School

For over a decade, the Middle School Spanish department has honored Día de Muertos by creating a colorful, collaborative altar (ofrenda) in the second-floor atrium, blending cultural tradition with student creativity. This annual project invites each Middle School grade to participate through unique artistic contributions, encouraging students to explore both their own traditions and those of others.

Eighth graders have crafted intricate papel picado designs in Spanish class, dedicated to a loved one and created using the laser cutter in the Beta Lab.

Seventh graders have written calaveritas literarias—traditional Day of the Dead poems—that will be displayed on giant calaveras and added to the altar.

Sixth graders, who lead the altar creation, are reading Tumba, a book centered around the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico. Each student has designed a mask dedicated to someone they admire who has passed, along with recording a short video reflection to accompany their creation. The masks are placed on the altar, with classes gathering to share some of these stories.

The fifth graders have also joined the festivities, creating beautiful paper flowers to adorn the ofrenda.

The project culminates with sixth graders guiding fourth graders to visit the altar and join them in a Spanish workshop led by Espejo Escénico, a group of Oaxacan women who will teach students how to make a traditional Oaxacan Day of the Dead rug.

This annual tradition blends culture, art, and community, allowing students to connect with and celebrate the Día de Muertos holiday in a vibrant, meaningful way.

¡Bien hecho!