There's A Surprise in the Jack O' Latern!

Disclaimer: Please excuse the gushing in this post.  :)

Our Spanish classes recently learned about the importance of the Day of the Dead in the Mexican culture.  This awesome celebration of life and loved ones takes a little twist at our school.  Instead of remembering the dead, students pick a teacher in the building to give an ofrenda or special offering to and celebrate them!  When a teacher is selected, they are given a questionnaire to explain the project and the day, and asked about their likes and dislikes, hobbies, etc.  The students then put together a visual presentation, keeping the questionnaire in mind.  When they are finished, they present the ofrenda to the teacher and display it in their room.  They also write a letter to the teacher again explaining their project and thanking them for all they do! 

This is the second year for the project and both students and teachers get so excited about it!  Their ofrendas are very creative and well put together. 

"The Day of the Dead project really brings out the students' creativity!  Most students start off with no knowledge of the holiday, yet they learn so much as they create their own ofrendas that I think they begin to value the ideas behind this important holiday!  And of course the teachers and staff absolutely love the end results!  Creating these Day of the Dead projects is by far my favorite time of the school year!" Our Spanish teacher, Mrs. Wheeler

I was lucky enough to receive one last year and got a very cute basket with pink and purple flowers, which included some candles, apples, and my favorite--chocolate! 

But, I have to say, they did a fantastic job this year!  My display board represents the things I like most, the best of Fall with orange leaves, apples, and pumpkins and spiced candles; technology is represented with glittered CD's, my love of books is represented with two victorian style looking bookmarks, and Halloween with a teddy bear dressed as a mummy.  I also got some chex mix, granola bars and...of course, chocolate...in the Jack O' Latern! 

So thank you, Katelyn, Laurel, Alyssa, and Kaitlyn for my wonderful ofrenda!