OBJECTIVE
You and your team of hotshot detectives have
been asked to investigate the crowd of people gathering in a 
local cemetery. The town's mayor is afraid of some skullduggery,
but you can put her mind at rest--it's just a celebration of El
Día de los Muertos! But what exactly is this Day
of the Dead all about? When does it take place? And
why?
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TASK
With your team, put together a presentation
that explains, and more importantly shows, the mayor what El Día
de los Muertos is all about. Be sure to cover the following aspects:
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Research Manager
Your job is key to the success of this project.
You must be relentless in your quest for finding just the right quote,
picture, or sound bite. Your team will rely on effective use of your detective
skills as you search the collections.
Archive Manager
Excellent organizational skills make this
job a challenge. You will keep track of all materials that your researcher
locates and check to be sure that resources are compatible. For example,
are your sound clips for the correct platform? You will keep the original
files, and back up files, and organize the final project.
Production Manager
This position requires you to build the final
product. You must gather materials from your archive manager and work with
the researcher during production. You will need to be flexible and
resourceful as you work with last minute changes; manage graphics, sound
or movie clips; and deal with the unexpected occurrences of producing a
product.
Day of the Dead RESOURCES
Here is a list of Internet resources, but
don't forget that the Information Center and the Public Library also carry
a wide assortment of resource materials. Most of the sites listed
below have been borrowed from a similar activity that can be found at the
Calaveras Home Page from Dog's Life Video. 
Background on the tradition
Los días de los muertos -- an explanation of the celebrations with pictures from Cholula, Mexico.
dead.html -- background from the MATC Latino Students Association.
The Day of the Dead, Through the Eyes of the Soul-- text and book excepts from a journalist who has been researching the Day of the Dead for over ten years.
El Dia de los Muertos -- overview with an emphasis on food.
Day of the Dead-- well-informed summary from the Boeckman Center for Iberian and Latin American studies.
Mexican holidays -- including Day of the Dead.
Overview (Spanish) -- background on the tradition for Spanish speakers.
Día
de los Muertos--an overview of the celebration
History
Jose Guadelupe Posada -- samples of the artist's work.
Pre-Columbian Art -- life and death in ancient Mexico.
Background on Dia del los Muertos and Halloween.
muertos.html
-- History of indigenous celebration in Mexico.
Celebrations in the United States
Día de los Muertos in Monterey
Hispanic heritage comes alive at All Souls Day celebration -- a celebration in Detroit's Mexicantown.
LatinoLink: El Dia de los Muertos -- the celebration in San Francisco
Day of the Dead in Southern California
Younger
Children's Day of the Dead site -- from Northern Arizona University.
Celebrations in other parts of the world
The Day of the Dead, All Souls Feast in Oaxaca -- Photographs and a description of the celebration in Oaxaca.
Day
of the Dead -- background and photos with links to a map of Mexico
and information on its indigenous people.
Folk Traditions
Los arcos (las ofrendas) -- a description on making an altar
Papel
Amate
El
pan de los muertos
EVALUATION
Your job as a topnotch detective depends on
this presentation. The last team to present was canned--don't make
the same mistakes they did.
CONCLUSION
Upon finishing your presentation to the mayor,
you should be able to answer the following questions about El Día
de los Muertos:
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