This no-prep Dia de los Muertos vs. Halloween ELA activity worksheet guides middle and high school students through a cultural and historical comparison of these two holidays. Engage students with reading passages, comparison activities, and critical thinking questions that explore death and remembrance.

Explore the fascinating cultural and historical differences between Dia de los Muertos and Halloween with this no-prep ELA worksheet. Designed for middle and high school students, this activity encourages critical thinking through thematic analysis and comparisons of how different cultures view death, remembrance, and traditions. With reading passages, comparison charts, and guided questions, this resource is perfect for introducing students to the unique significance of both holidays.

What's Included:

• Informational Text on Dia de los Muertos and Halloween (1 page)
• Venn Diagram for comparing the two holidays (1 page)
• Critical Thinking Questions (1 page)
• Answer Key for teachers (1 page)

Skills Developed Through This Activity:

• Cultural Awareness: Helps students understand and appreciate cultural differences in holiday traditions.
• Critical Thinking: Encourages analysis of the thematic elements of death and remembrance.
• Comparative Analysis: Strengthens the ability to compare and contrast cultural practices.

How to Use the Activity in Your Classroom:

1. Begin with the informational text to introduce Dia de los Muertos and Halloween.
2. Have students use the Venn diagram to compare the two holidays' traditions and themes.
3. Use the critical thinking questions to prompt classroom discussions or individual reflections.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.9: Analyze documents to compare and contrast key themes.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to convey complex ideas.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Outcomes:

• ELA.9.7(F): Analyze and compare themes across texts.
• ELA.9.12(C): Evaluate how different cultural backgrounds influence text meaning.