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Inspired by 'Calaveras': Involving Middle-School Students in Writing about 'el Día de los Muertos' during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Title: Inspired by 'Calaveras': Involving Middle-School Students in Writing about 'el Día de los Muertos' during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Language: English
Authors: Ethan Sharp, Carolina Quiroga, Contributor, Ashlee Collins, Contributor
Source: Journal of Folklore and Education. 2021 8:122-131.
Availability: Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education. 56 East First Street. New York, NY 10003. e-mail: info@JFEpublications.org; Web site: https://JFEpublications.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Hispanic American Culture, Cultural Activities, Middle School Students, Writing Instruction, COVID-19, Pandemics, After School Programs, Story Telling, Art Education, Electronic Learning, Poetry, Low Income Students
Geographic Terms: Kentucky (Lexington)
ISSN: 2573-2072
Abstract: As fascination with "el Día de los Muertos" has grown in the U.S., the number of arts organizations and museums organizing public events for it increases every year, and in many cases, organizations are more committed to providing an entertainment experience rather than educating audiences about a traditional ritual. Amid these developments, the practice of reading and writing literary "calaveras" can refocus attention on the deeper meanings, traditions, and creative possibilities of the festival. This article describes the collaboration of Carolina Quiroga, a Colombian-born professional storyteller, with Ashlee Collins, an arts educator at the Living Arts and Science Center (LASC) in Lexington, Kentucky, the author, and other members of LASC's administrative team. The project guided a diverse group of Title I middle-school students in one of LASC's after-school programs through educational activities related to "el Día de los Muertos" in the fall of 2020. Because the project was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, Carolina and Ashlee interacted with students in a virtual classroom on Zoom. It was a surprise that one of the most successful activities was a lesson that introduced students to the poetry of "calaveras" and involved the students in writing their own. Drawing on observations of the after-school activities and interviews with Carolina and Ashlee, this article addresses how the project originated, what was learned from it, and how it can inspire further study and use of "calaveras" in museum educational programs. It is believed that programs involving calaveras can enrich the experience of "el Día de los Muertos" by inspiring different forms of vernacular creativity, providing more occasions for reflection, and building relationships between museum educators, students, and local communities.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1462585
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Inspired by 'Calaveras': Involving Middle-School Students in Writing about 'el Día de los Muertos' during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Folklore+and+Education%22"><i>Journal of Folklore and Education</i></searchLink>. 2021 8:122-131.
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  Data: Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education. 56 East First Street. New York, NY 10003. e-mail: info@JFEpublications.org; Web site: https://JFEpublications.org
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  Data: 2573-2072
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  Data: As fascination with "el Día de los Muertos" has grown in the U.S., the number of arts organizations and museums organizing public events for it increases every year, and in many cases, organizations are more committed to providing an entertainment experience rather than educating audiences about a traditional ritual. Amid these developments, the practice of reading and writing literary "calaveras" can refocus attention on the deeper meanings, traditions, and creative possibilities of the festival. This article describes the collaboration of Carolina Quiroga, a Colombian-born professional storyteller, with Ashlee Collins, an arts educator at the Living Arts and Science Center (LASC) in Lexington, Kentucky, the author, and other members of LASC's administrative team. The project guided a diverse group of Title I middle-school students in one of LASC's after-school programs through educational activities related to "el Día de los Muertos" in the fall of 2020. Because the project was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, Carolina and Ashlee interacted with students in a virtual classroom on Zoom. It was a surprise that one of the most successful activities was a lesson that introduced students to the poetry of "calaveras" and involved the students in writing their own. Drawing on observations of the after-school activities and interviews with Carolina and Ashlee, this article addresses how the project originated, what was learned from it, and how it can inspire further study and use of "calaveras" in museum educational programs. It is believed that programs involving calaveras can enrich the experience of "el Día de los Muertos" by inspiring different forms of vernacular creativity, providing more occasions for reflection, and building relationships between museum educators, students, and local communities.
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  Data: EJ1462585
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
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        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 122
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Hispanic American Culture
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Activities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Middle School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Writing Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
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      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: After School Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Story Telling
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      – SubjectFull: Art Education
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      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Poetry
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      – SubjectFull: Low Income Students
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      – SubjectFull: Kentucky (Lexington)
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      – TitleFull: Inspired by 'Calaveras': Involving Middle-School Students in Writing about 'el Día de los Muertos' during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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            NameFull: Carolina Quiroga, Contributor
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            NameFull: Ashlee Collins, Contributor
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