Looking for a new kind of Day of the Dead Activity in Spanish class? If you’re tired of the same old Día de Muertos kinds of things, here’s a new one to try! It’s called a Scavenger Hunt, and it involves students working in teams to solve a mystery!
What’s a Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt?
Essentially, it’s a reading comprehension passage! Accessible, comprehensible input marries cultural information about Day of the Dead with a mystery for students to solve! The reading passage is broken up into 10 cards. The teacher prints out the cards and hangs them around the room.
At the bottom of each card is a question, but the answer to that question will be found on another card. That’s what makes it a scavenger hunt! It’s a hands-on way for students to have a Day of the Dead Activity in class!
How Do Students Play?
To start the Day of the Dead activity, as a class, we read the instructions and the mission. These parts set the stage for what the mystery is and what their role is for solving it. It also explains how to grid answers. I always copy the answer sheet on the back of the instructions.
Next, students join with their partner or team and start reading any card. They must read several before they find an answer. They grid their answer on the answer sheet. While they’re reading, they’re learning about the practices and products related to Day of the Dead!
Last, once they have found all 10 answers, they use the shaded or circled letters from their answers. Students will unscramble these letters to answer the final question and solve the mystery!
How Long Does This Day of the Dead Activity Take?
It depends! I find that the first time my students do a scavenger hunt, it takes them a while to get the hang of how to play. Once they do, it goes pretty quickly. My guess is that 1-2 class periods is enough time to solve the mystery, and there is a hint card included with this game if you want to move things along!
But, if you have fast finishers, or if you want to extend the learning, there are several other follow-up activities included too!
- True/False Comprehension Activity
- Answer Key to True/False
- Summarize/Tell me in your own words activity
- Graphic Organizer for students (related to products and practices)
- Writing Follow-up: Explain why the ghost died the way he did!
How Do I Differentiate This Day of the Dead Activity?
No worries- it’s already done! You can get this scavenger hunt in English or in Spanish, or get the bundle with both. (I’m thinking about teachers with novice students and intermediate students having all of their courses prepped for several days! Yahoo!)
In addition, the provided hint card can be given to students who will need some extra help, so all of the bases are covered!
How Do I Try This Day of the Dead Activity?
If you are interested in trying out a scavenger hunt with your students, you can find them in 2 spots:
Here are the links on my TPT store!
Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt Reading Game Día de Muertos Gallery Walk Spanish/English Bundle
Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt Reading Game English Version Gallery Walk
Day of the Dead Día de Muertos Scavenger Hunt Reading Game Spanish
And here is the link to the bundle on my website store! (The resource is exactly the same, but on my website, I can set a sale! Get this bundle for just $6 until October 9th, 2024!
Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt Reading Game Día de Muertos Gallery Walk Spanish/English Bundle
