Hola Juniors! This week is going to be a ton of fun! I hope that you can make time for each of these activities because I have carefully planned them to bless your life, but I also understand that especially during Halloween week you might have other wonderful plans with family and friends. Just do your best, and enjoy the process! <3

Imprime tu lista de verificación (Print your Checklist)

Hablamos Español (let’s speak spanish)

Maybe you have guessed this by now, but this week we’re going to MEXICO!! But wait, you said it wrong. It’s pronounced like “meh-HEE-koh“, Or “mehico”.
¡Vamos a México! (Let’s go to Mexico!)

To travel to “Mehico” you need to speak the language! Speaking Spanish is so much fun. My favorite thing to say in Spanish is “¡No manches!”. I won’t tell you what it means, but I’ll give you an extra Vanbuck if you can use it correctly in class. It’s such a funny thing to say!

This video will teach you so many common phrases en español. Write down a few words you will use with your friends and family this week, then bring that list to class on Thursday because I want to hear you speaking español during Vanguard! I will give out Vanbucks for anyone who speaks Spanish.

¿Que es el dia de los Muertos? (What is Day of the Dead?)

Watch these short videos that explain our celebration this week, and be sure you can answer these questions: What is an ofrenda? What do you put on an ofrenda? Why are marigolds used in this celebration?

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Prepare to Make an Ofrenda

We are going to be making our own ofrenda in class this week! I want you to choose a relative that has passed on, and learn more about them. You will be cooking their favorite dish, and we will have a celebratory lunch with all of our ancestors’ favorite food. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. This sheet filled out about your ancestor
2. A picture of your ancestor
3. Something small that reminds you of your ancestor, like a figurine, a collectible item, or any little trinket that reminds you of them. If you don’t have a physical item, print a small picture of an item.
4. A food item to contribute to our almuerza (lunch). This should be something your ancestor loved to eat. Make sure to bring enough for everyone, because this is going to be our lunch.

Plan our class trip to Mexico!

Now here’s where things get REALLY fun! I want you to pretend that we are taking a Vanguard trip to Mexico together to participate in the Day of the Dead celebration, along with so many other fun things. Print this trip planner to get started.

Note: If you are able, it would be so fun for you to go wild with this project! You could print pictures, make a poster board, create a diorama, create postcards from your favorite destinations, or any other creative way to present your plan for our vacation. Whatever you decide to do, I will be so happy to see your best effort!

As you can see on the top of your trip planner, we are going to Mexico City from November 1-14. Look up how long the flight is to Mexico City, which is where the biggest Dia de los Muertos party takes place. As a bonus, can you find out how much the plane ticket is going to cost?

Here are the steps to plan our trip:

1. First, find out where Mexico is on Google Earth. Do a little exploring. How big is the country of Mexico compared to the United States? Which direction will we travel to get there?
2. Research what weather we can expect on our trip, so we know what to pack!
3. Look up what types of food are traditionally eaten during this festival. Look up the best rated restaurants in Mexico City. Choose a food or restaurant for us to eat on our trip, and write a little about it on your trip planner.
4. Mexico is famous all over the world for its ancient ruins. They are SPECTACULAR! I mean, truly boquiabierto (jaw-dropping)! Do some research about these ancient Ruins, and pick one for us to visit. Be sure to pick a good one! I don’t want to be bored on this trip. Write a little about it on your trip planner. If you want to go the extra mile, draw a little sketch of it, or bring us a picture to look at.
5. You are not going to believe the natural wonders in Mexico! If you’d like to read about some of them, this is a great list. Or you can do your own research. Check out my top destinations- I plan to swing from a vine- plunging into a cenote, have a picnic on the shores of a pink lake, immerse myself in the epic butterfly migration, and relax in the warm, crystal clear water of this beach. Choose your top natural wonder and put it on your trip planner.
6. Add any other adventure you’d like us to go on while in Mexico. Personally, eager to hang out in a hot spring on the edge of a cliff. Ahhhh, I can feel all of my worries melting away already.
7. Go back on Google Earth and explore each of the places you chose for us to visit.

I am muy emocionada (very excited) to hear all about your trip plans!

Halloween Party

We’ll have our Halloween party after our Dia De Los Muertos party. Please DO NOT come to Vanguard in your costume, just bring it in a bag. See you Thursday!

Adios!