Core Skills Analysis
Cultural Studies
- Learnt about Mexican traditions and celebrations, specifically the Day of the Dead as portrayed in the movie 'Coco'.
- Explored themes of family, remembrance, and cultural heritage through storytelling and visual representation.
- Observed the integration of music, art, and folklore in a cultural context.
- Gained insights into values like honoring ancestors and the importance of familial bonds.
Arts & Media Literacy
- Recognized narrative storytelling through animation and film as a medium for cultural expression.
- Identified the role of music, character design, and color palettes in building emotional connection and setting.
- Saw how symbolism and motifs (like marigold petals and skeletons) support thematic messages.
- Understood the impact of creative media on shaping understanding of diverse cultures.
Tips
To deepen understanding of the themes and culture presented in 'Coco,' encourage the student to research real-life Day of the Dead customs by creating a scrapbook or digital collage of images, symbols, and facts. Facilitate a family storytelling session where the student interviews relatives about their own family traditions or memories, connecting personally to the movie’s message. Integrate music by listening to traditional Mexican songs or learning basic rhythms on a simple instrument to appreciate cultural expression through sound. Finally, engage in an art project where the student designs their own altar or symbolic artwork inspired by the movie, fostering creativity while reinforcing cultural concepts.
Book Recommendations
- The Day of the Dead / El Día de los Muertos by Bob Barner: An illustrated book that introduces young readers to the vibrant Mexican celebration with simple, engaging explanations and colorful artwork.
- Coco: The Junior Novelization by Disney Book Group: A child-friendly retelling of the movie’s story that deepens comprehension and emotional connection to the characters and themes.
- Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales: While not about Día de los Muertos, this culturally rich picture book embraces storytelling and Mexican folktale traditions with humor and rhythm.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2 – Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through details.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3 – Describe how particular elements of a story interact (e.g., how setting shapes characters or plot).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.7 – Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story to watching a film adaptation.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1 – Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 6 topics and texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3 – Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Try This Next
- Create a quiz with questions about 'Coco' plot points, characters, and cultural symbols featured in the movie.
- Design a drawing or craft project inspired by Day of the Dead art, such as sugar skull masks or paper marigolds.