In their Spanish language class, students at Malta Montessori decorate calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) for Día de los Muertos, a holiday also known as Day of the Dead.
For more than a decade, the school has partnered with Capital Region Language Center to provide Spanish language instruction for students in Pre-K through third grade. Every fall, students prepare their own sugar skull while learning new words, singing songs and reading books together about the holiday.
Señora Gloria Explains Sugar Skulls on WRGB
Iconic Symbol of Celebration
The skulls are one of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, celebrated in Mexico and throughout Hispanic culture. People decorate calaveras de azúcar with colorful designs and sweet flavors to symbolize the sweetness of life and memories of those who have passed away.
Día de los Muertos honors the lives of family, friends and pets who have passed away. Names of deceased loved ones are sometimes written in icing on the skull’s forehead. The holiday coincides with All Saint’s Day, around the same time as Halloween. Children complete their own calaveras de azúcar to bring home as a decoration.
Gloria Batista, a CRLC Spanish language instructor, incorporate projects throughout the year to bring language and culture to life for her students.
Read About Spanish Language Partnership with Albany Elementary School
Providing World Language Classes at Local Schools
Malta Montessori is one of several schools in the area that rely on Capital Region Language Center for world language instruction, including after-school enrichment and EN/ESL (English as a New/Second Language). Others include:
• Academy of the Holy Names
• Albany City School District
• Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District
• Doane Stuart School
• Emma Willard School
• Saratoga Academy of the Arts and Sciences
• Saratoga Independent School
• Taylor School
In addition to teaching at schools. CRLC offers library story times, small group classes and one-on-one instruction for children. We teach a dozen languages, and our students range from toddlers through senior citizens. Learn more about our programs here.